Ngrave releases ZERO firmware 1.8, adds Polygon token support and open-source QR protocol

Ngrave has shipped firmware version 1.8 for its ZERO hardware wallet, bringing two headline changes: a brand-new open-source Universal QR Protocol that replaces the wallet’s older communication method, and full token support on the Polygon network. The update, which also applies to the companion LIQUID app, went live on August 25. For a company that has built its brand around air-gapped security (the ZERO has no WiFi, Bluetooth, or USB data connection), the way it talks to the outside world through QR codes is arguably its most important feature. This update overhauls that entire layer. What the Universal QR Protocol actually changes The core idea is straightforward: every piece of data exchanged between the ZERO wallet and the LIQUID app now flows through a single, standardized QR protocol that anyone can inspect. The protocol is released under the MIT license, which means other wallet makers, security researchers, or curious developers can read the code, fork it, or audit it without asking permission. The update also brings faster animated QR scanning, a practical improvement for anyone who has ever held their phone awkwardly in front of a hardware wallet screen waiting for the c...