Ledger Co-Founder David Balland Rescued by GIGN After €10 Million Bitcoin Ransom Demand

Jan 23, 2025, 12:28 PM

David Balland, co-founder of the French cryptocurrency hardware wallet company Ledger, was kidnapped from his home in Vierzon, France, on January 22, 2025. The kidnappers demanded a ransom of €10 million in Bitcoin and reportedly sent one of his fingers to press their demands. French police, including the elite GIGN unit, conducted an operation that resulted in his release on January 23. His wife was also kidnapped and has since been freed. Authorities have arrested eight individuals in connection with the incident. The Paris prosecutor's office is investigating the case, which has raised concerns about the security risks faced by prominent figures in the cryptocurrency industry.