What Can You Do With Your Ledger?

Since 2014, Ledger has led the way in secure crypto self-custody—selling over 8 million hardware wallets that have never been hacked and now safeguarding 20% of global crypto value. Unlike custodial wallets, Ledger grants you control over your private keys with extreme security. 

And it’s not just about storage; every Ledger device unlocks an entire ecosystem for a seamless web3 experience.

Want to quickly swap tokens through multiple blockchains? Ledger can do it. DCA into the latest and greatest tokens? Ledger can do that too. Ledger Devices can also work as your passkeys or two-factor authentication (2FA) for logging into websites or apps without needing a separate device.

Today, let’s explore exactly how Ledger and Ledger devices have changed what it means to be an explorer (or expert) in web3.

Ledger Devices & Security Model: A Quick Speedrun

Ledger’s vision is to give you the most complete and secure crypto experience ever. 

This boils down to a combo of essentially two things—its devices and its security model. When it comes to cold storage, previous Ledger devices literally shaped the market—the Ledger Nano S is the bestselling crypto wallet of all time, and the Ledger Nano X also boasts multiple awards under its belt. This was at a time when almost all other hardware wallets looked the same—with USB stick form factors. 

In today’s world, where screens and touchscreens are our second interface to digital money, Ledger has once again leveled up the experience of managing and surfing crypto. The latest devices, Ledger Stax and Ledger Flex, introduce the world’s first Secure E-ink Touchscreens—which means crypto has never been more intuitive, and stylish. 

This changes hardware wallets as a concept and for the better.

But what’s on the inside has been the constant shield as the crypto industry grew—Ledger’s security model is battle-tested and has stood the test of time. 

Between a tamper-proof Secure Element chip that drives the screens of every Ledger device directly, a Secure OS for app isolation, Secure Screens and Secure Touchscreens to prevent tampering, a PIN code for physical protection, and rigorous testing by the Ledger Donjon team—your Ledger device is an armed protector of your financial freedom and future. 

Ledger Live: The Most Secure Web3 Gateway

The Ledger Live app complements Ledger’s secure ecosystem—its “Discover” section lets you access various decentralized apps (dApps) securely. It allows users to buy, sell, stake, swap crypto, and manage NFTs securely, with transactions signed offline on the device. It is your safe gateway to all things crypto—whether it’s trading the latest memecoin or browsing AI agents, Ledger Live allows you to seamlessly do crypto without worry. 

Buy and Sell Securely

You don’t need to go to a centralized exchange (CEX) to buy crypto anymore. Through the Ledger Live app, you can buy cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin or Ethereum using your bank card or bank transfer. Partners like MoonPay and Transak handle the payment, and you get to access your crypto via your Ledger device.

If you’re into DeFi—Ledger Live has you covered. You can swap tokens on popular decentralized exchanges like Uniswap, ParaSwap, and 1inch to get the best deals, and use staking services like Lido or Kiln to earn rewards on your Ethereum. Plus, you can lend and borrow through apps like Yearn to boost your yields, while the Zerion-powered DeFi Dashboard keeps track of all your assets and activities in one place. You can also restake your assets for more rewards. Moreover, our latest providers Mercuryo & BTC Direct make it possible to easily set a DCA strategy in place for your funds. 

Got NFTs? With Ledger Live, you can securely view your NFT collection—including details like names, images, and other metadata—while keeping them safe on your Ledger hardware wallet. You can also transfer your NFTs between compatible wallets. Although Ledger Live doesn’t support direct buying or selling of NFTs, you can connect your Ledger-protected account to supported third-party marketplaces for trading. And if you own a Ledger Stax or Ledger Flex, you can even display your NFT collection as a dynamic screensaver on the device!

But Ledger’s commitment to security does not stop at just this point.

Ledger Extended Ecosystem & Industry Standards

When you think of Ledger, you might think of just hardware wallets, but Ledger is much more than just another device in your pocket. When you get a Ledger, you’re tapping into a secure digital infrastructure that goes beyond the hardware and apps it produces—it’s an ecosystem built on rigorous industry standards that extend to every third-party integration. 

Not only that, Ledger also offers multiple software-based solutions, such as Ledger Sync and Ledger Recover, that further enhance the experience of the ecosystem. Let’s take a look at what these extended ecosystems mean in everyday life for real users.

Clear Signing

Think you’re being scammed? Well, you can trust your Ledger Secure Screens/Touchscreens to show you the exact details of contracts you’d be willing to sign. This avoids the risk of “blind signing,” where you might sign something risky without even knowing. But reading crypto transactions is a pain, and wouldn’t it be better if you could read transaction data in a more readable way? 

