Certified hardware wallet security

Ledger — Home of the First and Only Certified Hardware Wallets

Your digital assets deserve the same level of protection as your most valuable items. Ledger hardware wallets combine independent certification, secure element chips, and battle‑tested firmware to lock down your private keys—so only you control your crypto, NFTs, and Web3 identity. Simple to set up, effortless to use, and engineered to stay ahead of threats.

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Independent Certification

Ledger wallets undergo rigorous, third‑party security evaluations, providing an extra layer of assurance beyond marketing claims. Certification confirms that critical protections work as designed.

Secure Element + OS

Purpose‑built secure element chips isolate your private keys, while Ledger OS adds multiple defenses against tampering, side‑channel attacks, and software exploits.

Proven at Scale

From first purchase to long‑term self‑custody, Ledger supports a broad ecosystem of assets and apps—designed for everyday investors, builders, and institutions alike.

Ledger hardware wallet on a neon‑lit background

Why Ledger

Security that starts at the chip and extends to your everyday.

Great security is invisible until you need it. Ledger wallets are built on a layered security model that combines certified hardware, a secure operating system, and human‑centered design. Instead of leaving your private keys on an internet‑connected device, Ledger keeps them offline inside a tamper‑resistant secure element. Transactions are verified on the device screen and confirmed with physical buttons, stopping malware and phishing from silently authorizing transfers you didn’t intend. Behind the scenes, multiple safeguards—from PINs and passphrases to optional recovery workflows—help you recover from mistakes without exposing your seed phrase to unnecessary risk. The result is a wallet you can trust every day, because it’s engineered to protect you on your worst day.

Certified, independently evaluated

Certification matters because it holds products to a measurable, repeatable standard. Ledger’s architecture is examined by external labs that attempt to bypass protections, probe for implementation flaws, and validate the claims made by the device maker. Independent review gives you confidence that the hardware and firmware defenses resist real‑world attacks.

Threat‑model driven testing against physical and logical attacks
Evidence‑based assurance for components and firmware
Transparent update process to address newly discovered issues

Secure element fortress

A secure element is a specialized chip that stores confidential data and performs sensitive operations inside an isolated environment. In a Ledger wallet, your private keys never leave this chip. Even if a computer or phone connected to the wallet is compromised, the secure element keeps secrets protected and verifies what’s being signed.

Hardware isolation for seed storage and signing
Protection against voltage, glitch, and side‑channel attacks
On‑device verification so you confirm exact transaction details

Human‑proofed experience

Security should be intuitive. Ledger’s interface uses clear, device‑level prompts. Physical confirmation buttons help you avoid accidental taps, while clean screens prevent misreads. The companion app organizes assets, provides portfolio insights, and integrates dApps through secure connections without exposing your keys.

Pin‑protected access and optional passphrase layer
Guided setup and verification of your recovery phrase
Built‑in checks to reduce phishing and address‑swapping risks

Designed for the long haul

Durable by design, adaptable by updates

Unlike pure software wallets that can break with an OS upgrade, a Ledger is purpose‑built and updateable. When standards evolve and new chains or tokens appear, firmware updates extend your device instead of making it obsolete. The hardware stays yours; the protection keeps getting sharper.

What this means for you:

Keep your keys offline while still accessing a growing list of assets
Receive improvements that harden defenses over time
Rely on a device that remains useful across market cycles

Close‑up of secure circuitry symbolizing a secure element

Getting started

From box to backup in minutes—without cutting corners.

Unbox and verify: Inspect your device and packaging. Power on the wallet and follow the on‑screen prompts to begin initialization.
Create your PIN: Choose a PIN that only you know. This protects access to the wallet if it’s ever found by someone else.
Write down your recovery phrase: Your 24‑word recovery phrase is the root to your funds. Write it down using the provided card or a metal backup. Never share it, and never type it into a computer or phone.
Install the companion app: Pair your device, add accounts for the assets you hold, and explore Web3 with peace of mind.
Transact with clarity: When sending or signing, verify every detail on the device screen, then confirm with the physical buttons.

That’s it. Your keys stay offline, your confirmations stay on‑device, and your assets stay under your control. If your device is lost or damaged, you can restore on a new Ledger (or compatible wallet) using your recovery phrase. Security and convenience don’t have to be opposites—they can be design partners.

