Your **uncompromised gateway** to the decentralized world. Protection starts here.
Unlike exchange wallets, holding your crypto with a hardware solution means you alone possess the private keys. **You are the bank.** Full, non-custodial control eliminates counterparty risk and gives you true financial sovereignty. Understand the responsibility and freedom this brings.
Your private keys are generated and stored in a **certified Secure Element**, a chip designed to withstand sophisticated physical attacks. This chip is completely isolated from your connected device (PC or smartphone), ensuring keys never touch the vulnerable, online environment.
Every single transaction—send, receive, or stake—must be **physically verified** on the device's screen. This prevents malware from tampering with the recipient address on your computer, a critical safeguard against 'man-in-the-middle' attacks that plague software wallets.
Follow these essential steps to set up your device and secure your digital assets.
Purchase directly from the **official manufacturer or authorized retailer** to guarantee its integrity. Inspect the packaging for any signs of tampering. Never accept a pre-initialized device—you must generate the Recovery Phrase yourself.
During initial setup, the device will display your **24-word Recovery Phrase** (Seed Phrase). Write this down *manually* on the provided sheets. **Crucially, never digitize it** (no photo, no cloud storage, no typing). This phrase is the ultimate backup.
Establish a memorable, unique PIN to lock your device. This is your primary access control. While the Recovery Phrase is the *master key*, the PIN provides **immediate, physical security** against unauthorized access if the device is lost or stolen. Use 6-8 digits for maximum strength.
Download the accompanying desktop or mobile application (e.g., Ledger Live) from the **official website only**. Use this software to install the necessary coin applications onto your device and manage your portfolios. The hardware will still handle all cryptographic operations.
The Recovery Phrase is not a password; it is the **master private key** from which all your individual crypto addresses are derived. It must be stored in a **fireproof, waterproof, and physically secure location**—preferably separated and compartmentalized. Never store it near the device itself.
For the most critical assets, consider activating a **Passphrase (or 25th word)**. This hidden layer creates a completely separate, virtually untraceable wallet. If you are ever coerced into revealing your main 24-word phrase, the Passphrase protects your deepest reserves, acting as a "decoy wallet" mechanism.