This **Ledger.com/Start®** page is your definitive **Wallet Setup** guide. Follow these essential steps for the **Initial Setup** of your **Ledger Device**, ensuring your **Digital Assets** are protected by the industry-leading **Crypto Security** of the **Secure Element**.
Begin Your **Initial Setup**Only trust the **Official Site** instructions for your **Wallet Setup**.
Carefully unbox your **Ledger Device**. Connect it to your computer using the supplied USB cable. The device will power on and display a welcome message. This simple step initiates your **Wallet Setup** directly from the **Official Site**'s guidance, paving the way for maximum **Crypto Security**.
Use the physical buttons on your **Hardware Wallet** to navigate the menu. Select the option to set up a new device. **Never** choose 'Restore' unless you are recovering an existing wallet. This ensures a clean, new **Initial Setup** environment for your **Digital Assets**.
A strong **PIN Code** (4 to 8 digits) is essential **Physical Security**. Enter your chosen code directly on the **Hardware Wallet** screen, then confirm it. This **PIN Code** is your local access key and the first layer of your comprehensive **Crypto Security** model before you access **Ledger.com/Start** features.
Immediately following the **PIN Code** creation, your **Hardware Wallet** will generate your **Recovery Phrase**—a unique sequence of **24-Word Seed** words. This is the **Master Key** to your **Digital Assets**. If your physical device is lost, stolen, or damaged, this **24-Word Seed** is the only way to recover access to your funds on a new device. This critical step in the **Wallet Setup** process must be handled with utmost diligence.
You must meticulously write down these words in the correct order on the official recovery sheet provided in your Ledger box. Treat this **Recovery Phrase** with higher security than any other password or key. It must be stored offline in a secure, private location. **NEVER** digitize your **24-Word Seed** (no photos, no cloud storage, no typing it out). This strict adherence to the **Initial Setup** protocol ensures maximum **Crypto Security**.
During the **Wallet Setup**, the **Ledger Device** will prompt you to verify a random selection of the words from your **Recovery Phrase**. This step confirms that you have correctly recorded the **24-Word Seed** before the device finalizes the **Initial Setup** and is ready to secure your **Digital Assets**. Do not skip or rush this verification process. Successfully completing this step means your **Crypto Security** is now physically backed up.
A key differentiator in Ledger's **Crypto Security** model is the use of a certified **Secure Element** chip (CC EAL5+). This chip is designed to withstand sophisticated physical and digital attacks. Unlike simple microcontroller chips, the **Secure Element** provides an unparalleled, tamper-proof environment where your private keys derived from the **24-Word Seed** are stored. This technology ensures the integrity and isolation required for true **Hardware Wallet** protection of your **Digital Assets** even when connected to a compromised computer.
After the physical **Initial Setup** is complete, you will connect your device to Ledger Live (via **Ledger.com/Start**). The first action Ledger Live performs is the **Genuine Check**. This cryptographic verification ensures that your **Hardware Wallet** contains the original Ledger firmware and the certified **Secure Element**. This check confirms your device is not a counterfeit and has not been tampered with, providing absolute assurance before you commit any **Digital Assets** to your **Secure Wallet**. This is a final, critical layer of your **Wallet Setup** process.
You have successfully navigated the **Initial Setup** guide from the **Official Site®** at **Ledger.com/Start®**. Your **Hardware Wallet** now has a protective **PIN Code**, and your **Recovery Phrase** (**24-Word Seed**) is securely stored offline. Proceed now to the Ledger Live application to complete the **Genuine Check**, install **Digital Assets** applications, and begin managing your portfolio with world-class **Crypto Security** backed by the **Secure Element**. The safe management of your **Digital Assets** starts now. Remember, the power of the Ledger **Hardware Wallet** lies in the physical isolation of your **Master Key**. By using the **Secure Element** and following the **Official Site**'s rigorous instructions for your **PIN Code** and **Recovery Phrase**, you achieve the highest standard of **Crypto Security**.
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