Ledger Co-Founder Released After Kidnapping

Co-Founder of Ledger Released After Kidnapping

David Balland, co-founder of the popular cryptocurrency hardware wallet manufacturer Ledger, has been released after being kidnapped from his home in France. The kidnapping occurred on Tuesday morning, and Balland was freed on Wednesday night following a successful police operation.

Police Operation and Ransom Demand

The Paris prosecutor’s office confirmed the release and stated that the kidnappers had demanded a ransom in cryptocurrency, although the exact amount has not been disclosed. The operation was classified as ultra-sensitive, prompting the media to remain silent while the situation was being resolved. The national gendarmerie worked discreetly under the Paris prosecutor’s office to locate those responsible for the kidnapping.

Some reports suggest that the kidnappers sent a human finger as part of their ransom demand. After being abducted, Balland was reportedly moved to a different location where he was held before being released. He is currently receiving necessary medical care from emergency services.

False Rumors Surrounding Another Co-Founder

Following Balland’s kidnapping, rumors circulated that another Ledger co-founder, Eric Larchevêque, had also been abducted. However, Grégory Raymond, co-founder of The Big Whale, clarified that these allegations were false, confirming that Larchevêque was not involved in any kidnapping incident.

The false claims about Larchevêque stemmed from a social media post that mentioned a top Ledger executive being held for ransom. Although the post did not name Larchevêque, a photo attached to it led to widespread speculation. Raymond urged caution regarding unverified reports, warning that misinformation could impede ongoing investigations.

About Ledger

Ledger, a hardware wallet maker, was founded in 2014 by a team of eight cryptocurrency specialists, including Eric Larchevêque, David Balland, Joel Pobeda, Nicolas Bacca, and Thomas France. The company reached a valuation of $1.4 billion following a $108 million funding round in 2023.

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