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What does it mean to own something in the digital age? As our assets, identities, and interactions increasingly migrate to the web, the answer to that question is shifting, and companies like Ledger are determined to make sure it doesn’t get lost inм the noise.
When Techopedia sat down with Ian Rogers, Chief Experience Officer at Ledger, the conversation covered much more than crypto wallets. It was about the foundations of digital ownership, the risks of third-party control, and why we’re standing at a turning point in the evolution of the internet.
Key Takeaways
- Digital ownership only works if you control access to your assets.
- Private keys are the dividing line between access and vulnerability.
- Security should be the starting point, not an afterthought.
- Confidence in self-custody grows with education and experience.
- Trusting third parties with your assets comes with hidden risks.
From Winamp to Web3: A Technologist’s Journey
Ian’s path to Ledger is a story in itself. Before joining the Paris-based security firm, he helped shape the digital music movement at Winamp, Beats Music, and Apple Music. He also served as Chief Digital Officer at LVMH. That blend of tech, culture, and commerce now fuels his mission to help people secure their digital lives.
“We’re a 10-year-old company that has the best security experts and cryptographers in the world who are uncompromising on security,” he said. “So what you get with Ledger is the best of both of those worlds.”
- Ledger has sold more than 6 million hardware wallets.
- Their products now protect around 20% of the world’s crypto assets.
That’s not just market share. It’s a clear signal that the concept of digital self-custody is gaining traction.
Ian Rogers said:
“Giving people the ability to own their digital private property securely is fundamentally what we’re all about.”
As Ian put it, “This is not just digital money. It’s digitization of all value.” That includes identity documents, legal titles, and even creative work. If these things exist in digital form, then they can be stolen, altered, or lost unless they’re protected.
Rogers explained:
“You can’t live in this kind of agentic AI future that we’re all imagining without having blockchains and digital ownership and secure digital private property. Blockchains deliver digital scarcity. They also deliver proof.”
Ledger’s role is to provide the infrastructure for that ownership, not by reinventing how digital assets work but by helping people hold on to what’s theirs without relying on third parties.
With the Bitcoin price recently hitting an all-time high above $111,000, it should come as no surprise that crypto adoption is increasing and entering the mainstream. But how do we protect new users entering the world of crypto?
Why Cold Storage Still Matters
Ledger devices, such as the Ledger Nano X, Ledger Stax, and Ledger Flex, are commonly referred to as hardware wallets. However, Ian was quick to point out that the name is somewhat misleading. He said:
“What lives inside the wallet is the proof that you are the owner of that value. And if someone else has that proof, then they have your value.”
Unlike software wallets or exchanges that hold your private keys on your behalf, Ledger stores them in secure chips. These are the same kinds of chips used in passports and bank cards. But instead of protecting the state or a corporation, they’re protecting you.
Rogers said:
“The smart card in your credit card protects the secrets of the bank. The one that’s in your passport protects the secrets of the government. The one that’s in your Ledger protects your secrets.”
Security by Design, Not by Convenience
Storing private keys securely is only part of the puzzle. What makes Ledger different is that it also ensures that keys never leave the device, transactions are verified on a secure screen, and the device itself cannot be tampered with.
“Ledger is the only piece of hardware that checks all of those boxes in terms of security,” Ian said. “We’ve been uncompromising when it comes to that.”
That stance has made Ledger a trusted name, especially when events like the FTX collapse or Bybit hacks remind people of the risks of custodial solutions.
Ian revealed that Ledger’s enterprise product could have prevented the 1.4 billion dollar Bybit hack attributed to North Korean actors.
Blind signing should be a thing of the past, and we’ve been leading the charge to make that a reality. In the specific case of the Bybit blind signing hack, the third-party software Bybit was using didn’t support Clear Signing.
This left users in a position where they had to…
— Ledger (@Ledger) February 24, 2025
Education Before Adoption
Despite the complexity, most Ledger users don’t start as experts. Ian explained that education is the primary driver of adoption.
“They usually start on exchange,” he said. “Then they get a little more value, they get a little more educated, they become more interested in self-custody and security, and they get a Ledger.”
Ledger Academy and the company’s growing library of explainer videos help bridge that gap.
“Educated people become Ledger customers,” Ian added. However, he also acknowledged that the industry still faces challenges.
Too many people only discover the importance of self-custody after something goes wrong. “Our goal is to get people in long before that,” Rogers said.
Anyone who stores their crypto on an exchange has likely been on the receiving end of that familiar phrase: “Not your keys, not your coins.” It’s often thrown out by tech-savvy voices who assume the solution is simple, but for many, moving assets off an exchange and into secure self-custody feels anything but straightforward.
The process can be intimidating if you’re unsure where to start or worried about making a costly mistake. That’s where Ledger is stepping up, not just as a hardware provider but as an educator.
Through clear, accessible resources, including its guide on how to send crypto from an exchange to Ledger Wallet, the company is helping users build the confidence and know-how to take ownership of their digital assets.
Ledger for Institutions
While Ledger began with individual investors, its ambitions have grown. Ledger Enterprise offers tailored solutions for institutions, complete with flexible governance models and custody solutions that safeguard assets without compromising control.
“No sane business would operate with a single person responsible for the treasury,” Ian said. “Ledger Enterprise adds this governance layer that is infinitely configurable for the organization.”
With large players like BlackRock entering the crypto space and ETFs simplifying access, institutions are finally catching up. Ledger is making sure they do so securely.
Large institutions shouldn’t rely on retail tools to secure digital assets – risking governance, control & scalability.
Ledger Enterprise provides 100% self-custody + enterprise-grade security to grow securely.
🎙️Learn more on : https://t.co/lPih9ApXyN pic.twitter.com/cW9rKysGYO
— Ledger Enterprise (@ledger_business) January 28, 2025
Tools for a New Digital Life
Ledger is expanding its ecosystem fast. Products like Ledger Live allow users to buy, swap, stake, and spend assets directly. Services include tax support, NFT tools, and even a credit card processing option.
“We just continue to introduce products and services literally week after week after week,” Rogers said. “We’re adding things like support for a new service or support for a new blockchain.”
Then there’s the educational side. Ledger Academy’s Quest platform turns learning into a game, while YouTube videos, such as “The Road to Ledger Stacks,” share the stories behind the technology.
“Even if you don’t care anything about crypto, I promise you’ll love the story,” Ian said. “It’s one of the greatest adventures I’ve ever been on.”
It’s time – Ledger Stax, our latest device featuring the world’s first secure touchscreen, starts shipping today!
Why did it take so long for us to ship Ledger Stax? In this podumentary, we pull back the curtains and explore the story of this first-of-its-kind product.
The… pic.twitter.com/quNfMCA78I
— Ledger (@Ledger) May 28, 2024
The Bottom Line
Ledger’s roadmap includes more hardware, more integrations, and more services to meet the needs of both everyday users and institutions. But its mission remains the same. Protect digital value wherever it exists.
“We believe that we will have digital value in our digital lives increasingly. And if that’s the case, then security is important,” Ian said. “And we offer that security.”
If you’re exploring crypto, NFTs, or just trying to protect your online identity, Ledger’s message is clear. Do not wait until something goes wrong to take security seriously. So, what do you truly own online? And who holds the keys? It’s time to ask yourself what digital ownership means to you.
FAQs
What makes Ledger different from other crypto wallets?
Why is self-custody important in crypto?
How is Ledger preparing for the future of AI and digital value?
References
- Ledger, Crypto and the Battle for Digital Sovereignty (Podcasts Apple)
- Learn About Crypto, Blockchain, NFTs and more (Ledger Academy)
