BOLOS hardware wallet OS

BOLOS is a custom operating system created for hardware wallets to run directly inside a tamper-resistant Secure Element chip, and its job is to manage apps and protect private keys. It runs each application in isolation so one app cannot access the data of another. It keeps the 24-word recovery phrase and private keys separated from apps at all times. The operating system is purpose-built rather than generic because generic OSes on Secure Elements are not designed for signing crypto transactions securely. This custom design lets the device maintain a strict boundary between user secrets and application code. BOLOS supports multiple independent applications so third-party developers can create wallet apps without touching core secrets. This multi-app model avoids the risks of monolithic firmware where a single flaw can compromise the whole device. The system implements a Root of Trust that lets users and host software verify the genuineness of the device and the authenticity of app installations and firmware updates. Transactions must be confirmed on the device itself, and the secure screen is driven by the Secure Element so the host computer cannot spoof or alter what is shown. This physical verification step strengthens protection against remote attacks. BOLOS also simplifies key operations such as generating keys, deriving addresses, and producing signatures inside the Secure Element so private material never leaves the chip. The OS offers a controlled API to apps so developers can interact with cryptographic functions without gaining access to raw keys. Security is layered: BOLOS works alongside a PIN code, a tamper-resistant chip, a secure display, and regular security testing to form a comprehensive model. Many devices using such systems undergo audits and internal review to find and fix weaknesses before wide release. For users, the result is a clearer separation between everyday software on a computer and the sensitive operations that must remain offline and safe. Think of the device as a quiet archive where body and mind meet the ledger of the self, and where transactions are confirmed with a touch in a protected space. This focused architecture makes hardware wallets both more flexible for developers and safer for users who want true self-custody of digital assets.