Unlock True Ownership. The only person who should control your crypto, NFTs, and digital assets is you. **Ledger** provides the ultimate security layer for your decentralized life.
In the world of crypto, your private keys, represented by a 12, 18, or 24-word recovery phrase (seed phrase), are the master access to your funds. If these keys are exposed to the internet—even temporarily—they are vulnerable to malware, phishing, and remote hacks. This is the inherent risk of using "hot wallets" like software wallets or exchange accounts. A fundamental principle of decentralization is self-custody, and **Ledger** makes this possible safely.
A **Ledger** device solves this by creating a highly isolated, offline environment for your private keys. The keys are generated and stored inside a specialized chip called the Secure Element (SE), which is impervious to online attacks. When you transact, only the *signed* transaction leaves the device, never the private key itself. The keys are the absolute core of security.
The Secure Element is the heart of every **Ledger** device. Unlike generic microcontroller chips used in some competitors' products, the SE is the same type of chip used for highly sensitive applications like passports and credit cards. It is designed to withstand physical and logical attacks, providing an impenetrable barrier around your cryptographic secrets. This level of certification (EAL5+) is crucial.
The integrity of the device ensures that your private keys are never transmitted over Bluetooth or USB in an unencrypted state. This makes phishing attempts useless, as a hacker might steal your password or email, but they cannot steal the actual keys that control your crypto. This robust architecture is what differentiates the security offered by **Ledger** from other solutions, ensuring peace of mind for holders of significant digital wealth.
Every transaction, including the recipient address and amount, must be physically verified and confirmed by you on the device's small screen before signing. This prevents man-in-the-middle attacks where hackers try to swap the destination address. This "What You See Is What You Sign" security model is paramount to the **Ledger** promise.
Ledger Live is your essential desktop and mobile companion. It provides a user-friendly interface to manage your assets, check your portfolio value, send/receive tokens, and install applications on your device. It's the secure gateway to the crypto world, simplifying complexity while maintaining security.
Beyond basic storage, the Ledger Live app facilitates powerful actions. You can stake proof-of-stake coins (like ETH or SOL) directly, swap between tokens, and even connect to DApps like Uniswap and OpenSea—all secured by your offline **Ledger** device. This ensures you can participate in DeFi safely.
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A: Your funds are safe as long as you have your 24-word recovery phrase (seed phrase). You can simply purchase a new Ledger device (or any compatible hardware wallet) and use the recovery phrase to restore access to all your assets. The phrase, not the device itself, controls your crypto.
A: It is vital to write it down on the provided recovery sheets and store them offline in a secure, fireproof, and waterproof location. Never store it digitally (e.g., photo, cloud storage, email) as this defeats the purpose of the hardware wallet security.
A: No. Since your private keys never leave the Secure Element inside the **Ledger** device, even if your computer is compromised, the malware cannot access the keys required to sign and authorize a transaction. You must still physically verify the transaction on the device.
A: The 4-to-8 digit PIN code is a local security measure. It protects your device from unauthorized physical access. If the wrong PIN is entered three times, the device wipes itself clean, forcing a restoration via the 24-word recovery phrase, thus protecting your keys.
A: **Ledger** supports over 5,500 cryptocurrencies, including major assets like Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, Cardano, and thousands of ERC-20 tokens. You can manage the vast majority of popular digital assets using the device and the Ledger Live application.