Ledger
Launched 2014 · Hardware Wallet (Cold Storage)
The world's most popular hardware wallet — secure your crypto offline with military-grade protection.
Quick Overview
What is Ledger?
Ledger is the world's #1 hardware wallet, founded in 2014 in Paris, France. With 7+ million devices sold, it's the most widely used cold storage solution in the crypto industry.
A hardware wallet stores your private keys on a physical device that never connects directly to the internet. Even when you plug it into your computer to sign a transaction, the keys remain isolated inside a Secure Element chip — the same technology used in passports and credit cards.
Ledger offers three models: the Nano S Plus ($79) for budget-conscious users, the Nano X ($149) with Bluetooth for mobile management, and the premium Stax ($399) with an e-ink touchscreen designed by Tony Fadell (the inventor of the iPod).
The Ledger Live companion app transforms the hardware wallet into a complete crypto management platform — you can buy, sell, swap, and stake crypto directly. It connects to DeFi apps like Uniswap and Aave, letting you use Web3 while keeping your keys secured on the device.
Important to note: In 2020, Ledger's marketing database was breached, leaking customer emails and mailing addresses (no private keys or funds were affected). In 2023, their "Ledger Recover" feature — which optionally backs up your key via encrypted shards to third parties — was controversial, though it is entirely opt-in and disabled by default. Despite these concerns, no user funds have ever been compromised through the hardware itself.
Ledger Highlights
What makes this wallet stand out from the crowd.
Nano S Plus — $79
The essential hardware wallet. USB-C, supports 5,500+ coins, perfect for secure cold storage on a budget.
Best value hardware wallet on the market.
Nano X — $149
Bluetooth-enabled, larger storage, portable. Manage crypto from your phone securely.
Most popular Ledger. Great for mobile users.
Ledger Stax — $399
Premium e-ink touchscreen, wireless charging, designed by Tony Fadell (iPod inventor). The luxury choice.
The flagship. Beautiful design meets maximum security.
Referral Program
Earn Bitcoin for referring friends who buy a Ledger. Friends get a discount too.
Check Ledger's website for current referral terms.
Key Features
Everything Ledger offers to keep your crypto safe and accessible.
Ledger Live App
All-in-one companion app to manage, buy, sell, swap, and stake crypto — directly from your wallet.
Secure Element Chip
Military-grade CC EAL5+ chip isolates your private keys from all software and internet threats.
DeFi & Web3 Access
Connect to Uniswap, Aave, OpenSea, and hundreds of dApps while keeping keys secured on the device.
Staking via Ledger Live
Stake ETH, SOL, DOT, ATOM and more directly through Ledger Live. Earn passive income securely.
NFT Management
View, manage, and securely store NFTs on Ethereum, Polygon, and other chains.
Multi-Device Support
Use one recovery phrase across multiple Ledger devices. Buy a backup device for redundancy.
Swap & Buy in App
Integrated exchange partners let you buy and swap crypto without leaving Ledger Live.
Bluetooth (Nano X)
Wireless connectivity lets you manage crypto on-the-go from your phone.
Touchscreen (Stax)
E-ink touchscreen display with customizable lock screen — the premium experience.
Ledger Specs & Pricing
Nano S Plus
$79
USB-C, no Bluetooth, essential model
Nano X
$149
USB-C + Bluetooth, most popular
Stax
$399
E-ink touchscreen, wireless charging
Supported Coins
5,500+
Across 70+ blockchains
Ledger Live App
Free
Desktop + iOS + Android
Security Cert.
EAL5+
Certified Secure Element chip
Security & Safety
Ledger devices use a certified Secure Element chip (CC EAL5+) — the same type of chip used in passports, credit cards, and military equipment. Your private keys never leave the device and are never exposed to the internet, even when signing transactions.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- + Industry-leading security with CC EAL5+ Secure Element
- + 7+ million devices sold — most trusted hardware wallet brand
- + 5,500+ supported cryptocurrencies and 70+ chains
- + Ledger Live is an excellent companion app (buy, sell, swap, stake)
- + Three models for every budget ($79–$399)
- + DeFi and Web3 compatible — connect to dApps securely
- + Active security research team (Ledger Donjon)
- + Regular firmware updates with new features
- + Strong ecosystem of third-party app integrations
Cons
- − Firmware is not fully open-source (debated in the community)
- − 2023 data breach exposed customer email/mailing addresses (not funds)
- − Controversial "Ledger Recover" feature announcement (opt-in, optional)
- − Nano S Plus has no Bluetooth (must use USB cable)
- − Stax is expensive at $399
- − Small screen on Nano models can be fiddly
- − Learning curve for complete beginners
Ledger Timeline
Founded in Paris, France. One of the first companies dedicated to hardware wallet security.
Launched the original Ledger Nano S — became a massive hit, selling millions of units.
Launched Ledger Nano X with Bluetooth. Expanded Ledger Live with staking and swaps.
Suffered a data breach (marketing database) — customer emails leaked. No funds were affected.
Launched Ledger Nano S Plus with USB-C and expanded storage. Sold 6M+ devices total.
Launched Ledger Stax (designed by Tony Fadell). Controversial "Ledger Recover" feature announced.
Continued expanding ecosystem. Ledger Live surpassed 3M+ active users. New partnerships with DeFi protocols.
7+ million devices sold. Remains the world's #1 hardware wallet brand by market share.
Our Verdict
Ledger is the most popular hardware wallet for a reason — the Secure Element chip provides genuine military-grade security, Ledger Live is one of the best companion apps in the industry, and the ecosystem of supported coins and dApps is unmatched. The Nano S Plus at $79 is the best value in hardware wallets, while the Nano X adds Bluetooth convenience. The 2020 data breach and Ledger Recover controversy are worth knowing about, but neither compromised user funds. For anyone holding more than a few hundred dollars in crypto, a Ledger is one of the smartest investments you can make.