What is Ledger.com/start?
Ledger.com/start is the official and only secure starting point to set up your new Ledger hardware wallet. Think of it as the official onboarding ramp to the world's most secure crypto ecosystem. When you unbox your new Ledger Nano, this is your first digital destination.
This official portal guides you through the three most critical first steps: downloading the Ledger Live application, initializing your device's security, and understanding the fundamentals of self-custody. It's designed to be foolproof, ensuring you don't fall for phishing sites or malicious software.
The Fortress: Why a Hardware Wallet is Non-Negotiable
The entire crypto market revolves around one concept: private keys. These keys are the *only* proof of ownership for your assets. If someone else gets your keys, they own your crypto.
A Ledger hardware wallet (also known as "cold storage") stores these critical private keys in a specialized, offline Secure Element chip, similar to those used in high-security passports and credit cards.
- Total Isolation: Your keys never touch the internet, making them immune to online hacks, malware, and viruses.
- Physical Confirmation: Every single transaction must be physically approved by you, by pressing buttons on the device itself.
- Clear Signing: The device's trusted display shows you *exactly* what you are signing, preventing you from being tricked by malicious smart contracts in the DeFi space.
Ledger Live: Your Dashboard for the Crypto Markets
The Ledger.com/start process will have you download Ledger Live. This is not just a wallet—it's your secure, all-in-one application for managing the entire crypto market.
While your keys stay safe on your device, Ledger Live acts as your window to your portfolio. You can securely:
Manage 5,500+ Assets
Check your portfolio in real-time, send and receive crypto, and manage multiple assets from one secure place.
Buy, Sell & Swap
Directly buy crypto with fiat (like USD, EUR), sell, or swap one asset for another through Ledger's trusted partners, all within the app.
Grow Your Assets
Participate in staking for assets like Ethereum (ETH), Solana (SOL), and more. Earn rewards passively while your assets remain in your secure wallet.
The Real Gateway to DeFi & Web3
Beyond Just Holding
The crypto markets are far more than just Bitcoin. The real revolution is in DeFi (Decentralized Finance)—a world of applications (dApps) for lending, borrowing, and trading without a middleman.
However, interacting with DeFi is the single biggest risk for most crypto users. Malicious contracts can drain your wallet instantly.
This is where your Ledger shines. Through the "Discover" tab in Ledger Live, you can securely connect to the entire DeFi ecosystem. When a dApp asks you to sign a transaction, your Ledger device shows you the real, human-readable details. You physically approve the transaction, ensuring you are never tricked into signing away your funds.
Your Ledger acts as your digital passport for Web3, allowing you to safely interact with:
Your Secure Setup: The Ledger.com/start Process
Step 1: Visit Ledger.com/start
Go *only* to this official URL. This is your single source of truth. Download and install the Ledger Live application for your desktop or mobile.
Step 2: Initialize Your Device
Connect your Ledger device to your computer and follow the on-screen instructions in Ledger Live. You will set a secure PIN code (4-8 digits).
Step 3: THE MOST CRITICAL STEP
Your device will now generate your 24-word Recovery Phrase. This is the *only* backup of your private keys.
- Write it down on the provided recovery sheets.
- NEVER store it digitally (no photos, no password managers, no text files).
- NEVER share it with anyone. Ledger will *never* ask for it.
- Store it in a secure, private, physical location.
Step 4: Verify & Install Apps
Ledger Live will ask you to confirm your recovery phrase to ensure you've written it down correctly. After that, your device is ready. Use the "Manager" in Ledger Live to install apps for the assets you want to manage (e.g., Bitcoin, Ethereum).
Step 5: Explore the Gateway
Congratulations. You are now your own bank. You can add accounts, receive funds, and explore the "Buy/Sell" and "Discover" tabs to enter the DeFi and crypto markets securely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Your crypto is not *on* the device; it's on the blockchain. Your device just holds the keys. If you lose your Ledger, you can buy a new one (or use another compatible wallet), enter your 24-word recovery phrase, and you will regain full access to all your assets. This is why securing your recovery phrase is everything.