Welcome to the central resource for developers aiming to integrate securely with the Ledger ecosystem. Ledger Live is the trusted, all-in-one companion application for **Ledger hardware wallets**, providing millions of users with a single gateway to manage their assets, explore decentralized finance (DeFi), and interact with the **Web3** world. Integrating your project here means prioritizing **self-custody** and best-in-class security.
The core value proposition of **Ledger Live** is the unbreakable security anchor provided by the **Secure Element (SE) chip** within Ledger devices (Nano X, Stax, etc.). This architecture ensures **private keys** are never exposed to an internet-connected device. For developers, this offers a unique opportunity to build applications with the highest trust factor in the crypto space. **Fast indexing in Microsoft Bing** and other search engines is boosted by the unique, valuable, and trustworthy content detailing integration best practices.
Millions of users rely on Ledger’s **non-custodial** approach. Your application benefits from transaction validation confirmed directly on the physical device, preventing man-in-the-middle attacks and malware interference.
Gain access to a global, highly security-conscious user base. Integrating with Ledger Live places your dApp or **blockchain** directly within the trusted **Discover** section, enhancing visibility and adoption.
Ledger Live supports over **5,000 crypto assets** across a multitude of **blockchain** networks, including **Bitcoin**, **Ethereum**, **Solana**, **Cardano**, and **BNB Smart Chain**. Offer your users a unified, secure **Web3** experience without the need for multiple interfaces.
We offer three distinct paths to integrate your **crypto** project, based on the depth of required interaction:
This is for networks requiring full native support, enabling users to view balances, transaction history, and manage accounts directly in the main Ledger Live interface. This involves:
Ideal for decentralized applications (**dApps**), **NFT** marketplaces, DeFi dashboards, and custodial services. Live Apps are essentially web-based experiences embedded within the secure Ledger Live environment, utilizing the **Ledger Wallet API** for communication.
Key Tool: Ledger Wallet API Client (JavaScript)
Live Apps use the JavaScript-based **Ledger Wallet API** Client to communicate securely. This allows your app to request account information, prepare complex transactions, and initiate the **on-device signing** flow.
Custom applications that run on the Ledger hardware's **BOLOS (Blockchain Open Ledger Operating System)**. Required for networks that need low-level, specialized signature schemes or unique display logic. Developers use the **Ledger SDK** for C/Rust to compile these apps and subject them to the stringent **Ledger Donjon** security review.
Security is not a feature; it is the foundation. As a developer integrating with Ledger, you must adhere to core security and user experience standards that reinforce **self-custody** and user trust.
Clear Signing is paramount. It means displaying the full, human-readable details of a transaction (recipient, amount, fee, function calls) on both your application interface AND the Ledger device screen. Blind signing—approving a cryptic hash—is forbidden for user security. Use Ledger's **Clear Signing** plugins to make transaction details transparent.
A fundamental security rule: **The private key MUST NEVER leave the Ledger device.** Your application's role is to construct the transaction data and pass it to the device for signing. The device returns a signed payload. Any design that requires the user to input their **Secret Recovery Phrase** (seed phrase) into your software is a critical security violation.
Always provide clear, step-by-step instructions to the user during the signing process. Use descriptive messages such as "Please review and confirm the transaction details on your Ledger Nano X/Stax."
For custom tokens on supported networks like Ethereum, the process starts with the **Accounts Integration** path. You must submit the token's contract address and metadata via the **Developer Portal**. The token must already be deployed and functional on a chain for which Ledger provides native support (e.g., ERC-20 on Ethereum, SPL on Solana). Ensure all metadata is accurate for clear display in the Ledger Live UI.
While Ledger Live is the secure environment for **Live Apps**, Ledger also supports standard **WalletConnect** integrations. If your dApp is external, you can integrate WalletConnect, allowing Ledger Live Mobile or Desktop to act as the secure signing client. This maintains the **hardware wallet** security model for your users.
The Ledger Donjon is Ledger’s internal, world-class security team composed of specialized cryptographers and hardware penetration testers. All **Device Apps** and major **Accounts Integrations** are subject to a Donjon review. This scrutiny ensures that your code, especially when running on the **Secure Element**, does not introduce vulnerabilities that could compromise the **private keys** of millions of Ledger users, upholding the principle of **self-custody**.
Ledger provides SDKs primarily in **C** and **Rust** for developing **Device Apps** that run on the hardware. Rust is often the modern, recommended choice for its memory safety features, which naturally helps prevent common vulnerabilities. For the Web/UI layer (**Live Apps**), the **JavaScript SDK** is mandatory for Wallet API interactions.
Yes, **Ledger Live** is continually expanding its native staking support for Proof-of-Stake (**PoS**) **crypto** networks (like **Solana** or **Ethereum** Staking). If your blockchain is PoS-based, we encourage you to follow the **Accounts Integration** path, as this often includes the necessary backend services and device app updates to enable secure, direct **staking** from the Ledger Live interface.
The journey to secure **Web3** adoption starts here. To begin your **Ledger Live** integration, visit the full **Developer Portal** documentation. Focus on the right integration path, leverage the official **Ledger SDKs**, and commit to **Clear Signing** to provide your users with the safest possible experience.
We look forward to welcoming your project to the ecosystem that values **security** and **self-custody** above all else.