Intro to Cardano
Start Using Cardano

Start Using Cardano

Getting started on Cardano is easy. First, you'll set up a Cardano wallet. Then, buy ADA on a cryptocurrency exchange and send it to your wallet. At this point you can transact it, stake it to earn rewards, or use a Cardano dApp (decentralized application).

Here is a step-by-step guide:

Make a Wallet

A wallet allows you to store, manage, and transact with digital assets. We will set this up first so it is ready to receive the ADA once you've purchased it on an exchange.

Choose a Wallet

The first step is to choose a wallet.

For desktop: Nami (opens in a new tab) and Lace (opens in a new tab) are simplified desktop wallets that are perfect for first-time users. Typhon (opens in a new tab) and Eternl (opens in a new tab) are more advanced desktop wallets that offer a number of interesting features.

For mobile: Vespr (opens in a new tab), Begin (opens in a new tab), and Flint (opens in a new tab) are some go-to options that are largely adopted by the community.

For security: To hold ADA most securely, it is recommended to use a hardware wallet (opens in a new tab). These physical devices require a pin code on the device to authorize any transaction. They can be used with most Cardano wallets. Well-known options include Trezor (opens in a new tab) and Tangem (opens in a new tab).

The resources below give further advice for choosing and securing a wallet. Don't worry too much about choosing the perfect wallet because you can switch later, or even use different wallets to manage a single account's assets.

Set up the Wallet

Setting up a Cardano wallet involves downloading a wallet application, creating a new wallet, and securely storing the generated recovery phrase for future access.

Important Things to Know

Guides to set up your Wallet

Buy ADA

ADA is available to buy on many Centralized Exchanges (CEXs).

Choose an Exchange and make an Account

Here are some considerations when choosing an exchange (opens in a new tab) and here is a list of all the centralized exchanges that sell ADA (opens in a new tab). You can choose one with a good reputation that's available in your country.

If you want to make it easy you can choose one of the largest, most trusted exchanges from the options below:
Cardano on Kraken (opens in a new tab)
Cardano on Binance (opens in a new tab)
Cardano on Coinbase (opens in a new tab)

When you create an account it is recommended to use a strong password and 2FA for added security.

Fund the Exchange

To fund your exchange account you'll first link it to your bank account or another funding method. Follow the instructions on your exchange to do this. Once it is linked you can fund send money into the exchange to prepare to trade.

Make a Purchase Order

Once you have money on the exchange you can set an order. You can buy at the current price by using a "market order". If you want to try and get a lower price you can set a specific low price using a "limit order", in which case the order will execute if ADA hits that price. There are some other order types (opens in a new tab) too but they are not really needed to get started.

Send the ADA to your Wallet

Once you have purchased your ADA on an exchange you can send it to your wallet. This guide explains (opens in a new tab) how to send ADA from an exchange to a wallet.

Use the Cardano Network

Once you have some ADA in your wallet there are many options available:

  • Stake your ADA (opens in a new tab)
  • Send and receive assets
  • Trade for other tokens on a decentralized exchange (DEX)
  • Use decentralized application (dApp)
  • Buy an NFT on an NFT marketplace

Here are some guides and videos to get started using Cardano:

You can also browse an ecosystem explorer (opens in a new tab) to see a full range of decentralized apps (dApps) available to you.