Ledger Nano X Review

What Is the Ledger Nano X?

The Ledger Nano X is a hardware wallet manufactured by Ledger SAS (France), founded in 2014. It is one of the most widely used hardware wallets globally, supporting over 5,500 cryptocurrencies. The Nano X is the Bluetooth-enabled premium model in Ledger's lineup, designed for mobile use through the Ledger Live app.

How the Ledger Nano X Works

The Ledger Nano X stores private keys inside a certified secure element chip — the same type used in credit cards and passports. Private keys are generated on the device during setup and never leave it. When you initiate a transaction on Ledger Live, the unsigned transaction is sent to the Nano X, you review and confirm it on the device screen, and the device sends back only the cryptographic signature.

This means that even if your computer or phone is completely compromised by malware, an attacker cannot access your private keys — because they only ever exist inside the hardware device.

Security Features

• Secure element chip (CC EAL5+): A certified chip designed to resist physical and side-channel attacks. The same class of chip protects government IDs and banking cards.
• Custom operating system (BOLOS): Ledger runs a proprietary OS designed to isolate applications from each other and from the main system.
• PIN code: The device requires a PIN to unlock. After three incorrect attempts, the device wipes itself — meaning a thief cannot brute-force the PIN.
• 24-word seed phrase: Generated on-device during setup. This is your backup. Store it securely offline. See our seed phrase safety guide.
• Passphrase support: An optional 25th word adds another layer — useful for advanced users who want a hidden wallet.

Ledger Nano X vs Ledger Nano S Plus

Coin Support

Ledger supports over 5,500 cryptocurrencies and tokens including BTC, ETH, USDT (on multiple networks), SOL, XRP, ADA, DOGE, DOT, MATIC, and thousands of ERC-20 tokens. Support is managed through Ledger Live and the growing library of apps you install on the device.

Ledger Live App

Ledger Live is Ledger's companion application, available on desktop (Mac, Windows, Linux) and mobile (iOS, Android). It lets you check balances, install coin apps on the device, send and receive crypto, and stake supported assets. The mobile app connects to the Nano X via Bluetooth.

The 2020 Data Breach

In 2020, Ledger's marketing database was compromised in a data breach. Approximately one million customer email addresses were leaked, along with physical addresses and phone numbers for roughly 270,000 customers. No private keys, seed phrases, or cryptocurrency funds were affected — only customer contact data.

This led to targeted phishing campaigns where attackers sent emails and packages impersonating Ledger. Ledger has since been used to argue that Ledger's security infrastructure is imperfect at the company level, even if the wallet hardware itself remains secure. It is worth being aware of when evaluating Ledger as a company.

Who Is the Ledger Nano X Suitable For?

• Users with a diverse portfolio of cryptocurrencies who need broad coin support
• People who want to use a hardware wallet with a mobile phone (Bluetooth)
• Those who prefer a hardware wallet with a proven market track record
• Intermediate to advanced users comfortable with hardware wallet setup

The Nano X is generally not the first choice for users who prioritize fully open-source firmware or those uncomfortable with the Bluetooth feature. See our Ledger vs Trezor comparison for an alternative perspective.