Disclosure: This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice.
Ledger has rolled out native support for Etherlink — the EVM-compatible smart rollup built on Tezos — bringing full XTZ functionality to Ledger signers and Ledger Wallet users.
What’s new
– Ledger’s integration extends its existing Tezos Layer 1 support to Etherlink, enabling users to hold, sign and manage Etherlink-based XTZ directly in Ledger Wallet on desktop and mobile.
– Clear Signing is available for tez transfers on Etherlink, and Ledger signer support opens the door for institutional custody workflows.
– Users gain account visualization (balances and transaction history), swap functionality, and access to Etherlink DeFi protocols such as Curve, Morpho, Uniswap — plus emerging platforms like uranium.io.
– Native staking support for Tezos on Ledger is coming, promising easier participation and the potential for additional yield under hardware-enforced self-custody.
Why this matters
Ledger has supported Tezos delegation since 2019 — more than 10 million tez have been delegated via Ledger Wallet for voting power. Adding native staking and Etherlink compatibility makes it simpler and more secure for Ledger users to both secure the Tezos network and interact with EVM-style DeFi without leaving their hardware wallet environment.
Etherlink’s growth helps explain the timing. Built on Tezos Smart Rollups, Etherlink runs EVM code with fast, low-cost transactions — sub-second confirmations and fees under $0.01 — positioning it as a cost-conscious alternative to Ethereum for DeFi projects. Clear signing and signer support make Etherlink especially attractive to institutions seeking secure, auditable transaction flows.
Voices from the ecosystem
“Uncompromising security is essential for users of Tezos and Etherlink, and this made enhanced support in the Ledger ecosystem a top priority,” said Charles Guillemet, CTO at Ledger. “With hardware-enforced clear signing for every Tezos and Etherlink transaction, users can confidently interact with DeFi knowing their assets are protected by Ledger’s uncompromising security.”
“This integration represents a significant step in making Tezos and Etherlink assets more accessible to users who prioritize security,” added Anthony Hayot, Head of DeFi Partnerships at Nomadic Labs. “With this Ledger integration, we’re ensuring that our ecosystem benefits from industry-leading hardware wallet protection while maintaining the seamless user experience that drives adoption.”
Ledger at a glance
Celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2024, Ledger provides hardware and platform security for retail and institutional crypto users. The company reports over 8 million consumer devices sold across 165+ countries, partnerships with 100+ financial institutions and commercial brands, and says more than 20% of the world’s crypto assets are secured via Ledger devices. Ledger Donjon, the firm’s offensive security team, is a core resource for digital-asset security.
Quick primer: Tezos and Etherlink
– Tezos: An energy-efficient, open-source Proof-of-Stake blockchain known for on-chain governance, upgradability and smart contract capabilities, used by institutions and developers for scalable dApp deployments.
– Etherlink: An EVM-compatible chain powered by Tezos Smart Rollups that lets developers deploy EVM code and migrate users and assets from Ethereum and other chains for cross-network interaction.
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