Ledger Live — Secure Crypto Wallet App & DeFi Gateway
Ledger Live brings together hardware-backed security, portfolio tools, NFT galleries and an integrated DeFi gateway that connects you to trusted decentralized protocols — all without exposing your private keys. Manage, stake, swap and interact with DeFi primitives confidently while keeping your seed safely offline.
Gateway to decentralized finance — without sacrificing safety
Using DeFi doesn't have to mean exposing your keys or sacrificing clarity. Ledger Live acts as a secure gateway: it connects to curated DeFi partners and decentralized protocols, fetches quotes and contract data for you to review, and asks your Ledger device to perform the final signature. This separation — clear presentation plus offline signing — dramatically reduces risk while allowing you to participate in advanced financial primitives like swaps, lending and liquidity provision.
When you initiate a DeFi action, Ledger Live displays the contract, method, and exact parameters in human-readable form. Your Ledger device independently verifies critical transaction fields before you confirm and sign. If anything about the call looks suspicious, the device will not sign and you can cancel safely.
How Ledger Live keeps your DeFi interactions safe
Security is layered. Ledger Live enforces a strict signing boundary: all private keys remain inside the Secure Element on your Ledger device. The app functions as a smart presenter — it reads contract ABI data, humanizes complex calls into readable actions and surfaces critical details for review. Your device acts as the final arbiter: it independently verifies the transaction payload and the intended target before returning a signature.
Key safeguards
- On-device signing: No private key leaves the device.
- Readable contract details: Methods and parameters are shown in plain language.
- Partner vetting: DeFi integrations are curated and monitored for known vulnerabilities.
- Transaction simulation: Preview gas, slippage and contract calls before executing.
DeFi flows supported
- Token swaps via DEX aggregators
- Providing and withdrawing liquidity
- Borrowing and lending interactions with major protocol integrations
- Yield farming and strategy management through vetted vaults
Native NFT support & provenance
Ledger Live includes a gallery that organizes NFTs by collection and offers provenance details such as contract address, mint data and metadata source. Transfers and approvals are signed on-device, and the app flags suspicious collection contracts or metadata origins so collectors can make informed decisions.
Collector tools
- High-resolution previews and metadata panels
- Collection-level provenance and contract verification
- Batch transfer and safe-approval workflows
Getting started — secure in five steps
- Download Ledger Live from the official website or your platform store and install it on desktop or mobile.
- Purchase or connect your Ledger hardware device and initialize it with a PIN and a 24-word recovery seed. Write the seed down and store it offline.
- Open Ledger Live and add accounts for the blockchains you use. Install chain apps on your Ledger device as prompted.
- Explore the DeFi gateway: connect to a vetted protocol, review simulation details such as gas estimates and slippage, then approve the transaction on your device.
- Monitor positions from the dashboard and export transaction history for records or tax purposes.
Security & best practices
Your recovery phrase is the definitive backup to your funds — never enter it online or share it with anyone. Keep your Ledger device firmware and Ledger Live app up to date. Prefer official channels for downloads and purchases to avoid tampered devices. Use optional passphrases for additional privacy and consider multisig setups for high-value holdings.
Practical checklist
- Buy Ledger devices only from official retailers.
- Never enter your recovery phrase on a website or app.
- Verify contract addresses and method calls before approving.
- Use slippage limits and gas checks when interacting with DEXs.
- Consider dividing holdings across accounts and using multisig for treasury management.
Frequently asked questions
- Can I use Ledger Live to interact directly with DeFi protocols?
- Yes. Ledger Live offers connections to vetted DeFi partners and shows detailed contract data. Final authorization always happens on your Ledger hardware device.
- Does Ledger Live hold custody of my funds?
- No. Ledger Live is a management interface. Your private keys remain in your Ledger device and Ledger cannot access your funds. The app only facilitates broadcasting signed transactions.
- Are DeFi integrations audited?
- Ledger Live integrates with curated DeFi partners and monitors for known vulnerabilities. Users are encouraged to verify contract addresses and exercise caution with new or unaudited protocols.
- What if I lose my Ledger device?
- Your funds remain recoverable using your 24-word recovery phrase. Restore on a new Ledger device or compatible wallet. Keep the seed secure and offline.
User stories
"Ledger Live made interacting with lending protocols simple — I can preview the call and confirm it on my device without ever exposing my keys." — E. Chong, DeFi user
"As an NFT collector, the provenance tools and on-device approvals give me confidence when transferring rare pieces." — K. Moreno, collector