Ledger

Secure your crypto with confidence
Start your Ledger journey today

Join millions of users who trust Ledger hardware wallets to protect their digital assets. Simple setup, maximum security.

Ledger Nano X

Premium hardware wallet with Bluetooth connectivity

Bank-level security
Offline storage
Easy setup
5M+
Users worldwide
5500+
Supported coins
100%
Secure
Setup in 3 minutes
Trusted by experts

Your Complete Guide to Getting Started

Setting up your Ledger hardware wallet is easier than you think. Follow our step-by-step guide to secure your cryptocurrency in minutes.

Why Choose Ledger Hardware Wallets?

In the rapidly evolving world of cryptocurrency, security remains the paramount concern for digital asset holders. Ledger hardware wallets represent the gold standard in crypto security, offering an uncompromising solution that keeps your private keys offline and away from potential threats. Unlike software wallets that remain connected to the internet, Ledger devices provide true cold storage, ensuring your cryptocurrencies are protected even when your computer is compromised.

Understanding Hardware Wallet Technology

Hardware wallets utilize a specialized secure element chip, similar to those found in credit cards and passports. This chip generates and stores your private keys in an isolated environment, making it virtually impossible for hackers to extract them remotely. When you need to sign a transaction, the process occurs entirely within the device, and only the signed transaction (not your private keys) is transmitted to your computer.

The Importance of Self-Custody

The cryptocurrency motto "not your keys, not your coins" emphasizes the critical importance of maintaining control over your private keys. When you store cryptocurrency on exchanges or web-based wallets, you're essentially trusting a third party with your assets. History has shown numerous instances of exchanges being hacked or going bankrupt, resulting in permanent loss of user funds. Ledger hardware wallets ensure you maintain complete control over your digital assets.

Multi-Currency Support and Ecosystem

Modern Ledger devices support over 5,500 cryptocurrencies and tokens, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and thousands of altcoins. The Ledger Live application serves as your central hub for managing all supported assets, providing portfolio tracking, market data, and direct access to decentralized applications (DApps) through Ledger's secure connection protocols.

Security Best Practices

Always purchase Ledger devices directly from the official website or authorized retailers. Never buy second-hand devices, and always verify the device's authenticity using the built-in attestation check before setting up your wallet.

Step 1: Download Ledger Live

Ledger Live is the official companion application that enables you to manage your Ledger hardware wallet. Available for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android, the app provides a secure interface for viewing balances, sending transactions, and managing your cryptocurrency portfolio.

Download from ledger.com/live
Verify application signature
Install on your preferred platform
Pro Tips for Advanced Security
  • • Use a passphrase for additional security layer
  • • Enable two-factor authentication in Ledger Live
  • • Regularly update device firmware
  • • Test recovery process with small amounts

Advanced Features and DeFi Integration

Beyond simple cryptocurrency storage, Ledger devices seamlessly integrate with the decentralized finance (DeFi) ecosystem. Through Ledger Live's built-in WalletConnect feature, users can securely connect to popular DeFi protocols like Uniswap, Aave, and Compound while maintaining complete control of their private keys. This integration allows you to participate in yield farming, liquidity mining, and other DeFi activities without compromising security.

Staking and Earning Rewards

Ledger Live supports native staking for multiple Proof-of-Stake cryptocurrencies, including Ethereum 2.0, Cardano, Solana, and Polkadot. Users can earn staking rewards directly through their hardware wallet while maintaining complete security. The staking process is simplified through Ledger's partnerships with reputable validators, ensuring optimal rewards with minimal technical complexity.

NFT Management and Display

The latest versions of Ledger Live include comprehensive NFT (Non-Fungible Token) management capabilities. Users can view, organize, and transfer their NFT collections directly within the application. The platform supports major NFT standards including ERC-721 and ERC-1155 tokens across Ethereum and compatible blockchains, making it easy to manage digital art, collectibles, and gaming assets securely.

