Ledger Wallet — Luxury-grade custody for crypto

Own your keys, own your future. Ledger combines a tactile hardware device and an intuitive wallet interface to secure, manage and grow your digital assets with institutional-grade safety and a premium user experience.

Hardware-backed private keys
Multi-currency support
Native DeFi & NFTs
Cross-platform apps
Transparent firmware updates
Set up in 5 minutes Read FAQs
Pro tip: Ledger's approach separates your private keys from your online devices — that means safer transactions even if your computer or phone is compromised.

Why choose Ledger Wallet?

Ownership & sovereignty

With Ledger, you hold your private keys on a hardware device — not with an exchange or third-party custodian. That means true ownership, no middlemen.

Tamper-proof hardware

Ledger devices use a Secure Element chip and dedicated firmware to prevent key extraction. Physical confirmation on the device is required for every transaction.

Luxury UX & transparency

Premium materials, carefully crafted interfaces, and clear, auditable firmware updates—Ledger combines elegance with high security.

Core features at a glance

Private key isolation

Keys never leave the device. The wallet signs transactions inside the Secure Element; only signatures are sent to the network.

Benefit: your keys remain safe even if your computer is attacked.

Ledger Live integration

Manage assets, check balances, buy/swap tokens, and access staking & DeFi flows — all from the Ledger Live app (desktop + mobile).

App & third-party ecosystem

Use Ledger with popular dApps, DeFi protocols and NFT marketplaces. Ledger acts as the secure signer when interacting with external apps.

Multisig & enterprise

Ledger supports advanced custody patterns, including multisig setups and integrations for institutional workflows.

Recovery & backups

Recovery uses a BIP39 seed phrase — write it down and store securely offline. Ledger offers guidance and tools for safe recovery and migration.

Beginner's guide — set up & use Ledger Wallet (step-by-step)

This section walks you through the most common onboarding flow. Expect a calm, 5–15 minute setup depending on your familiarity.

  1. Buy only from official sources: Purchase from ledger.com or authorized resellers. Avoid second-hand devices — always verify box seals and device authenticity.
  2. Unbox & inspect: Confirm the product packaging and integrity. Ledger devices ship with a recovery card and a quick start guide.
  3. Install Ledger Live: Download Ledger Live from the official site and install the desktop or mobile app. Do not use third-party links.
  4. Create a new wallet: Follow Ledger Live prompts to initialize your device, choose a PIN, and generate your recovery phrase. Write the 24-word seed on the provided card and store offline.
  5. Verify your seed: Ledger will require you to confirm a subset of words. This step ensures the seed was recorded accurately.
  6. Install apps for coins: In Ledger Live, install the app for each blockchain (Bitcoin, Ethereum, etc.) to manage those assets.
  7. Receive funds: Use the Receive flow in Ledger Live to generate a fresh address. Confirm the full address on your device screen before sharing it.
  8. Send & sign transactions: When sending, you’ll preview details in Ledger Live and physically verify & approve the transaction on the ledger device.
  9. Use with dApps: For DeFi or NFTs, connect Ledger through an approved wallet bridge (e.g., Ledger Live, a browser extension with Ledger support). Always verify the transaction on-device.
  10. Update securely: Ledger periodically releases firmware updates. Apply them only through Ledger Live and with the device connected to your machine.

Best practices

  • Never share your recovery phrase — Ledger staff will never ask for it.
  • Store your recovery card in a safe, fireproof, and waterproof location or split it across multiple secure places.
  • Use a strong PIN and consider additional physical security for the device.

Common pitfalls

Avoid downloading unsigned community tools, plugging the device into public computers, or trusting unsolicited transaction requests.

Security deep-dive

Ledger leverages multiple layers of protection designed for both individual and institutional users. Below is a concise breakdown of the primary safeguards and why they matter.

Secure Element (SE)

The SE isolates private keys and performs cryptographic operations in a controlled environment, making physical extraction extremely difficult.

Bootloader & signed firmware

Firmware updates are cryptographically signed. The device verifies authenticity before applying updates to prevent tampering.

PIN + device confirmation

Every transaction must be personally approved on the device. The PIN prevents local access if the device is lost or stolen.

Open-source & audits

Ledger's software components and procedures are available for review and have undergone third-party security audits — transparency reduces systemic risk.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between Ledger device and Ledger Live?
The Ledger device (hardware) stores your private keys and signs transactions. Ledger Live is the companion app (desktop/mobile) used to manage your portfolio, install apps, and interact with blockchains. The device does the signing; Ledger Live provides the interface.
Can I recover my wallet if I lose the device?
Yes — using your 24-word recovery phrase you generated at setup. Keep this phrase safe: anyone with it can reconstruct your wallet.
Is Ledger compatible with DeFi and NFTs?
Yes. Ledger can sign transactions for DeFi protocols and NFTs. You may use Ledger through Ledger Live or via supported third-party dApps and wallets — always verify transactions on the device.
How often should I update firmware?
Update when Ledger releases a new signed firmware. Updates include security improvements and feature additions. Apply updates only through Ledger Live and follow on-screen instructions.
Can Ledger be hacked remotely?
Remote attacks are extremely difficult because private keys never leave the device. However, phishing attempts and social engineering remain common; remain vigilant and never reveal your recovery phrase.
Does Ledger store my personal data?
Ledger's services are designed to minimize personal data collection. Transaction data lives on blockchains; Ledger Live aggregates local portfolio data. Consult Ledger's privacy policy for details.

Notes & responsibilities

This page is an informational landing-style guide and not financial or legal advice. Always verify official resources at ledger.com/wallet. Practice safe custody and consider consulting professional advisors for complex holdings or institutional setups.