While crypto users are faced with growing security concerns of their possessions, the question of who truly controls them has never been more critical. Exchange hacks are a constant reminder that comfort often comes at a cost. Users explore self-custody as an alternative mode to secure their properties. But is this really a reliable choice?
To unpack what self-custody looks like now and where this head is, TheNewscrypto talks to Jean-François (JF) Rochet, EVP with Ledger. He shares how the company addresses real-world user concerns, what it takes to balance the security level of hardware with practical usability, and why self-custody may be less than a trend and more of a foundational shift.
TheNewScrypto (TNC): How did Ledger get on your radar and what have you been jumping?
JF Rochet (JFR): I have been in tech for a while, mostly focused on identifying opportunities and delivery of value to customers. Joining the Ledger has become extraordinary. This is a place where there is always a new challenge and the opportunity to build something meaningful. After years of tech, working ahead of the change is what drives me.
What stands on Ledger is the high -caliber of people here. The mission of making self-custody and security to access to a wide range of users is something I am proud of to be part of. Ultimately, it's not about individual duties but about what we deliver to the community and users. That is the most important, and it requires humility, which I appreciate.
TNC: How has the ledger changed in recent years that have you been with them?
Jfr: There is a clear trajectory set by our CEO, Pascal Gaithier. We are not tied to markets in the market or falling or trends. There is a plan to bring security and empower both businesses and customers.
For us, it's all about getting things step -steps to humble themselves to improve the availability and continuous scale. When there is speed in the market, we investigate and continue to develop and propose new things.
The new generation of devices is a significant shift in what we can offer. If you compare Ledger Live today-with the wide range of services, wider options, international relationships, and multi-language support-in what it was four years ago, it was a huge jump. But to us, this is a continuation. As a security company, delivering a good user experience is a lasting, successive mission.
TNC: What are the main use of the user's disease that is that -tackle, and which techniques have proven to be most effective?
Jfr: What matters at first is crypto ethos. At its core, crypto is a journey to decentralization and self -confidence. To truly embrace the crypto, you must own your coins, manage your finances, and control your fate. But it includes the question of security. You cannot be free, autonomous, or self-customial without proper security in the area.
That is what focuses on us throughout the ecosystem. The first layer is the development of security on the devices. A separate, developed device for signing transactions, creating addresses, and managing accounts is important. Computers and smartphones are not just equipment for it, as there are many risks.
Furthermore, usability is important. Can I access my owners with ease? Can I fully manage my purse through a device I trust? Ledger's strength now lies in incorporating non -compromise hardware security with a high -performance software environment.
We have built an ecosystem where users can access services from different players, all in one place. This is a major part of how Ledger continues to lead.
TNC: With the release of touchscreen wallets – stacks and flex – in 2024, what views did you get from the user's adoption and traction in the market?
Jfr: This is a great time and a change of time. People need to see what they are doing and signing what they see. That's why having a big, secure object on screen.
This is not just any screen – it activates a chip constructed specifically for security. It guarantees that what appears on the screen is exactly what you signed. It does not add value if it has the same weakness as a phone or computer.
But in this case, it changes. We call it a clear sign – information shown in a way that people can easily understand. It gives users full clarity and confidence in what they are approving.
That is a big part of why these devices have been so successful. They are safe and beautifully designed. Get stax, for example. It was created by Tony Fadell, the iPod godfather and a major player on the first iPhone projects. His DNA design is on top of it.
TNC: Security is always a most important focus for Ledger. What techniques did you take to stay ahead of it and how would you continue promoting that standard while forcing new innovations?
Jfr: There is no real trade-off between security and utility. If there is one thing that is compromised by security, it is not effective. This is a trip about value and money, understanding where you are going and what you do. Especially for self-cust customers, it's only worth it if you're not at risk of scams, sending properties to the wrong address, or hacking. It all starts with security.
Once security is established, the next challenge offers the best possible user experience. This is what Ledger Live aims to do today. This is a continuous effort because the industry is not yet fully mature. Not all projects, protocols, or services are as easy to use as it should be. You can track it back in early 2000, when the Internet has clunky user interfaces, and websites are not as friendly as it is today.
Crypto benefits from technology advances, so we use more sophisticated user experience technology than what exists 25 years ago. When security is in place, we can improve the user experience. Going the other way around puts users at risk. This is something we cannot compromise, as the rising hacks are clearly shown in 2024.
TNC: In the ETFs of Altcoin in the rise and a strong push for self-custody in the crypto space, do you see a conflict between the growing institutional products and the basic ethos of decentralization?
Jfr: If you look at how things have changed, there is a set of crypto investors, similar to how the automotic industry emerged in the early 20th century. Some people will invest in the industry but do not directly engage the technology itself, such as how tech investors do not have to use the Internet itself.
Now, you have people investing in crypto, believe in the future, but are not sure how to participate. On the other hand, some people have made decentralized finances (DEFI), self-custody, and all crypto innovation ideas offer a part of their daily lives. The question is: What is the balance between these two groups, and what is the role of the ecosystem in gaping the gap?
In Ledger, we focus on creating an environment where all new protocols and ideas can develop and use. We help to move a lot of people from simple crypto investment without knowing exactly how to use it to actively engage in it. Through this, we enable innovators and early adoption to rule the way to show how crypto can be useful. Our hardware and ledgers work together to create conditions for it.
TNC: With the increase in exchange hacks, more users are returning to self-custody. What major reasons should they prioritize when making that shift?
Jfr: Self-custody is the original promise of crypto and digital assets and the future of control control. In the past, people lost control of their personal data, and we should not let the same value happen. Self-custed allows individuals to maintain control.
Security plays an important role here. If self-custody is not safe enough, users need to trust other people, and that means to lose control. It should be safe to keep the users interested, and the technology behind it, specifically the hardware, plays a major role in it.
It is also important that self-custody is available and offers opportunities. That's why we focus on creating safe solutions for both individuals and business customers. For crypto-native companies, we provide the same safe infrastructure.
Our goal is to help both projects and users secure digital assets, which offers them safe access to services by hardware. A dedicated security model is important for digital assets, hardware supported, and it should enable users to explore the various solutions. Self-cust should not lock people in a provider.
TNC: We see a rising trend in joining AI into the blockchain. How did Ledger explore 'Crypto X AI', and what can we expect in 2025?
Jfr: This particular paradigm is taking a significant space on people's watch lists. As a company, we use AI in the way we work. We have a strong team dedicated to data, BI, and AI. They develop things that are very useful in helping us become more productive, faster in the market, more accurate, and better at delivering our customers.
When it comes to market trends, the most important of us is ready to support new things. However, we have no opinion on what will happen, what is the next trend, or what the next coin or token is. For us, it's really about making sure we can convey any users who decide is right for them.
Instead of thinking, we focus on being flexible to meet emerging needs. We monitor developments with interest but remain careful with our assessments.
Refusal: The information provided in this article in the interview is only for information purposes. It is not intended, nor should it be indicated as, investment advice, financial guidance, or a recommendation to make any specific decisions. Readers are encouraged to conduct their own research.
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