France has launched Europe's first blockchain accelerator, Chain Accelerator, with a view to supporting new international blockchain startups. It is based in Paris' Station F, the largest startup campus in the world. The move is expected to make Paris a major hub for blockchain development.
The move follows French finance minister Bruno Le Maire's warning recently that the country should not miss out on the blockchain revolution.
In an editorial for a French startup blog, Le Maire said a revolution is underway, of which Bitcoin was only the precursor. He expects blockchain to offer unprecedented opportunities for the country's startups.
The project will focus on companies that are trying to make the world a more secure, transparent and fair place using the Blockchain technology. It will assist startups with initial coin offerings or ICOs, business development plans, marketing and public relations.
The organization is a joint scheme involving thirty participants, including Gatecoin CEO Aurelien Menant, Hyperloop Transportation Technologies chairman Bibop Gresta, HSBC head of digital innovation Diana Biggs, and former SWIFT CEO Leonard Schrank.
Nicolas Cantu, co-founder of Chain Accelerator, said, "At a time when the President and the Government want to make Paris the capital of the ICOs, Chain Accelerator is positioning itself as a key player. By setting up a global and operational network in Paris, it brings together the best talent, extends the circle of contributors, and prepares for disruptions to help blockchain projects develop protocols in all sectors."
Le Maire reportedly appointed a commission to build an effective legal framework to encourage ICOs and attract cryptocurrency entrepreneurs.
For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com
May 22, 2026 14:46 ET Minutes of the latest Fed policy session was the highlight of the week along with survey data on the U.S. housing market. In Europe, survey data signaled the trends in the euro area private sector. Further, consumer price inflation data from the U.K. was in focus. In Asia, various economic indicators from China drew attention to the health of the economy.