Your gateway to ultimate cryptocurrency security. Follow our step-by-step guide to set up your Ledger hardware wallet and protect your digital assets with military-grade encryption.
Essential security
Wireless connectivity
Legacy model
Cryptocurrency security has never been more critical than it is today. With digital assets reaching unprecedented values and widespread adoption, protecting your investments from hackers, phishing attacks, and technical failures is paramount. Ledger.com/Start serves as your comprehensive gateway to establishing fortress-like security for your cryptocurrency portfolio through our industry-leading hardware wallet solutions.
Hardware wallets represent the gold standard in cryptocurrency security architecture. Unlike software wallets that store private keys on internet-connected devices, hardware wallets utilize specialized secure chips to generate, store, and manage your private keys in a completely offline environment. This air-gapped approach ensures that your most sensitive cryptographic information never touches the internet, making it virtually impossible for remote attackers to access your funds.
The Ledger ecosystem has been meticulously designed to provide multi-layered security while maintaining user-friendly operation. Every Ledger device undergoes rigorous security audits and utilizes Common Criteria EAL5+ certified secure elements – the same technology trusted by governments and financial institutions worldwide. This military-grade security foundation ensures that your cryptocurrency assets remain protected even if your computer or smartphone becomes compromised.
Ledger Live serves as the central hub for managing your cryptocurrency portfolio, offering a seamless bridge between your hardware wallet's security and practical day-to-day digital asset management. This comprehensive application provides real-time portfolio tracking, secure transaction management, and direct access to decentralized finance protocols while maintaining the security guarantees of your hardware device.
The application supports over 5,500 cryptocurrencies and tokens, making it one of the most comprehensive wallet solutions available. From Bitcoin and Ethereum to emerging altcoins and DeFi tokens, Ledger Live provides unified management capabilities without compromising security. The platform also integrates with leading cryptocurrency exchanges, enabling secure trading directly from your hardware wallet interface.
Your Ledger device implements multiple security mechanisms designed to protect against both digital and physical attacks. The secure PIN system prevents unauthorized access even if your device falls into the wrong hands, while the recovery phrase system ensures that your funds remain accessible even if your hardware wallet is lost, stolen, or damaged. This recovery phrase, consisting of 24 carefully selected words, serves as the master key to your entire cryptocurrency portfolio.
Advanced users can leverage additional security features including passphrase protection, which adds an extra layer of security by allowing multiple hidden wallets on a single device. This feature provides plausible deniability and compartmentalization of assets, enabling users to maintain separate wallets for different purposes while using the same hardware device.
The modern cryptocurrency landscape extends far beyond simple storage and transactions. Decentralized Finance (DeFi) protocols, NFT marketplaces, and Web3 applications require sophisticated wallet interactions while maintaining security standards. Ledger hardware wallets seamlessly integrate with popular applications like MetaMask, enabling secure participation in the broader blockchain ecosystem without exposing private keys to online risks.
This integration allows users to safely interact with smart contracts, participate in yield farming, trade on decentralized exchanges, and manage NFT collections while maintaining the security guarantees of hardware wallet protection. Every transaction requires physical confirmation on your Ledger device, ensuring that unauthorized transactions cannot occur even if your computer or browser becomes compromised.
Cryptocurrency security is an evolving landscape that requires ongoing attention and maintenance. Ledger provides regular firmware updates that enhance security, add new cryptocurrency support, and introduce advanced features. These updates are delivered securely through Ledger Live and require physical confirmation on your device to install, ensuring that even the update process maintains security integrity.
Staying informed about security best practices, recognizing phishing attempts, and maintaining updated software are crucial components of long-term cryptocurrency security. Ledger.com/Start not only guides you through the initial setup process but also connects you to ongoing educational resources and security updates that help you maintain optimal protection throughout your cryptocurrency journey.
Carefully unpack your Ledger hardware wallet and verify that all components are included. Check for any signs of tampering.
Download the official Ledger Live application from our verified website. Available for Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, and Android.
Connect your Ledger device and follow the setup wizard to create a new wallet or restore an existing one.
Write down your 24-word recovery phrase and store it in a safe location. This is crucial for wallet recovery.
Bank-grade security with certified secure chip
Offline storage keeps private keys away from internet
PIN protection against physical access
Recovery phrase backup for wallet restoration
Multi-cryptocurrency support
Regular firmware updates for enhanced security
Every Ledger device uses a certified secure chip (CC EAL5+) that stores your private keys and executes applications in a secure environment, isolated from your computer or smartphone.