Ledger Nano X

Ledger Hardware Wallets – New Zealand’s Crypto Guide (2024)

Considering purchasing a Hardware Wallet in NZ? View our guide to find out all you need to know about Ledger Hardware Wallets in New Zealand and why you need one to protect your crypto investments.

Hardware wallets like the Ledger are one of the safest ways to store your crypto in NZ.

Whether you’re holding Bitcoin or a multitude of coins, a Ledger wallet will provide you with a safe and easy vault for storing your crypto investments. 🔒

Follow our guide to learn everything you need to know about Ledger wallets in NZ.

TLDR: The best way to buy a Ledger wallet in NZ is through an authorized local reseller such as Easy Crypto’s shopCrypto Store NZ, or even better from Ledger themselves.

Ledger NZ Crypto Wallet

Ledger Nano X

Purchase Cost: $287

Cloud Storage: No

Cold Storage: Yes

Cryptocurrency NZ chooses Ledger Nano X as our top choice for hodling.

Its secure offline wallet, protected by a metallic strip, ensures physical protection. The 100mAh battery, PIN code, and seed phrase add an extra layer of security, making it a reliable option for safeguarding and hodling cryptocurrency assets.

Pros Of Ledger Nano X:

  • ✔️ Intuitive Ledger Live Interface: Ledger Live boasts an intuitive and convenient user interface, simplifying crypto management for users.

  • ✔️ Support for 100 Apps: The Ledger Nano X can support up to 100 apps, allowing users to store and manage multiple cryptocurrencies effortlessly.

  • ✔️ Open-Source Software with Community Support: Being open-source, Ledger’s software benefits from customer and community contributions.

Cons Of Ledger Nano X:

  • Potential Bluetooth Cyberattack: The Bluetooth integration, while convenient, introduces a potential cyberattack vector (although USB-C remains an option).

  • Bluetooth Feature Still Maturing: The Bluetooth feature is still under development and not yet perfected, which may raise security concerns.

  • Unavailable Bluetooth with Desktop: The current limitation of unavailable Bluetooth support with desktops may inconvenience some users.

The Ledger Nano X is the second-gen hardware wallet by Ledger, a French company established in 2014. Resembling a USB drive, it connects via USB or Bluetooth to iOS and Android devices, supporting over 5,500 tokens with continuous updates.

Ledger Live software complements the cold storage wallet, allowing easy management of diverse portfolios. With widespread popularity, the Ledger offers versatility by connecting via USB-C or OTG cable for smartphones.

Ledger NZ Crypto Wallet

What is a Ledger Hardware?

Ledger are one of the world’s most popular hardware wallet manufacturers – providing you with a safe and secure way to store your private keys and sign off transactions offline.

This is known as cold-storage, and like the Trezor wallet range, you are required to physically approve any outbound transaction manually, making you immune to hacks.

Of the Ledger wallet range, CNZ recommends the Ledger Nano X – $287NZD. Using a Ledger combats the risk of your private keys being extracted by malware, creating an ‘airlock‘ between your private keys and any device you use to connect to the internet.

Ledgers support over 18,000 coins and tokens, including Bitcoin, Ethereum and Monero.

In the crypto world, it’s all too often new-comers believe a smart-phone is a secure place to store their coins, resulting in losses from hackers, bad actors, or malfunction.

With the Ledger wallet, your private keys are stored internally on the device itself, never leaving your hardware wallet. When you wish to make a transaction, you plug it into your phone or computer, launch the Ledger program, and create the transaction from in there. Once you’ve configured the transaction on your computer/phone, your Ledger will prompt you to manually approve the transaction, by holding down a button for about 5 seconds.

After confirming the transaction from your Ledger Wallet, approving the transaction with your private keys, it will immediately start being processed by the network.

This is unlike software wallets where you execute your transactions from the one program.

 

Where to Buy Ledger Hardware Wallets NZ

Our recommendation for buying a ledger hardware wallet in NZ is through Easy Crypto NZ.

However, as Kiwis we are lucky to have a multitude of different places to choose from when it comes to buying a brand new Ledger hardware wallet in NZ, such as the following options:

However It is never recommended to buy a second-hand hardware wallet in any circumstance as they can be tampered with in all sorts of malicious ways. Most brand new hardware wallets come fitted with an anti-tamper seal in an effort to guarantee your hardware wallet’s authenticity and to ensure it hasn’t been tampered with in the time between the device leaving the manufacturer and entering your possession.

