Owen Simonin—better known as “Hasheur”—is a driving force behind France’s blockchain revolution. As the creator of the country’s most-watched cryptocurrency YouTube channel and the founder of multi-million-euro blockchain enterprises, he has played a pivotal role in shaping the industry while championing education and accessibility.
But long before he became a key figure in digital finance, Simonin was just a teenager running a Minecraft server. At 14, he built MVWild, a virtual world that attracted over 120,000 players. Managing moderators, designing in-game economies, and fostering an online community, he unknowingly laid the foundation for his future as one of the most influential voices in cryptocurrency and blockchain entrepreneurship.
A YouTube Powerhouse for Crypto Education
In 2016, Simonin identified a major gap in the French-speaking world: a lack of accessible content on blockchain and cryptocurrency. That year, he launched his YouTube channel “Hasheur,” a name inspired by the cryptographic hash function. He spent up to 15 hours a day studying Bitcoin, blockchain technology, and decentralized finance, producing videos that simplified complex financial systems for a general audience.
His timing was impeccable. As Bitcoin’s price surged from €900 in early 2017 to over €14,000 by year’s end, Simonin’s audience grew exponentially. By early 2025, “Hasheur” had amassed over 747,000 subscribers and 39 million views, making it the most influential crypto-focused YouTube channel in the French-speaking world. His efforts were recognized in 2020 when Binance awarded him the European Influencer of the Year title.
Beyond YouTube, Simonin expanded his influence into mainstream media, hosting “Les Pros de Crypto” on BFM Business since 2021 and delivering keynote speeches at high-profile events like TEDx Rive de Moselle. His deep industry insights and educational approach have made him a key voice in European blockchain discourse.
Building a Blockchain Empire
Simonin’s success on YouTube did not remain confined to content creation. In 2017, at just 20 years old, he co-founded Just Mining alongside his brother, William. What began as a company offering plug-and-play mining rigs soon expanded into a broader blockchain investment platform. Within its first seven months, Just Mining generated €700,000 in revenue, proving Simonin’s ability to turn online influence into real-world business success.
As the industry shifted away from proof-of-work mining, Simonin pivoted the company toward proof-of-stake solutions, staking services, and masternodes. In December 2022, Just Mining rebranded as Meria, signaling its evolution into a full-scale digital asset management firm. By 2021, Meria and its sister company Deskoin—a cryptocurrency exchange Simonin co-founded in 2018—managed up to €500 million in digital assets. In 2024, Meria reported €7 million in revenue and an estimated valuation of €30 million.
In addition to Meria, Simonin expanded his entrepreneurial portfolio. In 2019, he launched Hash Consulting, advising major brands like Lacoste and Renault on their transition into Web3. He also played key roles in Waltio (crypto taxation), Ngrave (hardware wallets), and Ternoa (blockchain infrastructure). Unlike many crypto entrepreneurs who operate in regulatory gray areas, Simonin’s firms are fully registered with France’s Autorité des Marchés Financiers (AMF), emphasizing compliance in a rapidly evolving industry.
A Reluctant Regulator and Industry Advocate
Despite his success, Simonin has been vocal about the challenges of building a blockchain business in France. In 2023, he criticized proposed influencer regulations, arguing that they stifled crypto education. At the same time, he acknowledged France’s regulatory clarity as a competitive advantage, particularly compared to the United States, where increasing crackdowns on cryptocurrency firms have driven businesses offshore.
“The U.S. is killing crypto,” Simonin told Decrypt in mid-2023. “That opens the door for Europe and Asia to capture a lot of volume.” His prediction appears to be playing out as more blockchain enterprises look toward France, attracted by its structured regulatory framework.
His influence extends beyond Europe. In discussions with French lawmakers and the European Union, Simonin has pushed for balanced regulations that encourage innovation while protecting investors. His decision to keep his businesses headquartered in France—despite the financial incentives of relocating to tax havens—underscores his commitment to shaping the country’s role as a blockchain hub.
A Digital Pioneer’s Growing Fortune
Simonin’s business acumen has translated into a personal fortune estimated at €20 million as of 2024. This wealth is divided between €5 million in cash reserves and €15 million in assets, primarily his 50% stake in Meria. At 27, he has built one of the most influential blockchain enterprises in France while maintaining a commitment to financial transparency and compliance.
His career is marked by a rare combination of technical expertise, media influence, and entrepreneurial prowess. From helping expose the BitConnect Ponzi scheme in 2017 to publicly correcting French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire’s misconceptions about cryptocurrency, Simonin has positioned himself as both an educator and industry watchdog.
Looking ahead, Simonin has hinted at new ventures in artificial intelligence and blockchain integration, working alongside his brother’s AI firm, Vivoka. “There are narratives where, at a certain point, you have to fire up,” he told Decrypt, signaling his intent to remain at the cutting edge of digital finance.
From a teenage gamer managing an online community to a self-made millionaire shaping France’s blockchain industry, Owen Simonin has redefined what it means to be a crypto entrepreneur. Through YouTube, he demystified blockchain for a generation. Through Meria, he built one of Europe’s leading crypto investment firms. And through advocacy, he has helped shape the legal frameworks that define the industry’s future.
While the regulatory space remains in flux, one thing is clear: Simonin is not done innovating. As AI and blockchain converge, his next chapter could be even more disruptive than the last.
