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Cardano (ADA)

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This article will help you set up your first Ledger Cardano (ADA) account.

  You can learn more about the Cardano project here.

Before you start

All set? Great, let’s dive in.

Install Cardano (ADA) on your Ledger device

  1. Connect your Ledger device and unlock it.
  2. In Ledger Live, navigate to My Ledger.
  3. Confirm that you allow My Ledger to access your device. You can do that by clicking both buttons on your device simultaneously. 
  4. Go back to Ledger Live. In My Ledger, head over to App catalog and search for Cardano (ADA).

    Cardano_install.png
  5. Click Install.

Cardano is installed on your Ledger device. Now let’s add it to Ledger Live.

Add Cardano (ADA) account to Ledger Live

  1. In the left sidebar menu, go to Accounts.
  2. Click Add account.
  3. Choose Cardano from the drop-down list.Add_accounts.png
  4. Click Continue.
  5. Connect your device to Ledger Live and unlock it.
  6. Open the Cardano app on your device.
  7. Click Add account.

That’s it, the Cardano account is added to Portfolio.

Account_added.png

Receive Cardano (ADA)
  1. Connect your Ledger device to your computer and unlock it.
  2. Using the buttons, open the Cardano ADA app on your device.
    Your Ledger displays: Application is ready
  3. Open Ledger Live and click Receive.
  4. In the drop-down list, select Cardano and click Continue.

    Cardano_receive.png
    Your Ledger device displays: Verify address.
  5. Press both buttons simultaneously to review the Spending path and the Staking key path.
  6. Use the right button to scroll through the Address. Make sure the address that shows on your device screen is idential to the one in Ledger Live.
  7. If all looks good, press both buttons and then again press both buttons one more time to Confirm the address.
    cardano_address.gif
  8. Copy the address and share it with the sender. Ensure that the address does not change after you copy/paste it.

 

Send Cardano (ADA)

You can send Cardano from your account, using a Ledger device to verify and approve transactions.

Pro tip: Send a small amount first and verify that the transaction was received before sending larger amounts. If you’re unsure whether a transaction was successful, check back in a few minutes.

Note: To submit transactions, a Cardano account must have a minimum balance of 1 ADA, not including the network fees. That means the absolute minimum transaction is 1 ADA + fees. 

Send Cardano (ADA) with Ledger Live

  1. In the left sidebar menu, go to Accounts and click Cardano.
  2. You’ll see that you can send and receive ADA. Click Send.
  3. Enter the recipient address. Double-check the address and click Continue.
  4. Enter the amount you want to send.Cardano_send.png
  5. Check the transaction summary—Amount, Network fees, and Total to debit—and click Continue.
  6. Confirm and approve the transaction on your Ledger device—press both buttons simultaneously to Approve. Press both buttons simultaneously to Accept and send the transaction.

The transaction is sent. Your account balance will be updated when the blockchain confirms the transaction.

Note: If you hold Cardano tokens or NFTs, some of your ADA will be bonded to these tokens. This happens because the Cardano network requires you to lock away some ADA for every token and NFT your wallet holds. The locked ADA will still appear in the total balance of your account. However, when transferring ADA to another address, you won’t be able to spend bonded ADA.

Manage Cardano native tokens with Ledger

If you have a Cardano account you can also manage its native tokens. At the moment, there are 100 tokens available. 

The process of adding a native token to your Ledger account and device is simple:

  1. In the left sidebar menu, click Receive.
  2. Choose the Cardano account where you want the native token to be deposited.Receive_tokens.png
  3. Click Continue.
  4. Connect your device to Ledger Live and unlock it.Open_ADA_on_your_device.png
  5. The address will be displayed on your device and in Ledger Live.
  6. Verify that the address shown on your device matches the address displayed in Ledger Live.
  7. If they match, approve the address on your device—press the right button on your device until you see Approve. Click both buttons simultaneously for approval.
  8. Copy the address.
  9. Send the native token to the address.

Note: Sometimes you won't see all of your tokens in Ledger Live. This usually happens when a token isn't supported by Ledger. In that case, you can:

  1. browse the list of supported tokens and see if the token is listed,
  2. check your balance with another wallet, or
  3. use an explorer such as Cardanoscan.

Speaking of balances, if you go to your account, you'll see two balances: total and available. Keep in mind that the maximum amount you can send doesn't always equal your total balance but your available balance.

Next Steps

  • Learn how to access your Cardano NFTs using Nami wallet.
  • Stake your ADA coins with your Ledger and Ledger Live. Click here to learn more.
  • Swap Cardano tokens via Minswap.
  • Buy ADA directly into your Ledger Cardano account through Ledger Live. Learn more here.
  • Learn more about ADA and the Cardano network here.

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