About Ledger
Pioneering hardware wallet security since 2014. A Paris-born company protecting millions of crypto users worldwide.
The Story Behind Ledger
Ledger was founded in 2014 in Paris, France, by a team of eight experts in embedded security, cryptography, and entrepreneurship. Their mission was clear: provide individuals with the tools to truly own and control their digital assets without relying on third-party custodians.
At a time when cryptocurrency exchanges were the primary means of storing Bitcoin and other digital assets — and when exchange hacks were becoming increasingly common — Ledger recognized that the only way to guarantee security was to keep private keys offline, isolated in purpose-built hardware.
The result was the Ledger Nano S, released in 2016, which became the world's best-selling hardware wallet. It introduced the concept of using a Secure Element chip — the same technology used in passports and credit cards — for cryptocurrency key storage. This was a fundamental departure from competitors like Trezor and KeepKey, which relied on general-purpose microcontrollers.
Today, Ledger has sold millions of hardware wallets across more than 200 countries. The product lineup has expanded to include the Bluetooth-enabled Ledger Nano X, the budget-friendly Nano S Plus, and the premium Ledger Stax and Ledger Flex with E Ink touchscreens. Ledger Live, the companion software, has evolved into a comprehensive crypto management platform supporting over 5,500 digital assets.
Core Technology
Secure Element Chip Architecture
Ledger's security model is built on certified hardware isolation — a fundamentally different approach from software wallets and even some competing hardware wallets like Trezor and KeepKey.
CC EAL5+ Certification
Ledger devices use Secure Element chips with Common Criteria EAL5+ certification — the same standard applied to banking cards and government identity documents. This certification verifies resistance to physical tampering, side-channel attacks, and fault injection.
Air-Gapped Key Storage
Private keys are generated and stored exclusively on the Secure Element chip. They never leave the device — not even during transaction signing. Ledger Live sends unsigned transactions to the device, which signs them internally and returns only the signed output.
Custom Operating System (BOLOS)
Ledger developed BOLOS (Blockchain Open Ledger Operating System), a proprietary OS that runs on the Secure Element. BOLOS isolates each cryptocurrency app from others, preventing a compromised app from accessing keys belonging to a different blockchain.
Anti-Tampering Measures
Every Ledger device performs a genuine check at startup, verifying the integrity of its firmware against Ledger's root of trust. If the device has been tampered with, it will not pass this check. This protects against supply-chain attacks and counterfeit devices.
Mission: Self-Custody for Everyone
Ledger's core philosophy is that individuals should have complete, uncompromised control over their digital assets. The phrase "not your keys, not your coins" has become a foundational principle in the cryptocurrency community, and Ledger's products are designed to make this principle accessible to everyone — not just technical users.
Unlike centralized exchanges and custodial wallets, where a third party holds your private keys (and can freeze, lose, or be hacked for your assets), a Ledger hardware wallet ensures that only you can authorize transactions. There is no account to hack, no password to phish, and no central point of failure.
This mission extends beyond hardware. Ledger Live provides an intuitive interface that rivals the ease of use offered by software wallets from SafePal and other competitors, while maintaining the superior security guarantees of cold storage. The goal is to eliminate the trade-off between security and usability.
Key Milestones
2014 — Founded in Paris
Eight co-founders establish Ledger with a vision to secure digital assets using embedded security technology.
2016 — Ledger Nano S Launch
The Nano S becomes the first hardware wallet with a Secure Element chip, selling millions of units worldwide.
2019 — Ledger Nano X
Bluetooth-enabled hardware wallet launches, bringing mobile compatibility and expanded storage for up to 100 apps.
2022 — Nano S Plus & Ledger Live Expansion
USB-C successor to Nano S ships alongside major Ledger Live updates including NFT support and DeFi integrations.
2023 — Ledger Stax & Flex
Premium devices with E Ink touchscreens, designed by Tony Fadell (iPod creator), redefine hardware wallet form factors.
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