[Review] UKISS Hugware seed phrase-free crypto hardware wallet

Home-grown technology company, UKISS Technology recently launched Hugware, a seed phrase-free crypto hardware wallet that seeks to safeguard digital assets, crypto assets, and documents securely with their patented recovery technology that eliminates the common pain points of conventional cold wallets.

Touted as the world’s first seed phrase-free wallet, the UKISS Hugware retails at US$139 and comprises an Authentication Key (A-Key), a Rescue Key (R-Key), with a five year warranty.

Instead of a recovery phase commonly used in crypto cold wallet to unlock access when you forgot your password, Hugware’s R-Key does that for you after you set up the Hugware hardware wallet while the A-Key is for daily use.

After you are done with setting up, the R-Key is to be stored away securely in your home or in a safe location. You would not need it again unless you forgot your password.

The setting up may appear complicated because of the many steps involved, but it really isn’t that hard. The learning curve is not much harder than setting up a cold wallet like Metamask.

The launch is timely, given the recent demise of many crypto companies like Voyager, Luna and Hodlnaut, not the mention the prolific scams and frauds that constantly plague the Web 3 space. “Not your keys, not your coins”, is the buzz phase going around. One solution is to store all your crypto assets in a hardware wallet instead of leaving them with a third-party company.

Hugware currently supports ten networks – Bitcoin, Ethereum, Tron, BNB Chain, Ripple, Bitcoin Cash, Dash, Ethereum Classic, Litecoin and TOOL. This would cover most of the major coins, but is limited if you invest a lot in altcoins and NFTs. The latter is not supported at the moment but will be ready by the end of the year, according to the Development Roadmap in their whitepaper.

Founded in 2021, UKISS Technology is a cryptography-based security startup that aims to make enterprise-trusted data and asset security accessible to everyone through Hugware and its forthcoming ecosystem.

Founders James Gan, Desmond Hsu, Ben Chan and Tan Ze Chong, claim to have over 30 years of experience in blockchain, data security and FinTech between them and are seeking to pioneer next-generation wallet solutions that enhance the strength of cyber protection for Web 2 users, while equipping them with the necessary tools for a gradual and inevitable transition to Web 3.

To date, UKISS Technology’s self-recovery technology is said to have been tried and tested in the past decade amongst major FinTech players as well as leading medical healthcare providers and enterprises based in the APAC region. They also have an active community of more than 13,000 enthusiasts who regularly contribute on their Telegram channel. By developing a decentralised security ecosystem built on blockchain, UKISS Technology seeks to offer security, convenience, and autonomy in the management digital assets.

How Hugware Works

Each Hugware comes in a pair. During setup, the master seed is generated in the Authentication Key (A-Key) and synchronised with the Rescue Key (R-Key). The A-Key is used to manage crypto assets, and is the gatekeeper of your private keys. Simply plug it into your device to provide authentication or confirm transactions.

The R-Key can be kept for when users need to recover access in the future, and is your life-saving gizmo. Plug it into your device to recover private keys in case you lose the A-Key.

The R-Key backs up your master seed for fast wallet recovery.

Featuring a sleek and streamlined design, the A-Key and R-key are pocket-sized, enabling users to easily carry it around wherever they go. Hugware also comes with USB and USB-C connectors that users can plug into their devices.

Additionally, Hugware comes equipped with a security system that is programmed to lock the device after 10 failed logins. This offers an added layer of security in the event you lose either one of your keys.

The fuss-free solution supports multiple blockchain networks and is available on desktop for Windows and MacOS, and soon on Android.

UKISS Technology is also rewarding buyers of the Hugware and other UKISS services with KISS Tokens to offset their next UKISS purchase.