Ledger Live is the official companion application for Ledger hardware wallets, offering users a secure, intuitive, and self-custodial interface for interacting with their digital assets. From portfolio tracking and staking to NFTs and DeFi, Ledger Live serves as the central hub for everything in your crypto ecosystem—without compromising on control or security.

The Purpose Behind Ledger Live

Designed to simplify crypto management while preserving true ownership.

Before Ledger Live, managing crypto through a Ledger device meant using a patchwork of third-party wallets, extensions, and browser-based tools. This approach was not only inconvenient but often risky—especially for users new to crypto.

Ledger Live was introduced in 2018 to solve this problem. It brings all essential wallet functions into a single platform that’s natively compatible with Ledger devices. Whether you're sending Bitcoin, staking ETH, or exploring decentralized apps, Ledger Live makes it seamless—while keeping your private keys offline and protected.

Built for Self-Custody and Security

Security-first architecture with no compromise on user control.

Ledger Live follows a zero-trust model: it assumes the host computer or smartphone could be compromised. That’s why all sensitive operations—like signing transactions and managing private keys—are handled exclusively by the connected Ledger hardware wallet.

Even if Ledger Live is tampered with, your assets remain safe, because the private keys never leave the device. Each transaction must be manually confirmed on your Ledger, ensuring complete physical control.

Security features include:

• Authenticity checks for connected devices

• Cryptographically signed firmware and app updates

• No cloud-based private key storage

• Optional telemetry (completely opt-out)

A Streamlined, Cross-Platform Interface

One user experience across desktop and mobile, tailored for clarity and control.

Ledger Live is available on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android. Both versions share a unified design that prioritizes ease of use without sacrificing functionality.

Core sections of the interface include:

• Portfolio: A dashboard view of your total crypto value, performance trends, and asset distribution

• Accounts: Detailed records of balances and transaction history for each asset

• Send / Receive: Secure workflows for transferring crypto, always requiring device approval

• Manager: A tool for installing/removing crypto apps on your Ledger device

• Discover: A growing suite of trusted third-party tools and services like staking, swaps, and DeFi

Everything is built around simplicity. From onboarding to daily use, Ledger Live is designed for anyone—from first-timers to experienced holders.

Wide Asset Support

Over 5,500 coins and tokens supported—with constant expansion.

Ledger Live supports a massive range of cryptocurrencies across multiple blockchains. This includes major networks like:

• Bitcoin (BTC)

• Ethereum (ETH)

• Solana (SOL)

• Cardano (ADA)

• Polkadot (DOT)

• Binance Smart Chain (BNB)

It also includes thousands of ERC-20, BEP-20, and other token types. Support is provided either:

• Natively: Fully managed directly within Ledger Live

• Via integration: Through external wallets (e.g., MetaMask, Keplr) while still using the Ledger device for security

Asset support is regularly updated to reflect changes in the ecosystem and user demand.

Staking Made Simple

Earn passive rewards from your crypto—without giving up control.

Ledger Live allows users to stake several proof-of-stake assets directly through the app, including Ethereum, Tezos, Cosmos, Polkadot, and others. With just a few clicks, users can delegate assets to validators and start earning staking rewards.

Key benefits:

• Stake directly from your self-custody wallet

• Choose your validator (or let the app select for you)

• Claim and withdraw rewards securely

• Maintain full control of funds—no lock-in by third parties

Staking through Ledger Live is ideal for users who want yield generation without trusting centralized platforms.

NFT Support with Ledger-Grade Security

View, send, and receive NFTs—secured by your hardware wallet.

Ledger Live supports NFT management for Ethereum and Polygon-based collections. Users can view their NFTs in a visually rich gallery, and transfer or receive them just like any other crypto asset.

Each NFT transaction must be approved via the Ledger device, adding an important layer of security to a part of the Web3 world that’s often vulnerable to scams and malicious links.

Ledger is actively working on expanding NFT support to other chains and improving integrations with NFT marketplaces.

Integrated Buy, Swap, Sell, and Bridge Features

Everything you need to manage your crypto—without leaving the app.

Ledger Live integrates several third-party services to allow users to:

• Buy crypto with fiat (via MoonPay, Ramp, Transak, and others)

• Sell selected assets for local currencies

• Swap tokens across networks (via Paraswap and other partners)

• Bridge assets between blockchains like Ethereum and Polygon

Each of these services is optional and clearly labeled as third-party. While these actions may require external verification (e.g., KYC), your private keys remain secured by your Ledger hardware wallet throughout.

Access to DeFi and Web3

Explore decentralized finance and apps—without compromising safety.

Through WalletConnect support and integration with browser wallets like MetaMask, Ledger Live users can interact with a wide range of DeFi platforms and decentralized apps.

Whether you’re lending assets on Aave, providing liquidity on Uniswap, or minting NFTs, all interactions are gated by your Ledger device—keeping you protected from malicious contracts and phishing attempts.

Additionally, the Discover tab in Ledger Live provides curated access to reliable Web3 services, right within the app.

Privacy and Transparency

You own your data—and your keys.

Ledger Live is designed to preserve user privacy. Your transaction history, portfolio data, and account information are stored locally. Ledger does not have access to this information, nor is it synced to any cloud servers.

Analytics collection is minimal and optional. You can fully disable telemetry from the settings at any time.

In 2023, Ledger’s announcement of the optional Ledger Recover service drew criticism from privacy advocates. The company responded by making the service strictly opt-in and committing to transparency. It reinforced Ledger’s long-standing stance: you—not Ledger—are in control of your crypto.

Ongoing Development and Updates

Evolving with the ecosystem—without sacrificing core principles.

Ledger Live is updated regularly with new features, performance improvements, expanded asset support, and new service integrations. Most releases are accompanied by changelogs and blog posts detailing what’s changed.

Ledger also actively collaborates with blockchain projects to add native support for more assets, improve staking flows, and enhance the user experience.

The Discover section continues to expand, offering users safe access to more tools without needing to leave the application.

Conclusion: One App, Full Control

A single platform for secure, decentralized, and future-proof asset management.

Ledger Live represents a unique blend of user experience and self-custody security. It is the centerpiece of Ledger’s mission: enabling anyone, anywhere, to securely access the world of crypto and Web3—without intermediaries, custodians, or compromise.