Lédger.com/Start® — Begin Your Secure Ledger® Setup
Ledger Wallet™ is your all-in-one crypto wallet app to confidently and conveniently manage all your digital assets from one secure place while keeping your private keys offline, far from hackers' reach.
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Understanding Digital Asset Security
Cryptocurrency security represents a fundamental shift in how we protect our financial assets. Unlike traditional banking systems where institutions safeguard your funds, cryptocurrency empowers you with complete ownership and responsibility for your digital wealth.
Private Keys: Your Digital Ownership Certificate
At the heart of cryptocurrency security lies the concept of private keys—cryptographic codes that prove ownership of your digital assets. Think of your private key as an ultra-secure password that cannot be reset or recovered by any company or government. When you control your private keys, you achieve true financial sovereignty. However, this power comes with critical responsibility. If someone gains access to your private key, they gain complete control over your funds with no possibility of reversal. This is why hardware wallets like Ledger store your private keys in an isolated, secure chip that never connects directly to the internet, creating an impenetrable barrier between your assets and potential threats.
Cold Storage vs. Hot Wallets: Security Trade-offs
The cryptocurrency ecosystem offers two primary storage methods, each with distinct security profiles. Hot wallets—software applications connected to the internet—provide convenience for frequent transactions but expose your keys to potential online attacks, malware, and phishing schemes. Cold storage solutions, particularly hardware wallets, keep your private keys completely offline in a dedicated secure device. This offline approach, known as "cold storage," eliminates the attack vectors that plague internet-connected systems. While slightly less convenient for daily trading, cold storage provides institutional-grade security for individual users, making it the gold standard for protecting significant cryptocurrency holdings.
Recovery Phrases: Your Financial Backup Plan
During initial wallet setup, you'll receive a recovery phrase—typically 12 to 24 carefully selected words that serve as a master backup for all your cryptocurrency accounts. This phrase, generated using advanced cryptographic standards, can restore complete access to your funds if your hardware wallet is lost, damaged, or stolen. The security of this phrase is paramount: it should be written on durable materials, stored in multiple secure physical locations, and never photographed, typed into a computer, or shared with anyone. Many users employ strategies like splitting the phrase between multiple secure locations or using cryptographic steel plates designed to survive fire and water damage. Remember, anyone who obtains your recovery phrase gains complete access to your cryptocurrency, making its protection as important as the wallet itself.
Why Choose Ledger
Industry-leading security meets intuitive design
Military-Grade Security
Certified secure chip protects your private keys offline, immune to online threats.
Multi-Asset Support
Manage Bitcoin, Ethereum, and 5,500+ cryptocurrencies in one secure wallet.
Full Ownership
You hold the keys. No third-party can freeze, seize, or access your funds.
Mobile & Desktop
Seamless experience across iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about securing your crypto