the French fintech accelerates on on-chain banking in Europe

The French fintech Deblock has announced the closing of a €30 million Series A funding round, led by venture capital funds Speedinvest, CommerzVentures, and Latitude. This significant milestone marks a turning point for the European digital banking sector, thanks to a solution that fully integrates the management of euros and crypto assets into a single account, with an innovative approach to self-custody and operational transparency.

Founded by a team of former executives from Ledger and Revolut – Aaron Beck, Adriana Restrepo, Jean Meyer, and Mario Eguiluz – Deblock positions itself as the first fully on-chain European banking platform, offering its users the ability to manage both traditional currencies and cryptocurrencies in a secure, simple, and regulatory-compliant manner.

The First Fully On-Chain Banking Solution in Europe

Deblock has developed a platform that combines the security of a traditional bank account with the flexibility of a non-custodial crypto wallet, protected by Multi-Party Computation (MPC) technology. Users can thus hold, spend, and invest in both euros and digital assets, without having to choose between the traditional banking world and the decentralized one.

This integration allows you to:

– Make daily payments (such as rent or purchases) directly from your account, using both euros and cryptocurrencies.

– Access over 100 cryptocurrencies for unlimited trading.

– Utilize DeFi services and savings tools like Vaults, while maintaining full control of your funds.

– Make cross-border payments in a simple and transparent way.

Unlike custodial platforms, Deblock ensures users full ownership and management of their private keys, offering a superior level of security and autonomy.

Rapid Growth and Cutting-edge Regulation

Launched in France in April 2024, Deblock has already attracted over 300,000 users in less than a year, indicating the growing demand for banking solutions that combine usability and direct control of digital assets.

On the regulatory front, Deblock stands out for having been:

– Authorized as an Electronic Money Institution (EMI) by the Banque de France/ACPR.

– First French fintech to obtain the MiCA license (Markets in Crypto-Assets) from the Autorité des Marchés Financiers (AMF).

These recognitions ensure full compliance with European standards and position Deblock at the forefront of the regulated fintech landscape.

Expansion into Germany: the Next Strategic Step

The new funding will be primarily allocated to expansion in Germany, the largest market in the European Union by population and economy. Deblock will strengthen its local team, invest in product localization and German-language customer support, aiming to replicate the success achieved in France.

The choice of Germany is not coincidental: the country boasts a high adoption of digital financial services and a stable regulatory framework, ideal elements for launching a platform that aims to redefine the concept of on-chain banking at a continental level.

Jean Meyer, CEO and co-founder of Deblock, emphasizes:  

Support from Leading Fintech Investors

The funding round saw the participation of leading investors in the European tech and financial sector. Speedinvest, which boasts over one billion euros in assets under management and a widespread presence across Berlin, London, Munich, Paris, and Vienna, led the operation, accompanied by CommerzVentures and Latitude.

Tom Filip Lesche, partner at Speedinvest, highlights:  

Paul Morgenthaler, Managing Partner at CommerzVentures, adds:  

Julian Rowe, partner at Latitude, concludes:  

A Team with International Experience

The success of Deblock is built on the expertise of its founders, who have gained key experiences at companies like Revolut and Ledger. Their vision is to bring the simplicity of modern banking into the Web3 era, offering a current account that integrates a true crypto wallet, without compromising on security and transparency.

Deblock and the Future of Digital Banking

With its launch in Germany and the backing of prominent investors, Deblock positions itself as a key player for those seeking integrated and secure management of euros and digital assets. The platform, already regulated as an EMI and equipped with a MiCA license, represents an on-chain banking model that could redefine the financial habits of millions of Europeans.