4 Min Read 
Introduction
Privacy isn’t just about encryption — it’s about protection when it counts.
Digital freedom means little if you’re vulnerable in the real world. Whether you’re being watched, pressured, or traveling with assets, crypto users today face threats that go far beyond phishing and malware.
That’s why we built Duress Mode — a feature designed to give you a discreet exit strategy when privacy isn’t optional, and control could mean the difference between safety and exposure.
Why We Built It
In many parts of the world, simply owning crypto can make you a target. Being forced to unlock a wallet at a checkpoint, protest, or while crossing a border isn’t just theoretical — it’s a lived experience for many Edge users.
Duress Mode was first inspired by a request from a high-net-worth crypto user who frequently travels and wanted a way to reduce exposure in case of coercion or physical threat. Their request aligned with Edge’s core mission: to empower individuals with privacy-preserving tools that keep users in control — even under pressure.
While traditional self-custody protects you from online risks, Duress Mode adds protection in real-world scenarios, when handing over access may be unavoidable.
What Is Duress Mode?
Duress Mode is a stealth login feature that lets you enter a decoy account using a separate PIN — your Duress PIN. This decoy environment is fully functional and designed to look and feel like your regular account.
When Duress Mode is active:
- Your real wallets and balances are hidden
- Only wallets you’ve created under Duress Mode will appear
- Transactions are real and verifiable on-chain
- The app shows no visible signs of being in Duress Mode
- Other Edge accounts in your app remain visible to maintain realism — so Duress Mode must be activated on each account you want protected
This allows you to comply with demands or avoid suspicion — all without revealing your actual assets.
Important: Because transactions in Duress Mode are real, we strongly recommend only funding your decoy wallet with a small, non-critical amount of crypto.
When to Use Duress Mode
Duress Mode is designed for situations where control and privacy could be compromised by physical threats or coercion, including:
- While traveling or crossing borders
- During protests, checkpoints, or arrests
- If someone is watching you unlock your device or wallet
- As part of a personal safety plan for cases like robbery or threats of physical violence
It’s a feature built for peace of mind — the kind you hope you’ll never need, but will be grateful to have if the time comes.
How It Works
Using Duress Mode is simple and discreet:
- Set up Duress Mode individually for each account within Edge
- Open Edge and enter your Duress PIN instead of your regular PIN to enable Duress Mode
- You’ll be taken into a separate account environment, where only the decoy wallets you create with Duress Mode are visible
- You can send, receive, and interact with crypto as usual
- While Duress Mode is enabled, you will remain in Duress Mode even when logging in using biometric or password-only login.
- To exit Duress Mode and return to your real account, log out and re-enter your correct PIN on any account that has Duress Mode set up
Important: We recommend practicing your Duress PIN at least twice a year to ensure it’s memorized and ready to use in a high-pressure moment. A tool is only useful if you’re confident using it when it counts.
While the setup is easy, the results are powerful: Duress Mode gives you a believable way to comply — without exposing your real assets.
View the full setup guide in our support article: How To Use Duress Mode in Edge.
Final Thought
Duress Mode is a privacy-first feature built to serve the needs of real people in unpredictable situations. Like a password recovery key or a 2FA backup code, it’s something you set up hoping you never have to use, but you’ll be grateful it’s there when you do.
If you value real-world security as much as on-chain privacy, Duress Mode belongs in your toolkit.
Because when privacy isn’t optional, Duress Mode is your Edge.
