In fact, according to the Association for the Development of Digital Assets (ADAN), more than 200 French and European companies will be part of its network by 2025. The La French Chain directory has also listed 240 blockchain companies based in France. These cryptocurrency companies are mainly concentrated in three regions, with 80% of them located in Île-de-France, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur and Occitanie.
What is particularly impressive about the French blockchain ecosystem is the emergence of genuine unicorns. We currently have 27 unicorns in France, including cryptocurrency companies such as Ledger, valued at $1.3 billion, and Sorare, which has raised the largest amount of funding in the history of French Tech with $680 million in 2021. In addition, 14 startups in the sector have collectively raised $2.4 billion, an average of $168 million per company.
In this guide, we will explore in detail the landscape of blockchain companies in France in 2025, their geographical distribution, the success stories of our national unicorns, as well as the growing involvement of major groups and institutions such as Bpifrance, which has already financed more than 200 blockchain/crypto startups and recently created a €25 million fund dedicated to token investments.
Overview of blockchain startups in France
Image Source: Sifted
Overview of blockchain startups in France
The French blockchain ecosystem is set to grow considerably by 2025, reflecting the accelerated maturation of the sector. Let's take a closer look at this remarkable development, which is positioning France as a key player on the European and global stage.
Growth of the crypto market in 2025
In 2025, the cryptocurrency market in France will reach an impressive turnover of 2.86 billion euros [1]. This market is expected to grow at an annual rate of 2.69% between 2025 and 2026. [1]. The average income per user is 178.63 euros. [1]The total number of users is expected to reach 16.37 million by 2026. [1]. The current penetration rate is 23.96%, with a projection of 24.52% for next year. [1].
Significantly, although the adoption rate of cryptocurrencies has stabilised at 10% [1]French interest in this sector is exploding, with 33% of them planning to acquire digital assets in 2025, an increase of 10 points in one year. [1]. What's more, almost 90% of French people claim to be familiar with cryptocurrencies [1]A sign of massive awareness.
Number of blockchain companies in France
France now has more than 500 specialist companies in blockchain technologies [1]when Europe as a whole is home to around 3,000 start-ups in this field [1]. According to more precise data from Tracxn, there are exactly 776 blockchain companies in France. [2]218 of which obtained financing [2]. Of these, 31 reached Series A level or above, and 10 Series B level or above. [2].
2021 remains the record year with 161 blockchain startups created [2]while other sources such as Surfe.comlists up to 1,055 French blockchain companies [3]. These figures vary according to the classification criteria, but confirm the dynamism of the sector.
Role of ADAN and specialist directories
The Association pour le Développement des Actifs Numériques (ADAN) plays a central role in the French blockchain ecosystem. With over 200 member companies by 2025 [4]This non-profit organisation brings together major players such as Ark Ecosystem, Blockchain Partner, Coinhouse and Ledger. [5]. Its main mission is to create a favourable environment for the development of the crypto-asset industry in France and Europe. [5].
At the same time, a number of specialist directories such as Les Pépites Tech [6]Unicorn Society [7] and Seedtable [4] are helping to map this rapidly expanding ecosystem. These platforms not only list the players in the market but also track their development and innovations, facilitating connections between investors and project developers.
Geographical breakdown of crypto companies
Image Source: Certified blockchain training
Geographical breakdown of crypto companies
France's crypto startups are mainly concentrated in three major geographical clusters, which form the backbone of blockchain innovation in the country.
Île-de-France: the heart of the ecosystem
Paris Region is the undisputed epicentre of the French blockchain ecosystem, with 153 of the 240 companies listed by La French Chain [1]. This dominance is due in particular to the concentration of investors and the presence of a mature ecosystem. Paris attracts talent thanks to salaries that are on average 20% to 30% higher than in other regional metropolises. [8]. It features actors such as Ledger, Coinhouse, Kleros and Trakx.iobased in the capital [9].
PACA and Occitania: expanding hubs
The PACA region is France's second-largest blockchain hub, particularly in the Bouches-du-Rhône, which is home to 16 companies. [1]. In 2025, the Palais des Festivals in Cannes will host two major events dedicated to blockchain: the Ethereum Community Conference and ETH Global. [10]. Occitanie, the third-largest region, stands out with a cryptocurrency adoption rate of 15.6% compared with 12.4% nationally [2]. Start-ups such as Sunchain in Perpignan and Daneel in Montpellier are based here. [1].
