Spanish authorities have arrested a suspect linked to the 2025 kidnapping of Ledger co-founder David Balland, marking a key breakthrough in a high-profile crypto-related case.
The suspect was detained in Benalmádena under a European arrest warrant issued by France, where he is accused of involvement in Balland’s abduction and a €10 million ransom demand.
Balland was kidnapped from his home in central France in January 2025 and rescued the following day after a police operation.
Investigators said the suspect had been moving across Spain, using rented apartments and third-party payment methods to avoid detection before being tracked and arrested.
Authorities described the operation as high risk, citing concerns that members of the suspect’s criminal network could attempt a rescue.
The case is part of a wider pattern of crypto-linked kidnappings in France, where multiple incidents targeting executives and investors have been reported in 2025.
Recent cases include attempted abductions of crypto figures and ransom demands tied to access to digital wallets, highlighting rising security risks in the sector.