Part of the crypto-kidnapping ransom paid by Ledger co-founder David Balland has been tracked and frozen

Odaily News B Paris prosecutors held a press conference on Thursday evening and said that during the kidnapping of Ledger co-founder David Balland, the kidnappers contacted another Ledger co-founder and demanded a ransom in cryptocurrency, which has been partially paid. The rescue operation mobilized more than 90 officers from GIGN, one of France's elite tactical police forces, and eventually rescued David Balland and arrested the kidnappers. The next day, his wife was found tied up in the car but was not injured. Ten suspects are being questioned by the police. Prosecutors said that almost all the cryptocurrencies paid to the kidnappers were tracked, frozen and seized. Pascal Gauthier, chairman and CEO of Ledger, said in a statement that David Balland has left Ledger since 2021 and currently does not hold any position in the company. "(straitstimes)