WISePhone Genesis, Android based Blockchain Phone, Launched in USA

PC: WiseKey, Photo of Nasdaq Tower Ad in Times Square, NY 11-21-18

WISePhone Genesis, an android based blockchain phone, model was introduced in the USA by WISeKey International Holding Ltd and showcased on the Nasdaq Tower at Times Square.

Earlier this November, WISeKey released its Android-based WISePhone and claimed to be the First Ever Secure Blockchain Phone with Cryptocurrency Payment Capabilities.

WISePhone Genesis 

The entry-level WISePhone Genesis model can be used a business and/or personal phone to secure communications such as email, digital identity, and data on the cloud. A Personal Cybersecurity Hub to put users in control of application permissions and offers separate secure environments to protect and separate personal and business data.

WISeKey's Telecommunication Services Provider status under OFCOM, the Swiss Federal Office of Communications, allows the company to deploy mobile phone voice encryption solutions. The company deployed voice encryption solutions as WISeKey is recognized as Telecommunication Services Provider status under OFCOM, the Swiss Federal Office of Communications, claimed the announcement.

PC: Wisekey

WISePhone Block

The WISePhone Block edition (available in March 2019) comes with pre-loaded with native WISeID and WISetalk, WISeKey’s industry-leading, digital identity and communication app that offers encrypted, secure voice calls, conference calling, text and file transfers. WISePhone integrates WISeKey’s innovative hardware and software technologies bringing to market the first and only smartphone powered by WISeCoin cryptocurrency Blockchain technology.
WISePhone integrates WISeKey's innovative hardware and software technologies. It brings first and the only smartphone powered by WISeCoin cryptocurrency Blockchain technology platform. WISePhone will also include a native Wallet. However, the wallet service will be only activated once WISeCoin AG receives clearance from the Swiss financial market regulator, FINMA, to issue a Security Token Offering (STO).

WISePhone's native Wallet is equipped with an HSM (Hardware Security Module) device. The wallet integrates the WISeKey SuisseID Digital Identity. It helps in enabling cloud-based qualified signing capabilities certified by the Swiss Government and in compliance with the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

The WISePhone Wallet can also be used to conduct secure contactless payments. It will use WISeKey's Blockchain-as-a-Service ("BaaS") technology. The announcement claims that the wallet is compatible with most of the existing Blockchain technologies.

WISeTalk, offering voice and text encrypted communication, is supported on WISePhone. There are other suite of applications that offer similar services due to sophisticated security mechanisms and advanced end-to-end encryption technologies.

WISeID helps secure users' data and digital assets protected inside an encrypted enclave (replicated in a secure swiss cloud). Another technology, WISeAccess provides additional secure authentication factors to access the WISePhone suite of applications.

Executive Opinion

CEO of WISeKey, Carlos Moreira, said, "Through WISePhone, users are in control of their Identity and Data, instead of the service providers. Essentially, WISePhone is an Android phone like any other with all the same functionalities, but it has an additional locked area that is protected from Android's security issues. This unique feature, allows users to securely hold cryptocurrency or other crypto assets like non-fungible tokens, and also secure email and voice exchanges.  It's a unique concept that brings over 20 years of WISeKey's cybersecurity and IoT experience into one phone."

WISePhone Genesis will be  available on December 15th at a purchase price of $555 while WisePhone Block model will be available in March 2019 at a purchase price of $888.

WISePhone Genesis and WISePhone Block can be ordered here.