MPC vs Hardware Wallet: SDK Bundle Size & Performance Impact

Lightweight client libraries: SDKs like Web3Auth (Torus) and Fireblocks typically add < 150 KB to your bundle, as cryptographic operations are handled server-side. This matters for web and mobile dApps where initial load time directly impacts user retention.

Near-instant transaction signing: No physical device interaction means signing latency is < 100ms, comparable to a standard API call. This is critical for high-frequency DeFi protocols (e.g., GMX, Aave) and gaming applications where user flow cannot be interrupted.

Large native dependencies: Integrating Ledger Live SDK or Trezor Connect can bloat your app with device communication protocols, USB/HID libraries, and firmware parsers, increasing bundle size by 2-5 MB. This is a significant constraint for light clients and browser extensions.

Physical device bottleneck: Every signature requires user interaction with the hardware device, adding 2-30 seconds of latency per transaction. This creates a poor fit for scalable retail applications but is a mandatory trade-off for institutional cold storage and high-value treasury management where air-gapped security is paramount.

Lightweight Integration: Pure cryptographic libraries like Web3Auth's tKey (~150KB) or Lit Protocol's client SDKs add minimal overhead. This matters for web and mobile apps where every kilobyte impacts user acquisition costs and load times, especially in bandwidth-constrained regions.

In-App Speed: Signing operations execute in milliseconds within the app's native runtime (JavaScript, Swift, Kotlin). This matters for high-frequency dApps like gaming or trading platforms where UX depends on sub-second transaction signing without external device handoffs.

No SDK Bloat: Integration relies on standard protocols (USB, Bluetooth, WalletConnect) and system-level drivers. The application bundle includes only a few KBs for connection logic. This matters for security-first applications where minimizing attack surface in the client code is paramount.

Device Handoff Penalty: Each signing requires communication with an external device, adding 500ms-2s+ for user confirmation prompts and Bluetooth/USB serialization. This matters for consumer-facing dApps where extra steps and latency directly increase user drop-off rates during critical flows.

Specific advantage: SDKs like Web3Auth or Particle Network typically add < 100 KB to your bundle, compared to 1-2 MB for full hardware wallet libraries. This matters for web and mobile dApps where initial load time directly impacts user retention and conversion rates.

Specific advantage: No external device dependency enables < 2-second transaction signing flows. This matters for high-frequency DeFi interactions (e.g., GMX, Uniswap) and gaming dApps where session-based logins and seamless interactions are critical for user experience.

Specific advantage: Private keys are generated and stored in a secure element (SE) or TEE, completely isolated from the network and application runtime. This matters for custodians, treasuries, and high-value DeFi positions where the threat model prioritizes absolute key isolation over convenience.