In the chic Le Marais district of Paris, blockchain company Ledger has unveiled its striking new headquarters, a nine-story structure blending Silicon Valley innovation with the grandeur of French history. Designed to reflect Ledger’s vision as a global leader in hardware cryptocurrency wallets, the headquarters celebrates the company’s 10th anniversary and embodies a fusion of modern technology and historical inspiration.
Ledger, valued at €1 billion ($1.5 billion), spared no expense on the multimillion-euro project, which includes unique amenities such as a basketball court, an exercise studio, and a 360-degree rooftop view of Paris featuring a bar. CEO Pascal Gauthier drew inspiration from Apple’s iconic Cupertino campus and France’s Château de Chambord, built by King Francis I as a symbol of power and innovation.
“My thinking [for the building] went to what Apple did for designing hardware in Cupertino,” Gauthier told Euronews Next. “The other inspiration was Château de Chambord. Chambord was built as a marketing/propaganda tool to show that François I was the king.”
The headquarters also serves as a physical representation of Ledger’s ethos, with its black-themed interiors accented by natural light, original NFT artwork, and generative art. “It’s a physical location that shows what Ledger is about: hardware products that you can see and touch,” Gauthier said, noting that the space is intended as a global hub for the crypto community.
A Resilient Industry
Ledger’s new home opens during a promising period for cryptocurrency, which has rebounded from the scandals of recent years, including high-profile fraud cases. The re-election of pro-crypto U.S. President Donald Trump and the growing institutional embrace of Bitcoin have bolstered industry optimism.
“I don’t think anyone can stop Bitcoin or stop this movement now because it’s too deeply entrenched in the way that people want to exchange value,” Gauthier remarked. He attributed the resurgence not only to political developments but also to the growing support from Wall Street giants and asset managers like BlackRock.
Gauthier expressed confidence in the future of the industry, emphasizing its maturity and potential for innovation. “What the industry can do in the next ten years, I think, is mind-blowing compared to what has happened in the past,” he said.
Vision for the Future
Ledger has sold over 7 million hardware wallets globally, with a goal of protecting 10% of the world’s population within the next decade. Gauthier envisions Ledger becoming the “Apple of this world,” driven by innovation and increasing adoption of digital assets.
The company’s connection to tech visionaries is strengthened by the addition of Tony Fadell, creator of the iPod and co-creator of the iPhone, to its board. “Tony has the experience of being at Apple and reporting to Steve Jobs. His advice is invaluable,” Gauthier said.
As Ledger’s state-of-the-art headquarters stands as a beacon of the crypto industry’s ambitions, Gauthier is optimistic that the next decade will cement its role in shaping the future of digital finance.