Welcome to **Ledger.com/Start**®

Initiate Your Secure **Crypto Journey** Today

You've taken the decisive step towards true financial sovereignty. This **Official Site** page is your definitive **Getting Started** guide, built to ensure your **Hardware Wallet** setup is seamless, secure, and successful. The Ledger ecosystem is designed around the core principle of **Self-Custody**, placing you in complete control of your **Digital Assets**. By following the steps outlined here and within the dedicated **Ledger Live** application, you gain unshakeable **Crypto Protection**. This portal provides the knowledge and resources necessary to begin your **Crypto Journey** with maximum confidence.

Start Your **Hardware Wallet** Setup Now

Why **Self-Custody** Defines Your **Crypto Journey**

In the world of **Digital Assets**, ownership equals possession of the **Private Keys**. Centralized exchanges hold these keys for you, meaning they control your funds—a risk that negates the core freedom of blockchain technology. The **Hardware Wallet**, accessed through **Ledger.com/Start** and managed by **Ledger Live**, changes this paradigm entirely. It ensures your **Private Keys** are generated and stored offline, secured by a certified chip (Secure Element). This is the essence of **Self-Custody**: you, and only you, have access to your assets.

This **Getting Started** guide focuses heavily on the secure handling of your **Recovery Phrase**. The **Recovery Phrase** is the single backup that grants universal access to your **Digital Assets**. It must be treated with the highest degree of secrecy. The integrated approach of the **Hardware Wallet** and **Ledger Live** makes **Crypto Protection** intuitive, but the responsibility of the **Recovery Phrase** remains yours. **Ledger.com/Start** is here to equip you with the knowledge to maintain this high level of **Security Guide** adherence throughout your entire **Crypto Journey**.

Centralized vs. Self-Custody

  • **Centralized:** Keys held by exchange. Risk of hacking, platform bankruptcy, or regulatory freeze. Not true ownership.
  • **Self-Custody:** Keys held offline in your **Hardware Wallet**. Immune to online hacks. You are always in control of your **Digital Assets**.
  • **Action:** Every step on **Ledger.com/Start** is designed to reinforce this **Self-Custody** model.

The **Security Guide**: Navigating Your **Hardware Wallet** Setup

Phase 1: Verification & Download

The Official Starting Point

The very first step on your **Crypto Journey** must be through the official portal: **Ledger.com/Start**. This link directs you to the guaranteed, authentic download page for the **Ledger Live** application. Verification is key. Before setup, always check your package for signs of tampering. Once verified, download **Ledger Live**—it is the secure application required to initialize your **Hardware Wallet** and conduct all future **Crypto Protection** activities. The software will automatically check your device's authenticity, a vital step that prevents malicious devices from compromising your funds.

Never use a search engine result or third-party link for **Ledger Live**; always start at the **Official Site**'s dedicated page.

Phase 2: **Recovery Phrase** Mastery

Securing the Master Key

This is the most critical phase of the **Getting Started** guide. Your **Hardware Wallet** will generate a unique, 24-word **Recovery Phrase**. This phrase is your ultimate backup—the key to recovering your **Digital Assets** should your device be lost, stolen, or damaged. You must write this phrase down **manually** on the provided sheet and store it **offline** in a secure location. **The device screen is the only place this phrase should ever appear.** You will also set your **PIN Code** on the device, providing immediate physical **Crypto Protection** for your daily use. Mismanaging your **Recovery Phrase** undermines all **Self-Custody** efforts.

You must never photograph, type, or email your **Recovery Phrase**. It must remain a physical, offline document.

Phase 3: **Crypto Journey** Activation

Managing Your **Digital Assets**

With your **Hardware Wallet** initialized and your **Recovery Phrase** safely secured, the **Ledger Live** application becomes your essential **Portfolio Manager**. Use **Ledger Live** to install applications for your desired **Digital Assets** onto your device (e.g., Bitcoin, Ethereum). The application provides real-time portfolio tracking and enables secure transactions. To ensure total **Crypto Protection**, always test the process with a small amount of funds first. Sending a small transaction from an exchange to your new Ledger address confirms your **Getting Started** setup is fully operational and secure. This completes your secure **Initial Setup**.

**Ledger Live** allows you to buy, swap, and stake crypto directly, always leveraging the **Security Guide** principles of your offline device.

Sustaining Your **Crypto Protection** and **Self-Custody**

The **Getting Started** phase is just the beginning of your secure **Crypto Journey**. Maintaining excellent **Security Guide** practices is paramount for long-term **Self-Custody**. Always ensure your **Ledger Live** application and your **Hardware Wallet** firmware are kept up-to-date. **Ledger.com/Start** provides continuous updates and educational materials for the latest threats and features. When receiving **Digital Assets**, only generate the address via the trusted combination of your Ledger device and **Ledger Live**. When sending funds, always verify the recipient address on the physical screen of your Ledger device—never trust the computer screen alone.

Remember: Ledger will **never** ask for your **Recovery Phrase**. Any request to type your 24 words into a computer or phone screen is a scam. Adhering to this fundamental rule ensures your **Private Keys** remain offline and protected, cementing your status as a true **Self-Custody** owner. Congratulations on successfully starting your journey!