Zach Herbert 🇺🇸

"Humans need to remain in control of these powerful systems" says @zherbert about security in a post-AI world. That's the design philosophy behind @FOUNDATIONdvcs "Human Authority Hardware" -- an evolved device that supports key management for more than just Bitcoin.

@JesseDLandry @FOUNDATIONdvcs @FulgurVentures @arche_capital @KenOfFoundation 🫡

Autonomous systems are moving faster than trust infrastructure. @FOUNDATIONdvcs raised $6.4M led by @FulgurVentures, with @arche_capital joining, as @zherbert, @KenOfFoundation, and Jacob Johnston build Human Authority Hardware for AI authorization, identity, authentication, and digital trust. Passport Prime combines open-source hardware, KeyOS, encrypted Bluetooth, FIDO security keys, 2FA storage, and encrypted file storage into one approval layer. The next AI security winners will not just protect systems. They will make sure humans still control the keys.

@PalmerLuckey @AI_EmeraldApple Working on it at @FOUNDATIONdvcs for the security side of things. All manufactured in USA. Next gen Rust microkernel secure computing platform. We call the category Human Authority Hardware.

@AI_EmeraldApple This is why we need American-made computers and phones.

I don't think I'll ever trust Chinese hardware when their products can contain spyware chips that cannot be defended against. These are smaller than the lead of a pencil, and about the size of a small SMD capacitor or resistor on a board. A lot of sensitive hardware is on the U.S. Entity List and the export bans list. Even though it hasn't been definitively proven to be the case that this hacking chip is real, there have been documented cases of Chinese-made IoT devices "calling home" and sending packets of data to an unknown remote server in China. Although they say that it's all in the firmware/software level, I just don't trust it when a known vector exists beyond root-level hardware hijacking, dual-use chip microphones, and various other things. The part that drives my skepticism up the most is that China’s National Intelligence Law obligates companies to assist state intelligence when asked... and they have NO option to opt-out.

@JakeBlockchain @FOUNDATIONdvcs Can’t wait for you to drop the pod! Was great catching up.

The latest device from @FOUNDATIONdvcs is a fasinating take on hardware security. Zach dropped many hot takes like this on the latest pod.

Using 2FA on Passport Prime 🔥 So simple yet so secure.

The KeyOS SDK is officially open. Build: • Bitcoin security apps • offline auth systems • trusted approval flows • AI agent controls • encrypted credential tools Then run them on dedicated hardware with a trusted display. Honestly curious: what would you build first?

We're talking @SpaceX IPO, @CathedraBitcoin x @Sphere3D merger, @FOUNDATIONdvcs raise Guests: @FarmahTom, @zherbert, @StephenGlagola

BLOCKSPACE LIVE GUEST: @zherbert CEO @FOUNDATIONdvcs 📍 X & Youtube 🗓️ 12p EST

If you build it, They will come! ⚡️ We spent the whole episode talking about real product details instead of the usual “move your coins off exchanges” sermon. Because Passport Prime is trying to become the last security device most people will need: Bitcoin wallet + 2FA authenticator + password manager + encrypted storage + Nostr key holder + future app platform. “In ten years I’m not sure there will even be a separate hardware wallet market anymore.” - @zherbert Bitcoin Takeover S17E24 with @FOUNDATIONdvcs

New funding, new category, Passport Prime is now generally available, and the KeyOS SDK is in beta!

FOUNDATION RAISES $6.4M, LAUNCHES “HUMAN AUTHORITY HARDWARE” FOR THE AI ERA Foundation announced a new $6.4M funding round led by Fulgur Ventures, bringing total funding to $16.5M. The company also opened general availability for Passport Prime, its new American-manufactured security device designed to authorize high-stakes digital actions beyond traditional Bitcoin self-custody. Foundation says the rise of AI agents is changing the security model entirely. Instead of just protecting private keys, the company is expanding into identity, multi-factor authentication, and AI agent authorization through its KeyOS platform. AI agents can now move money, deploy code, access credentials, and operate across cloud infrastructure at machine speed. Foundation argues that browser prompts, phone notifications, and software-based approval systems are no longer sufficient when the AI and the approval mechanism exist in the same potentially compromised environment. Passport Prime is being positioned as the first “Human Authority Hardware™” device, requiring explicit human approval on dedicated hardware before sensitive actions can occur.

Talk about EARLY. Foundation Devices latest hardware release, Passport Prime, is a very interesting take on the future of securing your digital life. Sitting down with @zherbert for round 2 in 30 minutes. Hit me with any questions.

Human authority is the missing layer of the agentic era. Passport Prime is the first Human Authority Hardware. • $6.4M raised led by Fulgur Ventures • Passport Prime is shipping next day, worldwide. • KeyOS is open to developers The trust layer for the AI era is here 🧵

Prime Time is officially a wrap.✨ Over the last 6 weeks, we’ve gone deep on Passport Prime: hardware, security, QuantumLink, backups, apps, 2FA, encrypted storage, and everything in between. This clip shows just how simple Prime is to use day-to-day, from navigating the home screen to accessing your apps and security tools in seconds. Huge thank you to everyone who joined us live each week. 🧡 Missed a session? Every Prime Time episode is now live on our YouTube as a full Passport Prime guide series. Link in comments 👇

Would you believe it.. Encrypted Bluetooth! @FOUNDATIONdvcs @zherbert

La Plataforma física de Seguridad Personal que Protege Toda tu Vida Digital: Foundation Passport Prime Nunca había visto un dispositivo similar y sinceramente, las primeras impresiones me han gustado bastante. Primeras impresiones👇 youtu.be/9tlTX-RSM-w

Physical security on Passport Prime The entire device is glued shut like a modern smartphone with an always-on active tamper circuit running through multiple pins on the chassis and screen. Try to pry it open and it wipes the seed from the secure element in microseconds and even if you cut power or freeze it with liquid nitrogen (it detects the temperature drop). Zach: “We made the choice most hardware wallet companies won’t make.” No user-replaceable battery, but insane tamper resistance. Would you trade easy battery replacement for this kind of physical attack protection? Bitcoin Takeover S17E24 with @zherbert from @FOUNDATIONdvcs

@cryptoquick Your code still works! Anyone who purchases with it will get a free bumper case, usually worth $19

Some other thoughts grok.com/share/bGVnYWN5… Let me know if my discount code still works: LOWTIMEPREF

@cryptoquick @FOUNDATIONdvcs Oh man I didn’t think about how the avalanche noise source makes use of quantum tunneling…we may need to update our marketing. Did you get your hands on a dev unit yet? Can send you.

Some of the best HWWs in the space. They can generate seed entropy using real quantum tunneling, too. And they have QuantumLink, to make Bluetooth secure with ML-KEM encryption keys. QR codes might be a poor UX with future PQ signatures. @FOUNDATIONdvcs @zherbert