Uncompromising security for your digital assets

Every Ledger device is built with multiple layers of security to ensure your cryptocurrency remains protected against all known attack vectors

Secure Element Chip

Military-grade security chip protects your private keys from physical and remote attacks.

Cold Storage

Your private keys never leave the device and remain completely offline.

PIN Protection

Multi-layer PIN protection with automatic device wipe after failed attempts.

Visual Verification

Verify every transaction on the device screen before confirming.

Zero Hacks

No successful attacks on Ledger devices since 2014

CC EAL5+

Highest security certification available

10+ Years

Industry-leading security expertise

How Ledger Keeps You Safe

1

Generate Keys Offline

Your private keys are generated using true random number generation inside the secure element chip, ensuring they never exist anywhere else.

2

Sign Securely

All transaction signing happens within the secure element. Your private keys never leave the device, even during transactions.

3

Verify Everything

Every transaction is displayed on the device screen for manual verification before confirmation, preventing malware attacks.

Support for 5,500+ cryptocurrencies

From Bitcoin to the latest DeFi tokens, Ledger supports the entire crypto ecosystem. Manage all your digital assets in one secure place.

B

Bitcoin

BTC

The original cryptocurrency

E

Ethereum

ETH

Smart contract platform

A

Cardano

ADA

Proof-of-stake blockchain

S

Solana

SOL

High-performance blockchain

M

Polygon

MATIC

Ethereum scaling solution

A

Avalanche

AVAX

Fast consensus protocol

D

Polkadot

DOT

Multi-chain protocol

L

Chainlink

LINK

Decentralized oracle network

5,500+

Supported cryptocurrencies and tokens

50+

Blockchain networks supported

Weekly

New tokens added regularly

Seamless DeFi & Web3 Integration

Connect your Ledger device to popular DeFi protocols, NFT marketplaces, and Web3 applications while maintaining complete security over your private keys.

U

Uniswap

O

OpenSea

M

MetaMask

W

WalletConnect

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about getting started with Ledger hardware wallets and securing your cryptocurrency.

A hardware wallet is a physical device that stores your cryptocurrency private keys offline, providing the highest level of security for your digital assets. Unlike software wallets or exchange accounts, hardware wallets ensure your private keys never touch the internet, protecting them from hackers, malware, and online threats. With billions of dollars lost to crypto hacks each year, a hardware wallet is essential for anyone serious about protecting their investment.

Setting up your Ledger device typically takes 10-15 minutes. The process involves downloading Ledger Live, connecting your device, creating a PIN, writing down your 24-word recovery phrase, and installing cryptocurrency apps. The most time-consuming step is carefully writing down and verifying your recovery phrase, which is crucial for wallet security and recovery.

If you lose your Ledger device, your cryptocurrency remains safe as long as you have your 24-word recovery phrase. You can purchase a new Ledger device or use any compatible hardware wallet, then restore your accounts using your recovery phrase. This is why it's critical to store your recovery phrase securely offline - it's your backup to access your funds. Without the recovery phrase, your cryptocurrency cannot be recovered.

Yes, you can use your Ledger device with multiple computers and mobile devices. Simply install Ledger Live on each device and connect your hardware wallet when needed. Your private keys remain on the Ledger device itself, so you can safely manage your portfolio from different locations. The Ledger Nano X also supports Bluetooth connectivity, making it easy to use with mobile devices.

While Ledger has authorized retailers worldwide, we always recommend purchasing directly from the official Ledger website for maximum security. If buying from a retailer, ensure it's an authorized partner and verify the device's authenticity using Ledger's built-in attestation check. Never buy second-hand devices or from unofficial sources, as these may have been tampered with.

Ledger devices include multiple authenticity checks. When you first set up your device, Ledger Live performs an automatic genuineness check using cryptographic attestation. Additionally, genuine Ledger devices come with tamper-evident packaging, anti-tampering stickers, and specific packaging characteristics. Always check that your device comes directly from Ledger and hasn't been pre-initialized with a recovery phrase.

Still have questions?

Our support team is here to help you get started with your Ledger device safely and securely.