Building the world’s first
Open Source Secure Element
The Open Source Secure Element (OSSE) project aims to develop the first fully open-source secure element based on the OpenTitan framework, designed to address critical security and transparency needs in the crypto ecosystem. One of the first and most important applications would be an insurable crypto hardware wallet.
Project Overview
This project will deliver an open source secure element and hardware wallet that provides:
- Robust support for Ethereum standards, such as EIP-712 for transaction signing
- No more blind signing of transactions
- Blockchain-based supply chain documentation to ensure trust and verifiability
- Integration with tailored insurance solutions for non-custodial wallets
- An affordable and transparent alternative to proprietary wallets
The secure element at the core of the project will also provide a key component for numerous cryptographic applications, including Complete Knowledge Proofs and validator hardware.
Key Features
- Open Source Design: Fully transparent hardware and software components
- Secure Element: Based on the OpenTitan framework for silicon root-of-trust
- Insurability: First non-custodial wallet with insurance capabilities
- Supply Chain Transparency: Blockchain-based documentation of hardware components
- Enhanced Security: Support for EIP-712 and elimination of blind signing
Project Status
The project is currently in its initial development phase, with significant groundwork laid to establish the technical foundation. Development boards for the OpenTitan project are available, including the ChipWhisperer CW340 FPGA board, which will serve as the basis for the hardware wallet’s prototype.
Etherisc has signed an LoI with a leading german security research facility, which will be revealed when the project is funded.