Investing in Ledger Stock | How to Buy Pre-IPO Shares (2025)

Ledger is a leading digital hardware wallet manufacturer and security solutions provider for the blockchain sector. The company specializes in easy-to-use and affordable cold storage hardware wallet solutions that enable anyone to protect their digital assets from online and offline threats. Its proven track record and long-standing in the market continue to drive demand for Ledger pre-IPO shares.

Ledger has a reputation for incorporating high-security standards into its devices, including proprietary software and encryption methods. As such, Ledger devices enable you to store your private keys offline in cold storage, which eliminates online threats via an air gap.

Impressively, Ledger has sold +6M devices globally. Millions of users, including businesses and governments, rely on their wallets to secure their assets. As such, the public would love to see a Ledger IPO in the coming months. However, no information has been released regarding the company's plans on the matter. Thankfully, you can still get some pre-IPO shares of Ledger using these proven methods.

What is Ledger?

Ledger entered the market in 2014 as an affordable cold storage hardware wallet provider. The Paris-based firm was founded by Joel Pobeda, Eric Larcheveque, Thomas France, Nicolas Bacca, and Vanessa Fara Fara Rabesandratana to simplify the self-custody of blockchain assets like Bitcoin and Ethereum. Today, it’s the top-performing hardware wallet provider globally.

Hardware Wallets

Ledger offers a suite of devices to meet clients' needs. The selection includes notable devices like the Nano, Nano X, Nano S, Blue, and OTG Kit. Every Ledger device integrates enterprise-level encryption and authentication methods, including Secure Element chips like those found in US passports and other high-security use case scenarios.

Source – Ledger

Users can select devices that offer various advanced features to meet their needs, including the ability to store and manage NFTs directly from on-screen interfaces. Ledger offers both touchscreen and Bluetooth-enabled devices that enhance the user experience and streamline sending, receiving, and managing cryptocurrencies and tokens as well.

Ledger OS

At the core of Ledger's success is its proprietary operating system. The Ledger OS provides an easy-to-navigate and straightforward way to manage digital assets safely. The OS includes security and backup features in case your device is lost or stolen. Additionally, you can integrate APIs to trade using your favorite exchanges directly from your Ledger devices. The LEdger OS is the foundation for the Ledger Live Dapp.

Ledger Live App

The Ledger Live App is how most users operate their devices. This handy dapp enables Ledger to integrate into top-performing DeFi applications and more. You can also trade assets using the dapp, which supports +5000 tokens, including NFTs.

Ledger Live does more than assist in storing your assets. You can also use it to research and monitor crypto market activity. See vital info on assets, including market cap, movements, volume, supply, and important news, directly from your Ledger device.

Ledger Enterprise

In 2023, Ledger Enterprise entered the market. This business-centric product was designed to bring enterprise-level clientele into the crypto market in a streamlined and secure manner. The protocol has features that allow firms to offer custody services to their clientele, leveraging Ledger's proven security. You can also integrate community governance and other options to engage clients.

Historical Funding Rounds

Summary of Ledger Funding:

• Total Funding: Ledger secured $575M across 6 funding rounds
• Largest Round: Ledger's largest funding round secured $380M  on June 10, 2021
• Investors: A total of 65 institutional investors and 3 Angle investors back Ledger
• Latest Round: The latest funding round was a Series C round held on March 08, 2023, that secured $109M

Funding Rounds Breakdown:

• 65 institutional investors
• 3 angel

Key Investors:

Ledger has support from a variety of key investors including Samsung, 10T, Digital Currency Group, TGV, DFG, VaynerFund, 10T, Cite Gestion, Caphorn, Morgan Creek Capital Management, Cathay Innovation, Korelya Capital, Molten Ventures, Draper Dragon and more.

Funding Data is Sourced from Tracxn

Why Invest in Ledger?

There's a long list of reasons why one may want to invest in pre-IPO shares of Ledger. For one, the company has a strong position in the market, It has dominated the hardware wallet sector since it first launched and still ranks 1st among 374 active competitors according to Traxn.

Additionally, demand for self-custody hardware wallets is rising alongside the entire blockchain sector. Recent events, including the re-election of crypto-friendly Donald J. Trump, have also increased demand for the manufacturer's products.

Innovation

Ledger continues to push the boundaries of blockchain storage technology via innovative approaches and features. The company's latest line of hardware wallets expands usability via Bluetooth options and more. These features allow users to access their digital assets faster and more conveniently. Ledger's commitment to innovation and pioneering spirit are vital reasons why the demand for pre-IPO shares is so high.

Enterprise and Banking

Ledger's recent pivot towards the enterprise and banking sector is another reason to consider. As more businesses and governments seek to integrate crypto reserves and business strategies, Ledger offers top-quality solutions with a proven track record. Additionally, its customizable infrastructure enables Ledger to meet the needs of a broad range of enterprise clientele.

How to Buy Ledger Pre-IPO Shares

Ledger may have called off its first IPO, but hopes are high that the company will return to this strategy in the coming months. As such, Ledger remains a privately held company, meaning that you will need to utilize a specialized approach to get access to shares. Here is what you need to consider.

1. Pre-IPO Secondary Marketplace

Investors sometimes gain exposure to private companies through secondary marketplaces, which connect accredited investors with early shareholders—such as employees, venture firms, or insiders—looking to sell shares before a company’s IPO.