Other dynamic regions: Lyon, Lille, Nantes, Biarritz
Several other regions are emerging as hubs of blockchain innovation. Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes stands out with companies such as iExec in Lyon, which specialises in decentralised cloud computing. [1]. In the Hauts-de-France region, Lille is home to Utocat, which develops blockchain solutions for banks. [1]. In the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, Biarritz is home to StackinSat, which specialises in Bitcoin savings. [1]. In Nantes, Unikname is working on decentralised identity [1]. Although less competitive, these regional ecosystems offer an attractive living environment for Web3 entrepreneurs.
French pure players and unicorns on the Web3
France has established itself as a fertile breeding ground for Web3 pure players, with a number of unicorns having a global reach.
Ledger: security of digital assets
Valued at 1.5 billion dollars [3]Ledger has become the world leader in hardware wallets for cryptocurrencies. The company secures around 20% of the world's crypto assets. [11] thanks to its expertise in embedded security. Its Ledger Vault solution enables financial institutions to manage their digital assets with fully customisable multi-authorisation governance. [12]This eliminates the risks associated with 'hot' portfolios.
Sorare: fantasy sport and NFT
This French unicorn, valued at 4.6 billion dollars [3]has revolutionised fantasy football thanks to NFT. Founded in 2018 by Nicolas Julia and Adrien Montfort [13]Sorare has raised €680 million in 2021 in a financing round led by SoftBank [14]. The platform allows users to acquire player cards in the form of non-fungible tokens and now has over 5 million registered users. [15].
The Sandbox: metavers and virtual property
This decentralised metaverse allows users to buy, develop and monetise virtual land represented by NFTs. The Sandbox has sold over €1.58 million worth of virtual land [16]offering owners the opportunity to host games, multiplayer experiences and social hubs. [17].
Flowdesk: crypto market maker
Founded in 2020, Flowdesk has established itself as a major player in crypto market making. The company recently completed a €97.33 million fundraising round [18]including an extension led by HV Capital and debt with funds managed by BlackRock. Flowdesk to increase sales eightfold by 2024 [5] and offers liquidity solutions for foundations, token issuers and exchanges.
Byzantine, Kriptown, Ownest: new start-ups to watch
These start-ups represent the future of the French blockchain ecosystem. Byzantine, founded in 2024, is developing a restaking infrastructure and has raised €2.86 million. [4]. Kriptown revolutionises investment in start-ups with its tokenised neo-exchange [19]which now includes Caceis, BNP Paribas and Bpifrance among its shareholders [20]. Ownest offers blockchain solutions for logistics traceability and asset management. [1].
The involvement of major groups and institutions
As well as start-ups, major French groups are now making a massive commitment to the blockchain world, bringing credibility and capital to the national crypto ecosystem.
Banking and insurance: SG Forge, BNP, AXA
Societe Generale stands out with SG Forge, a subsidiary dedicated to digital assets, which issued the first covered bond in the form of a token on a public blockchain. At the same time, BNP Paribas is experimenting with securities delivery and settlement solutions via its Digital Asset Custody platform. AXA, meanwhile, is exploring smart contracts to automate travel insurance claims.
Retail and luxury: Carrefour, LVMH, Casino
Carrefour is using blockchain to trace more than 30 food products, while LVMH has launched AURA, a platform certifying the authenticity of luxury goods. The Casino group is also testing cryptocurrency payments in certain shops.
Energy and industry: EDF, Engie, Renault
EDF invests in Exaion, a low-carbon blockchain infrastructure solution. Engie is developing TEO, a green energy certification platform. Renault is implementing XCEED for the traceability of its car parts.
Role of Bpifrance and public funds
Bpifrance is playing a crucial role with its Digital Venture fund, which has invested in 200 blockchain start-ups. The French government is also stepping up its support via the France 2030 programme, dedicating 500 million euros the technologies of the future, including blockchain.
Conclusion
France is now a fertile breeding ground for blockchain innovation, with a dynamic ecosystem that includes more than 500 specialist companies. This remarkable growth is certainly positioning the Hexagone among Europe's leaders in Web3. French unicorns such as Ledger and Sorare are spreading well beyond our borders, proving the innovative capacity of our entrepreneurs.