Who it’s for

Whether you’re stacking sats or shipping smart contracts.

Everyday investors

If you’re buying, holding, and occasionally moving crypto, Ledger gives you vault‑level protection without a steep learning curve. The device guides you through setup, and the app makes portfolio tracking straightforward. Sleep better knowing your keys aren’t sitting on an exchange.

Creators & NFT collectors

Guard your digital art and collectibles with hardware‑backed signatures. Confirm each mint or marketplace listing on the device itself, reducing the risk of malicious contracts draining your wallet while you browse.

Builders & power users

Developers and DeFi natives benefit from deterministic key management, clear signing UX, and compatibility with leading wallets and dApps. You get hardware assurance without giving up the flexibility of open finance.

Choose with confidence

Hardware beats hot wallets when security is non‑negotiable.

Capability	Ledger Hardware Wallet	Software (Hot) Wallet
Key storage	Offline in a secure element, isolated from the internet	On a connected device; exposed to malware and phishing
Transaction approval	On‑device screen + physical buttons; details verified locally	On a phone/computer screen; vulnerable to UI spoofing
Security validation	Independently evaluated and certified to defined standards	Varies widely; often lacks third‑party certification
Attack surface	Minimal; purpose‑built firmware with reduced complexity	Large; shares OS with many apps and background services
Longevity	Hardened hardware; security updates extend lifespan	Tied to OS updates; risk of deprecations breaking support

Note: No wallet eliminates all risk. Good security combines strong hardware, careful habits, and a recovery plan you can follow under stress. Ledger is designed to make the right habits the easy default.

What users say

Trusted by people who take self‑custody seriously.

“Setup was smoother than I expected. The device forced me to slow down and double‑check my seed phrase, which is exactly what I needed. I finally moved everything off exchanges.” — Amira K.

“I interact with DeFi daily. The clear signing and physical confirmation saved me from an approval that would have granted a malicious contract unlimited access. That alone paid for the wallet.” — Devon P.

“It’s the rare piece of tech that feels both premium and reassuring. I like that my keys never touch my laptop. The peace of mind is real.” — Lena V.

What does “certified hardware wallet” mean?

Certification indicates that the wallet’s security claims have been tested against a formal standard by an independent laboratory. This process examines both the hardware and the firmware to validate resistance against a range of attacks. It provides an objective level of assurance that complements transparency and peer review.

How is a hardware wallet safer than a software wallet?

Hardware wallets keep private keys offline inside a secure element chip. Sensitive operations, like signing transactions, occur within this isolated environment and are confirmed on the device screen with physical buttons. Even if the connected phone or computer is compromised, the attacker cannot export the keys or silently change the transaction you see on the device.

What happens if I lose my device?

Your funds are not stored on the device; they live on the blockchain. With your 24‑word recovery phrase, you can restore your wallet on a new Ledger or compatible device. Without that phrase, no one—including Ledger—can move your funds. Guard it like a master key.

Can I use Ledger with DeFi and NFTs?

Yes. Pair your device with the companion app and supported wallet interfaces to interact with dApps and marketplaces. The hardware wallet approves each action on‑device, helping you avoid malicious approvals or contract interactions.

Which assets are supported?

Ledger supports a broad range of major networks and tokens, with new integrations delivered through updates. Before moving funds, check support in the companion app, then add the relevant accounts to your device.

How do updates work?

Firmware updates are delivered through the companion app. Each release focuses on security, compatibility, or UX improvements. You’ll be guided through the process, and your private keys remain protected within the secure element throughout.

Is a hardware wallet overkill for small balances?

Security is about proportional risk. If losing access to your funds would hurt, a hardware wallet meaningfully reduces your exposure to common threats like malware, phishing, and signing mistakes. Many users start with a hardware wallet precisely to build safe habits early.

Ledger — Home of the First and Only Certified Hardware Wallets

Security that starts at the chip and extends to your everyday.

Certified, independently evaluated

Secure element fortress

Human‑proofed experience

Durable by design, adaptable by updates

From box to backup in minutes—without cutting corners.

Whether you’re stacking sats or shipping smart contracts.

Everyday investors

Creators & NFT collectors

Builders & power users

Hardware beats hot wallets when security is non‑negotiable.

Trusted by people who take self‑custody seriously.

Own your keys. Own your future.