As a general rule of thumb, the safest method is to source it directly from the manufacturer. However, in NZ we have a number of reputable, authorised retailers. The choice of course is up to you – ordering directly from Ledger is in theory the safest option, but ordering from an authorised retailer within NZ could mean the delivery wait time is far shorter.

Ledgers are manufactured in France, so unless buying locally it can take some time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Cryptocurrency wallets are free and cost nothing to set up and use – however you can buy Hardware wallets; the safest standard of cryptocurrency wallet in NZ. 

You just need a computer or smartphone that can connect to the internet.

Cryptocurrency NZ believe that hardware wallets like the Trezor and Ledger are the benchmark of crypto wallet security. They cost between $200 – $400 and will provide you will confidence knowing you have stored your funds in the safest means possible. 

Otherwise we’ve found Exodus to be extremely reliable, while also using MetaMask as our gateway to Web3. 

Wallets are free to set up and use, however you’ll need to pay a transaction fee when sending funds. This fee goes to the network, not the wallet provider. 

The exodus wallet is a safe option for storing your cryptocurrency. It is trusted by thousands of Kiwis here in NZ and is one of the most popular wallets around the world. When proper security measures are followed, the exodus wallet is a textbook example of a secure wallet for day-to-day use.

Investing in crypto is legal in NZ, therefore using a crypto wallet is also legal in NZ as a wallet is typically the first step in crypto investing. At the time of writing NZ regulations in regards to crypto are sparse, so it is advised to keep your eyes and ears peeled for when the time comes that the government attempts to regulate the crypto space.

Although you are required to store your Bitcoin in a Bitcoin wallet, your Ethereum in an Ethereum wallet, and so forth, it is possible to have one single ‘mega-wallet’ which allows you to store many various different types of crypto wallets in the one big wallet.

Examples include Trezor, Ledger, Exodus, and many more.

Ledger Wallet Pros and Cons

Pros

✔️ Security – Being a hardware wallet, Ledger wallets offer the highest degree of security for the storage of your crypto assets, by storing your private keys offline.

✔️ Password Protection – Ledger utilizes a password protection on all of their hardware wallets, adding an extra layer of security over your funds in the event that your Ledger wallet is lost ort fails

✔️ Design – The sleek ‘usb stick’ like design of Ledger hardware wallets are a main selling point for their users, this enables them to conveniently use the hardware wallet on the go and means the device is easy to hide in a secure location.

✔️ Price Point – Ledger are one of the cheapest leading manufacturers in the hardware wallets market. Their relatively low price point for the Nano S (and the new Nano S Plus) is a key attributor to drawing in their customers.

✔️ Multi-Currency Wallet – Ledger hardware wallets support over 5500 coins, however there are limits on how many different tokens you can store on your ledger at one time, depending on the model you choose (more on this below).

✔️ Bluetooth Connectivity – Ledger Nano X hardware wallets can connect to your device via encrypted Bluetooth.

Cons

❌ Small Screen – Although this may not be a con for some users, the screens on both Ledger hardware wallets are quite small relative to their competitors.

❌ Buttons – In order to interact with the hardware wallet you must use the 2 buttons that are built-in to the device. This may not strike as a disadvantage.

❌ Not Open Source – Ledger’s firmware is not open source, unlike many of their competitors. It is a hot topic of debate whether this affects the security of private keys stored on Ledger hardware wallets, you can read arguments this reddit thread.

❌ Limited storage – Ledger devices have limited storage for ‘apps’, this is important as each different coin you want to store on your Ledger will need an ‘app’ to be downloaded onto the device (e.g. you will need one app for BTC, another for ETH, another for XRP etc). Although Ledger does support over 5500 different tokens, you cannot store 5500 different tokens on the same device at one time – the storage capacity for apps will vary depending on which Ledger model you purchase (more on this below).

Cryptocurrency NZ Ledger Wallet Review

The Ledger company is headquartered in Paris and was founded in 2014 by 8 experts with backgrounds in embedded security, cryptocurrency, and entrepreneurship. The company’s mission is to “secure the new disruptive class of cryptocurrency assets

Ledger are one of the most popular crypto wallet providers in the world and since the launch of their first wallet in 2016, they have sold over 3 million Ledgers worldwide.

