Kidnapped Ledger Co-Founder David Balland Had His Hand Mutilated in Ransom Plot

David Balland, the co-founder of French cryptocurrency hardware wallet company Ledger, was kidnapped alongside his wife in an incident that resulted in severe injuries to one of his hands, according to a Reuters report on Friday.

🚨🇫🇷KIDNAPPED CO-FOUNDER OF FRENCH CRYPTO FIRM HAD HAND MUTILATED DURING RANSOM ORDEAL

David Balland, co-founder of French crypto firm Ledger, was kidnapped along with his wife and subjected to horrific violence, including mutilation of his hand, as kidnappers demanded ransom in… pic.twitter.com/D76KROHNQw

— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) January 24, 2025

The couple was abducted from their home in central France on January 21, marking the beginning of a harrowing 48-hour ordeal.

Details have surfaced following Balland’s release earlier this week, revealing that the couple was held captive at separate locations.

According to Paris Prosecutor Laure Beccuau, the kidnappers demanded and partially received a cryptocurrency ransom.

Dramatic Police Rescue Operation

The rescue operation, led by over 90 officers from GIGN, France’s elite tactical police force, successfully freed Balland on January 22.

His wife was discovered unharmed the following day, tied up in a vehicle in the Essonne region.

Balland sustained injuries to his hand during the ordeal, though the prosecutor did not specify the extent. He is currently receiving medical treatment while authorities continue their investigation.

Ten individuals are being questioned in connection with what officials describe as a targeted crime.

Balland, who has not worked at Ledger since 2021, was released after intense efforts by law enforcement.

Ledger CEO Breaks Silence, Comments on Kidnapping

Although Balland no longer has ties to Ledger, the company’s CEO, Pascal Gauthier, commented on the kidnapping, expressing relief over the couple’s safety.

🇫🇷 Nous sommes profondément soulagés d’apprendre la libération de David et sa femme et de les savoir sains et saufs. J’ai pris contact avec David, et nos pensées vont avec lui et sa famille. Nous partageons aussi l’émotion des membres de notre équipe, et en particulier de celles…

— Pascal Gauthier @Ledger (@_pgauthier) January 23, 2025

“We are deeply relieved that David and his wife have been released and are now safe,” Gauthier stated.

“We respected law enforcement requests around safeguarding critical details of the ongoing investigation and appreciated members of the press who did the same,” he added.