Ledger Eyes New York IPO as Hardware Wallet Demand Surges

French cryptocurrency hardware wallet manufacturer Ledger is reportedly exploring an IPO in New York or a fundraising round.

While demand for self-custody solutions is climbing amid rising digital asset theft, the move signals growing confidence in the sector’s monetization potential.

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Market Timing Reflects Crypto Cycle Dynamics

Ledger’s IPO exploration comes as the hardware wallet sector experiences renewed momentum. Security concerns and regulatory shifts are driving this growth. Industry data shows $2.17 billion in cryptocurrency stolen during the first half of 2025, surpassing the total for 2024.

The timing also aligns with the broader crypto market recovery. It comes amid anticipated regulatory clarity under the current US administration. Unlike Coinbase’s April 2021 debut near a market peak, Ledger appears positioned differently. The company can capitalize on sustained institutional adoption rather than retail speculation.

Hardware wallet penetration among cryptocurrency holders remains below 15%. This suggests significant addressable market expansion as digital asset ownership normalizes.

Revenue Model Sustainability Under Scrutiny

Hardware sales generate initial revenue for the company. However, investors will likely focus on Ledger’s recurring income streams and unit economics. The company manages approximately $100 billion in bitcoin across its customer base.

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Yet monetizing this relationship beyond one-time device purchases presents challenges. Recent moves to introduce transaction-based fees indicate efforts to build subscription-like revenue. These include a controversial multisig application charging $10 plus 0.05% per transaction. Such initiatives have faced community resistance due to concerns about centralization.

Comparable publicly traded crypto infrastructure companies trade at 5-8x revenue multiples. Hardware-centric models typically command lower valuations than software platforms. This stems from inventory risk and margin compression.

Ledger’s ability to demonstrate customer lifetime value will be crucial. Software upgrades, premium features, or enterprise custody services could help. These factors will likely determine investor appetite and valuation ranges for any potential Ledger IPO in New York.

New York Venue Signals Capital Access Strategy

The preference for a New York IPO over European exchanges reflects a pragmatic assessment, despite Ledger’s Paris headquarters being geographically close. It considers liquidity and the composition of the investor base. US markets currently host the majority of crypto-focused institutional capital. Bitcoin ETFs alone recorded $25.9 billion in year-to-date inflows through October 2025.

This demonstrates sustained institutional appetite, whereas European bourses lack comparable depth in crypto-specialized investors. They also suffer from fragmented liquidity across national exchanges.

A US listing provides natural currency alignment for the business. The company generates substantial dollar-denominated revenue. It also positions Ledger alongside American crypto infrastructure peers. However, the company must navigate SEC disclosure requirements. Ongoing regulatory evolution regarding digital asset classifications adds further complexity. These factors have deterred some European fintech firms from entering the US markets.