French authorities have arrested seven individuals, including six men and one woman, in connection with the kidnapping and torture of David Balland, co-founder of the global cryptocurrency security firm Ledger, and his partner.

The arrests follow a late-night operation Thursday involving 230 officers, including the elite GIGN tactical unit and cryptocurrency experts. Prosecutors say the suspects face charges of gang-related kidnapping, torture, and armed extortion, with potential life sentences.

Balland, 36, and his partner were abducted early Tuesday from his home in the Loire region. The perpetrators demanded a significant ransom in cryptocurrency, a portion of which was paid before authorities froze the remaining assets.

Eric Larcheveque, another Ledger co-founder, alerted police after receiving a video showing Balland’s mutilated finger and the ransom demand.

Balland was rescued on Wednesday and taken to a hospital, while his partner was found tied up in a car at another location.

Most suspects were known to police for prior offenses, though none had gang affiliations. Five of the seven detainees are aged between 20 and 25.

Three others initially detained have been released, while defense lawyers for the accused have declined to comment.

Founded in 2014, Ledger is a French “unicorn” company valued at over $1 billion. It specializes in digital wallets for safeguarding crypto assets. The kidnapping highlights the risks faced by executives in the high-stakes cryptocurrency industry.

“This was a highly coordinated operation,” said Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau, who confirmed the ransom negotiations were handled under police supervision. “The suspects demanded a large cryptocurrency sum.”

Balland’s ordeal and the successful rescue underscore the growing role of digital asset experts in crime investigations. As cryptocurrency continues to attract global attention, so does the potential for targeted crimes.

French authorities have not disclosed further details on the ransom amount or the timeline for prosecution. The investigation remains ongoing.