Kidnapping of David Balland, Ledger Co-founder: Freed Along with His Wife After Police Operation

David Balland, co-founder of Ledger, one of the leading companies in the development of physical wallets for cryptocurrencies, was abducted on Tuesday, January 21, from his home near Vierzon (Cher), France. The kidnappers took him to another location where he was held captive. His wife, who was also taken hostage, was freed alongside him following a police operation on Wednesday, January 22, according to the Paris prosecutor’s office.

A Kidnapping Followed by a Ransom Demand
The perpetrators had demanded the payment of a significant ransom in cryptocurrencies, as confirmed by the prosecutor’s office. An investigation has been opened for “kidnapping and organized group detention to obtain the execution of a condition,” a crime punishable by life imprisonment.

The rescue operation mobilized the national gendarmerie, including the Bourges research division and the National Cyber Unit. After his release, David Balland was taken care of by emergency services and required medical attention. Investigators remain fully engaged in identifying and apprehending all individuals involved in this criminal act.

Ledger: A Leading Company in the Cryptocurrency Industry
Founded in 2014 by two French entrepreneurs, Thomas France and Éric Larchevêque, Ledger specializes in securing cryptocurrencies. The company offers physical wallets that allow users to store their digital assets and NFTs outside online platforms, thereby mitigating the risks associated with platform failures.

Today, Ledger secures approximately 20% of global cryptocurrency assets and 30% of NFTs, solidifying its position as a leader in this critical sector.