What is SLIP-39?
SLIP-39, developed by Trezor , is an innovative way to make your crypto backup more secure. Instead of a single seed phrase that you need to store somewhere, SLIP-39 divides your backup into multiple shares. You can store these shares dispersed or share them with trusted individuals. Only when a predetermined number of shares are combined can you restore your wallet.
In other words, even if someone finds one share, they still don't have access to your crypto. This greatly increases security.
Design and Safety
The idea behind SLIP-39 is simple yet powerful: spread risk.
- For example, you can have 5 shares created, of which at least 3 are needed to recover your wallet.
- This means you can store shares in different secure places, or even with family or friends.
- Even if you lose part of your wallet, it will still be recoverable, as long as you reach the agreed minimum threshold.
Using SLIP-39 makes it virtually impossible to lose access due to a single accident (such as fire or theft), while also protecting you against the risk of one person gaining too much power.
Which Trezor models support SLIP-39?
SLIP-39 is an advanced backup method that is n't supported by all Trezor models . Below are some models that support it:
- Trezor Model T – supports SLIP-39 from firmware version 2.7.2.
- Trezor Safe 3 – Supports SLIP-39 standard from June 2024.
- Trezor Safe 5 – supports SLIP-39 from launch.
Note: The Trezor Model One does not support SLIP-39. This model uses only the standard BIP39 backup.
Ease of use
Despite the added security, SLIP-39 is easy to use.
- Setup is done via the Trezor interface.
- You can choose the number of shares and the minimum threshold yourself.
- Restoring the wallet works the same as a normal seed phrase, except you enter multiple shares instead of one.
It gives you peace of mind that your backup is not dependent on a single point of failure.
Conclusion
Trezor's SLIP-39 (Shamir Backup) is an excellent choice for anyone looking for extra protection for their crypto. Instead of a single, vulnerable backup, you have multiple recovery options, distributed and flexible. This makes the system robust against both loss and theft.
For investors who take their digital assets seriously, the combination of the Trezor Safe 5 with SLIP-39 offers one of the safest and most reliable solutions on the market.