Pre-IPO investments offer the chance to invest during a company's high-growth phase, often at lower valuations than in the public markets. However, these opportunities come with important considerations:

• Eligibility: Secondary markets typically require you to be an accredited investor, meaning you must meet certain income or net worth thresholds.

• Liquidity Risk: Private shares are usually illiquid until the company goes public or is acquired, meaning you may need to hold them for several years—or potentially indefinitely.

If you meet the requirements and are comfortable with the risks, several platforms offer access to pre-IPO opportunities:

• Forge Global: One of the largest private stock marketplaces, offering shares in late-stage startups like SpaceX, Stripe, and Databricks. Minimums typically start around $100,000.

• EquityZen: A popular platform allowing accredited investors to buy into private companies with minimums as low as $5,000. Past offerings include companies like Discord and UiPath.

• Rainmaker Securities: A full-service broker that helps source and negotiate private share sales, including opportunities in companies like OpenAI, Stripe, and Palantir.

• Hiive: A newer platform with live bid/ask pricing for hundreds of private companies. Transparent and low-fee, with minimums starting around $25,000.

• MicroVentures: Offers pooled access to late-stage companies through special purpose vehicles (SPVs), including past investments in SpaceX and Instacart.

• EquityBee: Allows investors to fund employee stock option exercises at startups, often at discounted valuations, with minimums around $10,000.

• Augment: A digital-first marketplace showing real-time pricing for pre-IPO shares, targeting tech-savvy investors and offering lower transaction fees.

• StartEngine Private: Launched in late 2023, this platform offers accredited investors access to Regulation D offerings in later-stage, venture-backed companies. In its first nine months, it generated $16.5 million in revenue, with average investments around $32,000

Important: Always perform thorough due diligence and consult a financial advisor before investing in private company shares.

2. Private Equity Firms

Private equity firms gain access to pre-IPO shares during investment rounds. They then offer these shares to high-net-worth accredited investors with a commission. Notably, private equity firms are known to have extra stipulations, including blocking the sale of shares for years in some cases.

3. Employee Equity Sales

Many consider employee equity sales as the best way to acquire pre-IPO shares in Ledger. This method of acquiring pre-IPO shares requires you to connect with former employees. It's common for companies to issue shares as part of an incentive package. Notably, this profit-sharing method has become more popular, leading to more pre-IPO share opportunities for investors.

Private Transactions: there are a lot of hoops you will need to jump through to complete a private pre-IPO transaction, including creating specific legal agreements, conducting valuations, and setting in place any limitations on the transfer of the asset.

Brokerage: Brokers will take a lot of the confusion out of the pre-IPO process. These professionals can guide you through each step, ensuring full compliance and avoiding common errors untrained professionals make.

There are several risks that you should consider before jumping into the pre-IPO shares investment arena. Here are the top concerns:

Liquidity Risk

If you are looking for an asset that you can sell right away, pre-IPO shares are not the best option. These investments can include sales and transfer clauses that prevent the transfer of the asset until certain criteria, such as the IPO's completion. It's even common for pre-IPO shares to require you to wait years before gaining the ability to sell your assets.

Regulatory Risk

The blockchain market has seen considerable scrutiny from regulators and lawmakers. While the technology is far better understood than in its early days, there are still many lawmakers who see it as a threat to the traditional financial system. As such, you need to always consider how new regulations could affect the value of your pre-IPO shares.

Market Risk

Purchasing pre-IPO shares in Ledger means that you stand behind the project and its team.  The company has secured a reputation for excellence and has previously expressed a desire to go public. However, no concrete data has been provided yet. As such, it's vital to understand that the blockchain market is an active space that experiences strong fluctuations that could result in a different share value between now and any future IPO launch.

Valuation of Ledger and Future IPO

Ledger was valued at $1.3B per its latest filings, qualifying the firm as a unicorn. The company secured this valuation through a strong commitment to its users and a simple and effective business model. These factors have led Ledger to be the top-performing crypto hardware wallet manufacturer for years.

Ledger is positioned to remain the market leader for the foreseeable future. The company has new partnerships and acquisitions that have further cemented its market stance and allowed it to offer products and services to the growing crypto-friendly banking and investment sectors. These factors, plus its innovative nature and commitment to security, make Ledger a strong “Add” to your portfolio.

The prospect of a Ledger IPO has many investors eagerly waiting. The company has built a loyal customer and investor base that includes some of the most notable names in tech and finance. These factors are also driving demand for pre-IPO shares. Consequently, if Ledger announces plans to go public in the coming months, demand for pre-IPO shares could skyrocket to new levels.

Conclusion

Those holding pre-IPO shares for Ledger should be aware that they have an exciting opportunity. You rarely have such a dominant player in the FinTech sector for this long. However, Ledger appears to have what it takes to accomplish this task. Plus, its recent pivot towards the traditional financial sector has opened the door for more ROI opportunities.

Those considering investing in pre-IPO shares of Ledger should always do their research. Some factors enhance both the risk and reward aspects of this type of investment. As such, it's recommended that you consult a financial advisor before making any investment or ensure that you remain within your risk appetite. If you complete these steps and discover that pre-IPO shares of Ledger fall into your strategy, there's lots of upside potential.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or investment advice. Pre-IPO shares are typically available only to accredited investors and carry significant risk. Always perform thorough due diligence and consult a financial advisor or legal expert before making investment decisions.