Frequently Asked Questions

When your crypto is on an exchange, you don't hold the private keys–the exchange does. This means you are trusting them completely. If the exchange gets hacked, goes bankrupt, or freezes withdrawals, your funds are at risk. A Ledger hardware wallet gives you "self-custody," meaning you and only you control the keys. It is the only way to truly own your digital assets.

You should ONLY buy a Ledger wallet directly from Ledger's official website (ledger.com) or from an official authorized reseller. Never buy a hardware wallet from third-party marketplaces like eBay or from an individual. Buying from an unofficial source risks receiving a tampered device that could be designed to steal your funds. The safest practice is to always buy directly from the source.

Your crypto is not stored on the Ledger device itself; it is stored on the blockchain. The device only holds the private keys that give you access. When you set up your wallet, you create a unique 24-word Recovery Phrase. If you lose or damage your device, you can simply buy a new Ledger and use your 24-word phrase to restore full access to all your funds. This is why keeping your recovery phrase safe and offline is the most important step.

It depends on your use case. The Nano S Plus is an excellent choice for secure, desktop-based management. The Nano X is worth the investment if you value mobility and want to manage your crypto on the go via Bluetooth with your smartphone (iOS or Android), especially for frequent DeFi or NFT interactions.

No. Ledger wallets use a Secure Element chip and a custom operating system (BOLOS) that isolates your private keys from your computer or phone. Malware or viruses on your connected device cannot access the keys. All critical actions, like sending crypto, must be physically confirmed on the device's screen, making it immune to online attacks.

The 24-word recovery phrase (or seed phrase) is a master backup for all your crypto assets. It's generated by your Ledger device during the initial setup. If your wallet is ever lost, stolen, or damaged, you can use these 24 words on any compatible hardware wallet to regain access to your funds. Protecting this phrase is your single most important security responsibility.

Ledger Live is the official companion app for your Ledger wallet. It's an interface that lets you securely view your portfolio, install apps for different cryptocurrencies on your device, and initiate transactions. The app itself holds no private keys; it simply communicates with your secure Ledger device, which signs and authorizes everything offline.

No, absolutely not. Never buy a used, second-hand, or pre-configured hardware wallet. It could be a compromised device set up to steal your assets. Always buy your Ledger directly from the official website or an authorized retailer to ensure it is genuine and untampered with.

Your crypto would still be safe. Your assets are on the blockchain, not with Ledger. Your 24-word recovery phrase is based on an open industry standard (BIP39). You could use this phrase to restore your wallet and access your funds on many other software or hardware wallets from different manufacturers. This is a core benefit of self-custody.