Fatih Balyeli: "A group like EDF has a role to play in Web3".

The Big Whale: How can we introduce Exaion and its business?

Fatih Balyeli: We are a Web3 service and infrastructure provider. When I talk about Web3, I'm referring to blockchain, metavers and edge computing (an optimisation method used in the cloud, editor's note). We don't do applications, we do infrastructure. We are the technological layer that we make available to those who develop protocols or applications. I like to present us as the Amazon Web Services (AWS) of Web3.

Speaking of a giant like Amazon, Exaion is not an autonomous entity. You are a 100% subsidiary of EDF. What mission do you have within the group?

We have several missions that fall into two main areas. Firstly, we want to help reduce the carbon footprint of the crypto industry: our data centres are located in the north of France and their energy mix comes from nuclear and wind power.

With regard to the computing power we use, this is supplied by 100% renewable hydraulic energy in Canada. We use decarbonised energy. It's important to bear this point in mind because it's what differentiates us from our competitors (Infura, Blockdaemon, editor's note) who operate in the United States or China.

The other main thrust of our action is to support EDF's digitisation and help it position itself in new technologies. It's worth pointing out that EDF was the first European giant to create its Web3 subsidiary.

Is Exaion just a simple adventure or is it a strategic element for EDF and France as a whole?