Ledger Co-Founder's kidnapping serves as a stark reminder to prioritize security in the crypto world.

- On January 21, David Balland and his wife are kidnapped from their residence and taken to separate locations.
- The abductors demand a ransom of 100 BTC (approximately $10 million) from another co-founder, reportedly Éric Larchevêque, and send one of David’s severed fingers as evidence.
- A portion of the ransom is paid to stall for time.
- GIGN, France's elite unit, successfully locates and rescues David.
- Hours later, they also rescue his wife, who is discovered tied up in a car.
- Most of the ransom is traced and frozen.