Ledger Customer Data Exposed Through Payment Provider Global-e, But Wallet Security Remains Intact

Ledger, the world’s leading hardware wallet manufacturer, is confronting a significant data exposure incident stemming from its third-party payment processor, Global-e. Security systems detected unauthorized access to customer information stored on Global-e’s cloud infrastructure, affecting an unspecified number of Ledger users’ personal details including names and contact information. The breach underscores the risks inherent in relying on third-party service providers, though Ledger has moved to clarify that the incident did not compromise its core platform or user assets.

What Was Compromised in the Global-e Incident

Global-e, an e-commerce platform serving major retailers and brands worldwide, notified customers of the security breach after identifying unusual activity within its systems. The investigation revealed that unauthorized parties accessed order data and personal information—specifically names and contact details—from Global-e’s information systems. However, payment card data was not involved in the compromise. The incident also affected customers of other brands using Global-e’s merchant services, suggesting a broad systemic vulnerability rather than a Ledger-specific attack. Notably, Global-e retained independent forensic experts to conduct a comprehensive investigation and has implemented additional security controls to prevent future unauthorized access.

What Remained Secure: Ledger’s Core Infrastructure

In an official response to media inquiries, Ledger emphasized several critical points about the scope of the breach. The company stated that Global-e does not maintain access to users’ private keys, blockchain balances, seed phrases (the critical 24-word recovery mechanism), or any secrets related to digital assets. Since Ledger operates as a self-custodial platform, users retain complete control over their cryptographic credentials. Furthermore, Ledger’s own systems, software, and hardware infrastructure were not compromised. The exposure was strictly limited to order transaction data processed through Global-e, meaning cryptocurrency holdings and wallet functionality remain entirely secure. Ledger clarified that it is collaborating with Global-e to identify and contact all affected users with relevant information about the incident.

Historical Context: Previous Security Incidents at Ledger

This is not the first time Ledger has faced a data security challenge. In 2020, the company experienced a significant breach through its e-commerce partner Shopify, which exposed personal information of approximately 270,000 customers. More recently, in 2023, Ledger became the target of a targeted hack that resulted in the theft of nearly $500,000 and compromised several decentralized finance applications connected to compromised accounts. These precedents demonstrate an ongoing pattern of third-party vendor vulnerabilities affecting the hardware wallet provider, despite Ledger’s efforts to maintain a secure primary infrastructure.

Industry-Wide Implications and User Precautions

The incident reflects a broader challenge facing cryptocurrency service providers: the security risks introduced by integrating with mainstream payment and e-commerce platforms. While Ledger’s self-custodial design protects digital assets from compromise, personal information and transaction histories remain vulnerable when processed through centralized third parties. Ledger has urged users to remain vigilant and emphasizes its ongoing commitment to fighting against fraudsters and bad actors attempting to compromise user information across the cryptocurrency and e-commerce sectors. The company continues to assert that despite these third-party vulnerabilities, its core hardware wallet technology and the assets secured within remain protected and under user control.