With the exception of The July 2020 data breach where the personal information belonging to hundreds of thousands of customers was leaked, Ledger as a company have held a high regard in the public eye and have been given great customer service reviews.

Ledger currently have 3 different models of their Ledger Nano hardware wallet on the market – the Ledger Nano X, the Ledger Nano S, and the new Ledger Nano S Plus. 

All 3 models are an extremely safe way to store your crypto assets and far outweigh the use of a traditional software wallet; however their most expensive ‘luxury’ model, the Ledger Nano X is packed with a considerable amount of extra features.

Buy Ledger X NZ

Ledger Nano X

Purchase Cost: $287 NZD 

Cloud Storage: No

Cold Storage: Yes

The Nano X is the most expensive Ledger hardware wallet on the market. It was released in 2019 and is arguably the best hardware wallet ever made by Ledger to date.

  • Supports: over 5500 different coins and tokens (including NFT management).
  • Connectivity: Connects to your device via USB-C cable as well as via Bluetooth.
  • Storage: up to 100 apps at a time.
  • Phone Connectivity: Both IOS and Android.
  • Battery: 8 hour battery life (in standby mode).
  • Screen: 128 x 64 pixels.
  • Size: 72mm x 18.6mm x 11.75mm.
  • Weight: 34 grams.

Ledger Nano S

Purchase Cost: $129 NZD 

Cloud Storage: No

Cold Storage: Yes

The Nano S is the first hardware wallet brought to market by Ledger. It was released back in 2016 and is an excellent, safe & affordable way to store your crypto assets, however if you have a diverse portfolio or tend to favour new technology.

  • Supports: over 5500 cryptocurrencies.
  • Connectivity: Connects to your device via micro-USB cable.
  • Storage: 3-7 apps simultaneously (more info below).
  • Phone Connectivity: Only Android (through the use of a cable / adaptor).
  • Battery: No battery life (as it only connects via cable).
  • Screen: 128 x 32 pixels.
  • Size: 56.95mm x 17.4mm x 9.1mm.
  • Weight: 16.2 grams.

Ledger Nano S Plus

Purchase Cost: $138 NZD 

Cloud Storage: No

Cold Storage: Yes

The Nano S Plus is the latest hardware wallet created by Ledger. It was released in Q1 2022 and is an excellent mid-point between their previous two models, achieving all of the shortcomings that came with the Nano S in terms of DeFi and NFT friendliness.

  • Supports: over 5500 different coins and tokens (including NFT management).
  • Connectivity: Connects to your device via USB-C cable as well as via Bluetooth.
  • Storage: up to 100 apps at a time.
  • Phone Connectivity: Both IOS and Android.
  • Battery: 8 hour battery life (in standby mode).
  • Screen: 128 x 64 pixels.
  • Size: 72mm x 18.6mm x 11.75mm.
  • Weight: 34 grams.
btc-usb-stick

Ledger Hardware Features

Private Keys:

When using a Ledger, or any hardware wallet for that matter – private keys are stored on the physical device and there is essentially an ‘air lock’ between the hardware wallet and your phone or computer. This is important because any device which connects to the internet can be infected with malware, which can be used to extract your private keys (if someone knows your private keys, they have full access to your crypto assets).

When you want to make a transaction this is initiated on your phone or laptop (you enter the receiving address, amount of tokens etc) and then the transaction details are sent to the hardware wallet to be externally signed off. Once you confirm the transaction details and sign off on the transaction with your wallet, the signed transaction is sent back to the device where the transaction initiated and from there the network will begin processing it. 

Ledger-Nano-X-Ledger-Nano-S

LCD Screen:

The LCD screen on Ledger devices are a vital part of how you operate the hardware wallet. The screen enables you to view and verify the receiving address and number of tokens before you sign off on a transaction.

The screen size and design of the Nano S and Nano X differ greatly. The Nano S has a screen size of 128 x 32 pixels and there is a noticeable border where the screen and the plastic meet. The Nano X and Nano S Plus on the other hand, as expected being the newer and more expensive models, have a better design – they boasts a screen size of 128 x 64 pixels and have more of a seamless border where the screen and plastic meet. 