The commitment of France's major groups also bears witness to the sector's maturity. Société Générale, BNP Paribas and LVMH are gradually adopting these technologies to transform their business models. At the same time, support from Bpifrance and public funds is accelerating this momentum, guaranteeing a promising future for our crypto ecosystem.
The geographical distribution of players shows a strategic concentration around three major centres, with the Île-de-France region dominating the landscape. Nevertheless, initiatives are multiplying in all regions, creating a coherent and complementary territorial network.
As the market continues to expand, we are seeing a real democratisation of cryptocurrencies among the general public in France. Nearly 90% from the French is now familiar with these digital assets, while 33% plans to acquire more in the near future.
In view of this considerable potential, we invite you to follow our "DRVL Token" project on our platform dedicated to our token. https://token.deravel.com. This initiative is perfectly in line with the national dynamic we are observing.
So the future looks particularly bright for the French blockchain ecosystem. The solid foundations laid in recent years, combined with a regulatory framework that is gradually being adapted, point to sustained growth through to 2030. France is thus confirming its place as one of the nations shaping the world's digital future.
FAQs
Q1. What is the current size of the crypto market in France? In 2025, the cryptocurrency market in France will reach a turnover of €2.86 billion, with an annual growth rate of 2.69% forecast for 2025-2026.
Q2. Where are blockchain companies mainly concentrated in France? The majority of French blockchain companies are located in three main regions: Île-de-France, which largely dominates, followed by Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur and Occitanie.
Q3. What are the main French unicorns in the Web3 sector? French Web3 unicorns include Ledger, which specialises in digital asset security, and Sorare, which has revolutionised fantasy football thanks to NFT.
Q4: How are major French groups getting involved in blockchain? Major French groups such as Société Générale, BNP Paribas and LVMH are gradually adopting blockchain technologies to transform their business models in a range of sectors including finance, luxury goods and energy.
Q5. What is Bpifrance's role in the French blockchain ecosystem? Bpifrance plays a crucial role in supporting the French blockchain ecosystem, notably through its Digital Venture fund, which has invested in 200 blockchain start-ups, helping to accelerate the sector.
References
[1] – https://www.bbschool.fr/main-blog/entreprises-blockchain-basees-en-france
[2] – https://fr.linkedin.com/posts/entreprises-occitanie_cryptomonnaies-en-occitanie-la-prudence-activity-7340989218799706112-Mo7E
[3] – https://www.licornesociety.com/startup-lists/licornes-francaises
[4] – https://www.seedtable.com/best-crypto-web3-startups-in-france
[5] – https://www.mind.eu.com/fintech/investissement/cryptoactifs/le-market-maker-crypto-flowdesk-leve-52-millions-de-dollars-dont-10-millions-en-dette-aupres-de-blackrock/
[6] – https://lespepitestech.com/startup-collection/blockchain
[7] – https://www.licornesociety.com/startup-lists/startups-web3
[8] – https://www.latribune.fr/technos-medias/innovation-et-start-up/metiers-tech-les-regions-de-plus-en-plus-attractives-malgre-des-salaires-25-inferieurs-a-paris-841294.html
[9] – https://www.f6s.com/companies/cryptocurrency/france/co
[10] – https://www.nice-premium.com/the-french-riviera-emerges-as-a-technology-hub-focusing-on-blockchain-and-cryptocurrencies/
[11] – https://enterprise.ledger.com/
[12] – https://www.ledger.com/welcome-to-digital-asset-custody-a-city-of-trade-offs
[13] – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sorare
[14] – https://www.ledger.com/th/academy/what-is-sorare
[15] – https://www.ledgerinsights.com/sorare-fantasy-sports-nft-without-crypto/
[16] – https://gamesbeat.com/the-sandbox-sells-1-66m-of-virtual-land-for-its-metaverse/
[17] – https://www.sandbox.game/en/blog/what-is-metaverse-land-a-guide-to-virtual-real-estate/3363/
[18] – https://www.flowdesk.co/
[19] – https://www.kriptown.com/en
[20] – https://en.paperjam.lu/article/caceis-acquires-minority-stake-in-french-fintech-kriptown
