Spain arrests suspect in 2025 kidnapping of Ledger co-founder

Spain’s Civil Guard detained a suspect wanted by France over the 2025 kidnapping of Ledger co-founder David Balland, in a case tied to a wider wave of crypto-targeted abductions.

Spanish authorities have arrested a suspect in the 2025 kidnapping of Ledger co-founder David Balland, marking a cross-border breakthrough in one of Europe’s most high-profile crypto-linked abduction cases.

Spain’s Civil Guard said the suspect was detained in Benalmádena, in the southern province of Málaga, under a European arrest warrant issued by France. The man is accused of involvement in the abduction and torture of Balland, in which attackers demanded a ransom of 10 million euros (around $11.5 million).

Balland was abducted from his home in central France on Jan. 21, 2025, and was held captive until a police operation secured his release on the night of Jan. 22. 

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