Why do I need a hardware wallet?
Holding your NFTs in a hardware wallet ensures that your art will be protected even if your computer is comprised.
The crypto space moves fast and you’ll be clicking on all kinds of links and messaging all kinds of people. Setting up a hardware wallet will be an extra layer of security and it’ll give you a peace of mind to know that your assets have been protected from malware and vulnerabilities.
Now let’s set up your hardware wallet!
1. Buy a hardware wallet.
There’s a great selection of hardware wallets available, just make you sure you buy it directly from the manufacturer to avoid buying a wallet that’s been tampered with.
I personally use both Ledger and Trezor but we’ll be focusing on Ledger for this post.
2. Set up your hardware wallet
Ledger has a custom software that will guide you through the set up.
Plug your ledger in your PC and Ledger Live will guide you through the process.
You can read more about getting started on Ledger Live on their official site
3. Store your recovery seedphrase offline.
Write down your seed phrase and keep it somewhere safe.
Do not store your seed phrase on your computer or phone as it can be accessed easily if you ever get hacked. Write it on paper with a few copies and keep it somewhere safe.
4. Confirm your seedphrase on the device.
Ledger live will ask you to select your seed phrase to make sure you wrote it down correctly.
5. Add an ETH account your wallet.
Go to the Ledger Live software and search for Ethereum in the My Ledger tab.
Add and install Ethereum app to your account.
You’re now able to transact on Ethereum!
6. How to start using your hardware wallet
You can directly transact through Ledger Live or connect your hardware wallet to Metamask.
Connecting to Metamask
- Login into your Metamask and click on the top right hand corner.
[If you haven’t set up a Metamask wallet yet you can find instructions here:
How to mint an NFT: A step by step guide] - In “My Account” scroll down and click “Connect to Hardware wallet”
Do not “Import account” as that would be feeding your seedphrase into your computer.
If you ever type or reveal your seedphrase on your computer it’s no longer a cold wallet.
- Check your Ledger device and unlock it.
- Click on your Ledger account address on Metamask.
- On your Ledger device, click Ethereum application.
Now you’re connected!