A friendly primer to begin your Bitcoin journey with secure self-custody and practical steps.
Bitcoin changed how we think about money. For many, the first step is understanding that custody matters: who holds your keys controls your coins. If you visited Ledger.com/start and wondered what comes next, this page is a compact, approachable guide to help you begin responsibly. We'll mix plain language, symbols for quick scanning (₿ ✅ ➜ ✦), and a short Q&F block in the middle so you can skip to the essentials.
Symbols quick key: ₿ = Bitcoin • ✅ = Recommended • ➜ = Next step • ✦ = Tip
When you first own Bitcoin, your priority is protecting the private keys that control your funds. Self-custody means you are the ultimate guardian; that is empowering but also a responsibility. Hardware wallets, like those offered via Ledger paths such as Ledger.com/start, provide a secure offline environment for signing transactions. They keep keys isolated from internet threats. Think of a hardware wallet as a small, dedicated vault where your signing keys live — offline and resilient against remote hacks.
Order or obtain a hardware device — Always buy from official channels (e.g., Ledger.com/start) to avoid tampered devices. ₿
Setup securely — Initialize your device in a private place, write down the recovery phrase on the supplied card (never connect it to unknown computers). ✅
Record and protect your recovery phrase — Use steel backup solutions or offline storage; avoid digital photos or cloud notes. ✦
Practice small transactions — Send a tiny amount first, then increase as you confirm everything works. ➜
Q: Is the device worth it for one-time purchases? A: If you're holding more than what you'd risk losing, the security trade-off is worth it. ✅
Q: Can I recover funds if I lose my device? A: Yes — with the recovery phrase you created during setup. Store it safely. ➜
Fact: Your recovery phrase is the single most important piece of information. Treat it like cash in a safe. ₿
Fact: Never enter your recovery phrase into a website or share it — Ledger and most legitimate services will never ask for it.
Make small habits that keep you secure: verify addresses on the hardware device's screen before confirming, keep firmware up to date via official apps, and avoid public Wi‑Fi when doing sensitive operations. Store at least one offline copy of your recovery phrase in a geographically separate location in case of disaster. Consider using passphrase features if you need stealth or additional layering.
Buying hardware wallets from secondary marketplaces without verifying authenticity.
Storing recovery phrases as pictures or in cloud backups.
Sharing seed phrases or entering them on random websites.
Short symbols recap: ₿ Bitcoin • ✅ Recommended • ➜ Next step • ✦ Tip • © 2025