Current Role and Company Overview
Takatoshi Shibayama serves as the Head of APAC for Ledger, a position he assumed in January 2025. Ledger, founded in 2014, is a global leader in digital asset security and Web3 infrastructure, with over 15% of the world's crypto assets secured through Ledger's hardware wallets (Ledger Nanos). The company offers enterprise-grade solutions, including Ledger Enterprise, a platform designed to help businesses and financial institutions securely store, manage, and transfer digital assets such as Bitcoin.
Professional Background and Experience
Prior to joining Ledger, Takatoshi held senior leadership roles at Copper.co, a crypto prime brokerage and custodial service, where he was the Head of Sales / Revenue for APAC. His experience spans institutional crypto services, custody solutions, and prime brokerage enablement for institutional clients, emphasizing secure access to digital assets within the evolving regulatory landscape.
Takatoshi has an extensive background exceeding 17 years in traditional finance, having worked for J.P. Morgan and Goldman Sachs, which underpins his expertise in bridging traditional finance (TradFi) with crypto and digital asset ecosystems.
Geographic Location and Network
Takatoshi is based in Singapore, a prominent financial hub for APAC digital asset markets. He maintains a strong professional network with 500+ LinkedIn connections and over 7,000 followers, indicative of his influence within the Web3 and crypto community.
Leadership and Industry Presence
In his capacity at Ledger, Takatoshi functions as a regional general manager and managing director for APAC, leading the company’s expansion and engagement across Asia-Pacific markets. His leadership focus includes driving institutional adoption, regulatory navigation, and ecosystem partnerships.
He is also an active host of "Blockcast," a podcast series centering on cryptocurrency, blockchain innovation, stablecoin infrastructure, and regulatory developments. Notable guests include executives from Ripple, Reap, Talos, and other key players in the digital asset ecosystem. This role reflects his position as an industry thought leader and evangelist for secure digital asset ownership and institutional integration.
Key Activities and Public Engagements
- Regularly hosts and moderates Blockcast episodes, facilitating discussions on:
- Stablecoin innovation (e.g., with Reap’s co-founder Daren Guo)
- Institutional crypto adoption (interviewing APAC leaders such as Samar Sen from Talos)
- Regulatory and technology developments affecting digital assets
- Speaker at industry events related to blockchain, stablecoins, and institutional crypto services held across the Asia-Pacific region, including panels such as the Yield Summit Japan 2025 focusing on the future of stablecoins.
- Advocates for a user-first approach to sustainable blockchain business growth and highlights the role of Ledger Enterprise in enabling institutional clients to innovate with secure, enterprise-grade digital asset custody and management.
Language Proficiency
- English: Native or bilingual proficiency
- Japanese: Native or bilingual proficiency
- Spanish: Limited working proficiency
Relevant Insights for Strategic Engagement
Takatoshi’s transition from Copper.co to Ledger in early 2025 signals a strategic hire by Ledger to bolster its presence in the APAC region, particularly targeting institutional clients and enterprises seeking secure digital asset custody solutions. His deep expertise in prime brokerage and custodial services, combined with his traditional finance background, equips him to address the complex requirements of institutional investors, regulators, and blockchain innovators.
His leadership in content creation and community engagement via Blockcast demonstrates a commitment to education, thought leadership, and transparency within the digital asset sector — key factors influencing trust and adoption in APAC markets.
Ledger’s positioning as a custodial platform securing a significant portion of global crypto assets makes Takatoshi pivotal in shaping partnerships and expanding market share in Asia-Pacific’s rapidly growing digital asset landscape. His professional network and consistent public presence also position him as a significant influencer for enterprise and institutional adoption strategies.
In summary, Takatoshi Shibayama is a highly experienced and connected executive leading Ledger's APAC operations with a focus on secure digital asset management, institutional client solutions, and sector education through active media engagement. His background offers critical insight into Ledger’s strategic direction in the Asia-Pacific region and the broader institutional digital asset market.
