Florin Cocos, an electronics design manager hailing from Romania, embarked on a unique venture in 2018. He crafted his own do-it-yourself (DIY) version of the popular cryptocurrency wallet, Trezor, from scratch. Remarkably, he accomplished this without having access to an authentic Trezor device.
Cocos his DIY journey on his YouTube channel called Voltlog. His project involved building a DIY Trezor Model One using electronic components that he procured from suppliers such as Farnell. Cocos sourced a microcontroller and printed circuit board (PCB) from a Chinese manufacturing facility, documented obtaining the necessary design files from Trezor's open-source GitHub repository. He mentioned that these components could be acquired from reputable dealers like Farnell, DigiKey, RS, Newark, TME, or even online marketplaces like AliExpress or eBay for the OLED screen.
Even after five years since sharing his DIY Trezor video, Cocos remains enthusiastic about his homemade encryption device. In an interview on September 19, he expressed his trust in his DIY equipment over commercially purchased alternatives. Notably, Cocos didn't undertake this project primarily due to Trezor's market availability; rather, he aimed to raise awareness about open-source projects.
Cocos firmly believes that open-source design is gaining popularity and represents the future. He emphasized the control it provides over security aspects and the satisfaction of building something yourself. His personal motivation to embark on this project stemmed from the idea of creating something useful.
The entire process of constructing and installing firmware on the DIY Trezor wallet consumed around 10 hours, excluding the time taken to receive the PCB and other components. Evaluating the project, generating necessary Gerber files, ordering components, and assembling the PCB took roughly 8 hours . The remaining 2 hours were spent on flashing the firmware and ensuring its functionality.
According to Cocos, the hardware assembly was the straightforward part of the process. The real challenge was flashing the firmware and making it compatible with the associated app. While the project timeline might suggest it's not overly complex, Cocos emphasized that it's far from a straightforward task for the average user.
In fact, he believes it would be nearly impossible for an average user with no electronics knowledge to construct such a device. Cocos rated the difficulty level at nearly 10 on a scale of 1 to 10. He acknowledged the potential for streamlining the process but highlighted the accompanying security risks related to supply chain and manufacturing vulnerabilities.
Attempting a DIY Trezor without the necessary expertise, Cocos warned, could result in significant security risks. He stated that individuals with modest electronics experience could enhance their chances of success with just one to two years of tinkering at a moderate pace.
Cocos emphasized the importance of expertise and cautioned against attempting such a project without a basic understanding of electronics. In the cryptocurrency world, counterfeit hardware wallets have been a concern, prompting manufacturers like Trezor to encourage customers to purchase only from official vendors.
In regions where hardware wallet shipments face obstacles like sanctions, the open-source nature of devices like Trezor could potentially offer a solution. Josef Tetek, a Bitcoin analyst at Trezor, noted that Trezor is entirely open source, allowing anyone to create their own device using the schematics and materials listed on GitHub.
