Suspect Indicted in High-Profile Kidnapping of Ledger Co-Founder

A 26-year-old suspect, already jailed for another kidnapping case, has been charged in connection with the January abduction of David Balland, highlighting organized crime targeting the cryptocurrency sector.

David Balland, co-founder of Ledger, and his companion were kidnapped on January 21, 2025, from their residence in Méreau, with a severed finger video sent as part of a cryptocurrency ransom demand.
Balland was released on January 22 after being held in Châteauroux, while his companion was found tied in a vehicle trunk in Essonne the following day.
On April 10, 2025, a 26-year-old suspect, already imprisoned for another kidnapping case, was indicted and incarcerated for his alleged role in this abduction but denies being the mastermind.
Seven additional individuals, including six men and one woman aged 20 to 40, have also been charged with extortion, money laundering, and other crimes tied to the kidnapping.
The case underscores the growing threat of organized crime targeting high-profile figures in the cryptocurrency industry, prompting extensive law enforcement efforts led by Junalco and the French Gendarmerie.