Ledger Co-Founder’s Kidnapping: Ransom Demanded in Cryptocurrency

David Balland, co-founder of Ledger, was kidnapped in France in January 2025, with a €10 million cryptocurrency ransom demanded.

The incident highlights growing security concerns for crypto professionals, impacting regulatory discussions and emergency protocols.

Ledger Co-Founder Abduction and €10M Ransom Demand

David Balland, who co-founded Ledger, faced a severe ordeal when kidnapped with his partner, demanding a €10 million crypto ransom.

The kidnappers contacted Éric Larchevêque with a ransom video, who in turn alerted authorities. This incident occurred amid growing attacks on crypto executives.

Security Meetings Triggered by Crypto Kidnapping

The kidnapping sparked immediate security concerns among crypto holders, leading to emergency meetings with the French government and crypto industry stakeholders.

Governments and industry leaders began establishing new emergency protocols for crypto professionals, enhancing collaboration between law enforcement and the crypto community. As the French Interior Ministry stated, “Initial immediate prevention and protection measures had been agreed. The measures include close collaboration between police and crypto professionals, ‘priority access’ to emergency call numbers and home safety consultations.”

Escalating Violence Against Crypto Executives Highlighted

This case follows a series of violent attacks on crypto executives, highlighting ongoing vulnerabilities within the industry despite technical integrity, much like the case where a man was convicted of violent home invasion robberies to steal cryptocurrency.

Experts suggest the need for increased security measures, with historical trends indicating a shift towards collaborative safety protocols in response to such threats. On a broader level, the incident has been covered extensively by reputable sources such as France 24.