Buttons:

Using the buttons on the Ledger device is how you enter your password and interact with the hardware wallet. The left and right buttons are used to make selections or move along a list of options, pressing both buttons will confirm an action and move to the next step.

The Ledger Nano S model has buttons located on the side of the device. Though this looks perfectly functional in the picture above, it falls short in comparison to the Ledger Nano X, whose buttons are rounded and sit flush into the front facing design.

KYC Verification NZ

Ledger Wallet Software Features

Closed Soruce:

Using the buttons on the Ledger device is how you enter your password and interact with the hardware wallet. The left and right buttons are used to make selections or move along a list of options, pressing both buttons will confirm an action and move to the next step.

The Ledger Nano S model has buttons located on the side of the device. Though this looks perfectly functional in the picture above, it falls short in comparison to the Ledger Nano X, whose buttons are rounded and sit flush into the front facing design.

Having open source software and firmware is crucial in the crypto space. Here at Cryptocurrency NZ we strongly believe that due to the decentralised nature of cryptocurrency, when it comes to the safety and security of people’s money, it is a major safeguard to have all products and services unrestrictedly examined and stress tested.

Apps and Storage:

(For the technologically inclined)

To fully understand why storage limits within a hardware wallet might be a negative factor, you must first understand what Ledger’s apps are and what they are used for.

Ledger hardware wallets require applications to be downloaded onto the device, these apps play a vital role in the management of your crypto assets. The applications can be downloaded within the Ledger Live app when the device is plugged in and Ledger have a dedicated app for each cryptocurrency that can be stored within their wallet.

When these apps are on the Ledger wallet it calculates the private keys relative to what apps are downloaded, 100% based on the 24 word recovery phrase. Apps also enable the verification of receiving addresses and transactions (on the device’s screen).

As we mentioned above, hardware wallets calculate the corresponding private keys based on the 24-word recovery phrase. This is done through the use of a specific parameter called a derivation path; the specifics are not hugely important to this guide, however this does mean that if an app is removed from the Ledger and then re-downloaded again, the private keys would be the same and ownership of the corresponding cryptocurrency address would be provable, meaning you will still have access to those funds.

All Ledger Nano wallets have limited storage built into their hardware, the Ledger Nano S can store between 3 and 7 apps simultaneously depending on the size of the app, and the Nano X and S Plus can store up to 100 apps simultaneously.

Baring in mind that you can delete and re-download apps on Ledger hardware wallets at your convenience, in our opinion the Nano X and S Plus are still at a significant advantage; however using the Nano S and moving around the apps as needed might be the best option for Kiwis looking to find a cheaper alternative to the latest generation of wallets.

Ledger Wallet UI

Ledger Live:

Ledger Live is the default software wallet intended to be used alongside all Ledger hardware wallets. Within the Ledger Live application you can see an in depth view of your portfolio, manage your assets, exchange currencies (although we do not recommend using this feature), and of course send and receive transactions.

Third Party Wallets

One beneficial feature of Ledger hardware wallets is that they are compatible with many third party software wallets; that means if for any reason you do not wish to use the Ledger Live interface, you can choose from a plethora of third party wallets such as Metamask, MyEtherWallet, Coinbase, among many more.

It is commendable that Ledger enables compatibility with software wallets other than their own version as it promotes freedom of choice as well as serving as an excellent backup option in the event of Ledger Live having downtime etc. Using a Ledger hardware wallet in conjunction with a legitimate third party UI is perfectly safe and secure.

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Cryptocurrency NZ Final Verdict

Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or a newcomer in the crypto space, we strongly emphasize the importance of using a hardware wallet. Countless stories of lost funds due to hacks, bad actors, or exchange failures can be prevented with a hardware wallet.

While some may view it as an additional cost, we urge you to consider the peace of mind it provides. Losing access to assets, especially when their value skyrockets in the future, is preventable with a small investment in a hardware wallet. At Cryptocurrency NZ, we prioritize security and all use hardware wallets to safeguard our long-term holdings.

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Disclaimer: All content in this guide is intended for educational purposes only and should not be interpreted as financial advice. As an individual, you are entirely responsible for how you conduct your investments and manage your cryptocurrency interests. It is exclusively your own responsibility to perform due diligence and Cryptocurrency NZ recommends taking extreme care and caution with crypto and are not responsible for the outcomes, management, or oversight of your activities.