David Balland, one of the co-founders of French cryptocurrency hardware wallet manufacturer Ledger, has been released after being kidnapped from his home in central France. The kidnappers demanded a ransom in cryptocurrency, and Balland was held captive until a police operation secured his release. Ledger, which raised €100 million in 2023 and now has a valuation of €1.3 billion, operates a manufacturing facility in Vierzon, France, where Balland served as site director until 2021. The incident has sparked concern in the crypto community, with rumors circulating on social media before the confirmation of Balland's kidnapping.