EDF, through its subsidiary Exaion, launches a service for digital asset custody aimed at financial institutions, with a sovereign and ultra-secure infrastructure.
Exaion, already registered as a Digital Asset Service Provider (PSAN) with the French Financial Markets Authority (AMF), positions itself as a European alternative to foreign players such as Fireblocks and Coinbase.
Set to launch in 2025, this service focuses on cybersecurity, digital sovereignty, and decarbonized energy to attract major financial institutions.
A strategic turning point for Exaion and the EDF Group
The EDF Group, wholly owned by the French State, is taking a new step in its foray into the crypto ecosystem. Its subsidiary Exaion, specializing in blockchain infrastructure, has just announced the launch of a digital asset custody service aimed at financial institutions. This initiative, primarily targeting banks and investment funds, comes in the context of growing demand for secure and sovereign solutions.
Already registered as a Digital Asset Service Provider (PSAN) with the French Financial Markets Authority (AMF), Exaion discreetly obtained enhanced registration in December, allowing it to offer both digital asset exchange and custody services. Today, EDF’s subsidiary confirms its ambitions with an ultra-secure digital safe, as stated by its CEO, Fatih Balyeli, in an interview with The Big Whale.
The idea is to support major financial players in their crypto activities by offering sovereign and secure infrastructure.
Fatih Balyeli, CEO of Exaion
A service designed for major financial institutions
The Exaion digital asset custody service will be available in the second half of 2025, with additional features such as staking and exchange solutions between cryptocurrency and traditional currencies. This announcement comes as the financial sector increasingly opens up to cryptocurrencies. The approval of Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs in the United States has prompted a massive influx of institutional players, such as BlackRock, who are preparing a similar launch in Europe.
In this context, the custody of digital assets becomes a central issue for banks and investment funds. Exaion targets these major players, who cannot afford to rely on unregulated service providers.
We are addressing major institutions that cannot afford to work with unregulated startups.
Giants like BlackRock or JP Morgan could therefore be among the future clients of EDF’s subsidiary.
A strategic asset for European digital sovereignty
In a market largely dominated by foreign players such as Fireblocks (Israeli-American custodian technology) and Coinbase (American digital asset custodian), Exaion emphasizes the argument of European sovereignty. Its infrastructure is based on an internally developed Hardware Security Module (HSM), guaranteeing full control over asset security.
This approach particularly appeals to French and European institutions, subject to strict regulations and often reluctant to entrust their assets to foreign solutions. The affiliation of Exaion with the EDF Group further strengthens this attractiveness, offering investors a guarantee of reliability and compliance with European standards.
Security, green energy, and strategic positioning
Exaion does not settle for a robust regulatory framework alone. The subsidiary aims for the highest standards of cybersecurity, with certifications such as ISO 27001 and SOC 2. Its connection with EDF also gives it a unique advantage: access to decarbonized energy and critical infrastructure. This ability to provide clean and stable electricity is a major asset for future data centers and digital services.
Exaion is no stranger to the crypto world. The subsidiary already operates blockchain nodes on Ethereum and other major protocols, although it still refuses to mine Bitcoin for environmental reasons. This decision sparks debates but also illustrates Exaion’s commitment to a more sustainable approach to digitization.
Towards the consolidation of the crypto offering in France?
With this custody service, EDF and Exaion aim to position France at the heart of global digital transformation. This strategic positioning, combined with sovereign infrastructure and expertise in cybersecurity, could attract many institutional players looking for an alternative to American solutions.
The planned launch in 2025 will be a decisive test for France’s ability to establish itself as a major player in digital finance. Exaion could become an essential pillar for financial institutions looking to secure their digital assets while complying with European regulatory requirements.