Ledger’s Clear Signing Initiative, launched in 2024, extends this transparency to third-party platforms, addressing industry-wide blind signing issues, as seen in the Bybit $1.5 billion hack, where attackers exploited such vulnerabilities.

Every third-party app integrated into Ledger Live is subject to rigorous audit and also implements Ledger’s Clear Signing initiative. This means that you get detailed, human-readable information on your Ledger Secure Screens. 

In the real world, this is a scam-resistant safeguard that helps you engage in secure transactions across the Ledger Live ecosystem with full confidence.

Ledger Sync

If you use Ledger Live on both your computer and phone, Ledger Sync makes life easier. It syncs your data across devices every 10 seconds, securely and privately, using the Ledger Key Ring Protocol. So, whether you’re checking balances on your laptop or making a transaction on your phone, everything matches up perfectly, even when you’re on the move.

Backup with Ledger Recover

Worried about losing your recovery phrase, if you lose your device? Ledger Recover lets you back it up with ease through this paid service. If something goes wrong, you can recover your wallet through a verification process, so you can have peace of mind even on bad days.

What’s Special About Owning A Ledger Device?

Just like the iPhone revolutionized smartphones with its design and ecosystem, Ledger sets the standard for hardware wallets with its premium security and user-friendly approach. Ledger devices , have a sleek look and intuitive screens. 

But functionality aside, Ledger offers peripheral products that drive this secure environment to the real world.

DCA & Tax Savings

With Ledger’s latest integrations, Mercuryo and BTC Direct, you can now set a DCA strategy in place allowing you to be periodic about your investments and stay on top of your finances all in one place. Not only that, the Ledger Live app also supports CoinLedger, a platform that tracks all your gains across 400+ marketplaces and helps you generate tax forms for free. Moreover, with our latest Unchained Bitcoin IRA on Ledger Flex, you can optimize your taxes on Bitcoin with the assured offline safety of your device!

CL Card Integration 

The CL Card powered by Ledger and provided by Baanx offers a secure and versatile way to manage your crypto in everyday life. It lets you move funds seamlessly between your Ledger Live account and the card, so you can quickly top up and spend your crypto at over 90 million merchants. You can even add your CL Card to your Apple Pay, making things even easier for digital payments. 

Yes, you can buy your friend some pizza with crypto using Ledger in real-time too.

Plus, you have the flexibility to use your crypto as collateral, thanks to features of CL Card like Cryptodraft and Stableloans that give you access to a line of credit without having to sell your assets. Instant fiat conversion at the time of purchase means you’re never left worrying about volatility when paying for goods and services. 

While Ledger Live itself doesn’t offer these features natively, it does provide similar functionality through third-party integration with YouHodler, where you can take crypto loans using your assets as collateral.

Let’s compare this with an ordinary CEX experience.

Security Key

Ledger devices can be used as security keys for digital identity protection, and this has several implications. Firstly, it enhances security by using the same high-security hardware, including the Secure Element chip certified at EAL5+/EAL6+ levels. This means that the authentication process is protected against tampering, similar to how crypto transactions are signed—in an offline environment, thus reducing risks like phishing or man-in-the-middle attacks.

More importantly, it addresses the growing need for secure digital identity in an era where AI deepfakes and content manipulation. In a time when even bots can have blue checks, relying on what you see online is just not enough. 

The Security Key app, combined with the device’s NFC chip for seamless passkey authentication with cell phones, ensures that users can protect their digital identity with the same rigor as their crypto assets, enhancing overall digital freedom.

Truly Next-Gen Devices: Why Upgrade

In 2025 and beyond, the AI Agent era just means that things are going to get more complex before they become simpler in web3. Every tech cycle follows the same pattern—a thing is built, many micro-developments pop up alongside, and then all of it gets consolidated into a simpler and much more efficient product. 

Ledger devices are already ahead of this curve – they provide a truly next-gen experience for crypto users with a one-stop solution for basically everything you want to explore in crypto safely. This is why Ledger even encourages its users to upgrade to these new devices, it’s not just to keep up, it’s also about having more capacity to be secure in multiple dimensions. 

Longer battery life, Secure Touchscreens for an immersive experience, a whole range of customization options (which includes ‘stacking’ your Ledger Stax devices back to back and even labeling their spine with custom text like your name), and all of this operating between its advanced ecosystem.  

Unlock full control, transact with over 15,000+ tokens, and achieve financial freedom—invest in a Ledger device today.