What Is a Hardware Wallet and How It Works with Guarda

Hardware wallets are considered one of the safest ways to store cryptocurrency. You can connect the device to Guarda and view and manage your assets through the familiar wallet interface, while your private keys remain securely stored offline. Guarda currently supports Ledger and ERA hardware wallets on Web and Desktop. We're working to add more Guarda integrations.

What Is a Hardware Wallet?

A hardware wallet is a physical device that generates and securely stores private keys used for your crypto. During setup, it also generates a recovery phrase (mnemonic) that allows you to restore the wallet if the device is ever lost or damaged.

Your crypto itself still exists on the blockchain, but unlike a software wallet, a hardware wallet keeps those keys isolated from your computer and internet connection. Even when you connect the hardware wallet to your computer, its private keys do not leave the device.

Guarda prepares a transaction and shows you its details, but the hardware wallet authorizes it. A hardware wallet does not remove your responsibility for protecting your crypto.

If you connect Guarda to your hardware wallet, you have to approve transactions physically on the device. If someone gains access to your computer, they cannot simply extract the private keys or send your funds.

How Guarda Works with a Hardware Wallet

A hardware wallet is an encouraged way to hold cryptocurrency for months or years and reduce your savings’ exposure to malware and phishing attacks. The decision depends on the value of your holdings, how often you use them, and how much additional security you want.

When you connect a Ledger or ERA hardware wallet, Guarda acts as the interface you use to manage the assets associated with that device.

• Guarda displays your balances, generates receiving addresses, and prepares outgoing transactions.
• When you send crypto, the hardware wallet signs the transaction inside the device.
• The signed transaction then returns to Guarda, which broadcasts it to the blockchain.

Throughout this process, the private keys never leave your Ledger or ERA device.

Things to Remember

1. Buy hardware wallets only from official manufacturers or authorized sellers. Do not choose a used device for your own safety.
2. Keep the recovery phrase offline and store it separately from the device. Never enter it into a website, send it through a chat, or share it with anyone.
3. No legitimate support team will ever ask for your recovery phrase or private keys. People who actually represent Guarda, Ledger, or ERA don’t need your credentials to help you.
4. Before approving a transaction, verify the recipient address, network, and amount on the hardware wallet’s own screen.
5. Keep the device firmware and its supporting software updated using official tools.