Alleged Kidnapping of Ledger Co-Founder Eric Larchevêque’s is a Hoax

Rumours have emerged suggesting that Eric Larchevêque, co-founder of Ledger, the prominent cryptocurrency hardware wallet company, was kidnapped in Mairé, a small town in central France where he resides.

The reports indicated that the alleged abductors demanded a Bitcoin ransom, prompting an investigation by French authorities, including the National Gendarmerie Intervention Group (GIGN).

While some sources claimed that French police were actively pursuing leads in the Vienne region, others quickly debunked the story, raising doubts about its credibility.

In the wake of the rumours, a "Justice for Eric" meme coin was launched but soon collapsed, further fuelling the speculation.

Despite the viral spread of the story across crypto social media, no verifiable evidence has surfaced to support the claims.

Larchevêque Reportedly Safe But Unable to Communicate

The recent rumours surrounding the alleged kidnapping of Larchevêque raise a series of intriguing questions.

Larchevêque, who resigned from Ledger in 2019, has not been directly involved with the company for years, casting doubt on the authenticity of the claims.

Despite the rapid spread of the story across social media, Larchevêque remained silent, further fuelling speculation.

Known for his active presence on X (formerly known as Twitter), his last post was over 24 hours before the incident made headlines.

At the time of writing, Larchevêque last post was a video on “What does it really mean to ‘own bitcoins’?”.

Many expressed concern in the comment section about his whereabouts and well-being but to date, there has been no response.

While local media and investigative journalists quickly dismissed the kidnapping rumour, Gregory Raymond, co-founder of investigative firm The Big Whale, emphasized the lack of evidence and warned that spreading false information could undermine law enforcement efforts.

Raymond assured that "Eric is safe," but provided no additional updates, which only deepened the mystery.

French media outlet Le Fil d’Info suggested that the allegations may have been exaggerated or fabricated.

However, the story continued to gain traction within the cryptocurrency community, prompting further questions.

If Larchevêque is not involved, who would fabricate such an elaborate hoax?

Given the ongoing controversies surrounding Ledger—ranging from leadership changes and security concerns to mass layoffs in 2023—this strange incident stands out, but still, no clear motive for a staged kidnapping has emerged.

Crypto Community Uncertain

Amidst growing rumours, former Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao (CZ) took to X to address the unfolding situation, acknowledging the confusion surrounding the events.

CZ noted:

“I am seeing a lot of posts about the former CEO of Ledger being kidnapped and asking for BTC as a ransom, for instance. However, some posts are saying that he is alright. I don’t know what is real for now. The truth will come out soon. Regardless, I hope he is fine.”

His comments were measured, a response likely influenced by the absence of official statements from both Ledger and French authorities at the time.

Ledger, co-founded by Larchevêque in 2014, is a major player in the cryptocurrency hardware wallet market, yet it refrained from commenting on the incident.

As speculation swirled, many in the crypto community were left waiting for confirmation from the appropriate authorities regarding Larchevêque's whereabouts.

Adding to the enigma, CZ’s post was later deleted, further deepening the mystery as the community commented that the authencity of the incident is increasing.

Meme Coin Fishing in Troubled Waters

The story gained enough traction to spark the creation of a "Justice for Eric" meme coin on Solana, launched by an anonymous user.

However, its market cap plummeted almost immediately, suggesting the creator may have been aiming for a quick rug pull rather than any legitimate connection to the incident.

This development fails to address the larger questions still surrounding the case.

Regardless of Larchevêque’s whereabouts or Ledger’s continued involvement, this episode underscores a broader issue within the crypto space—misinformation.

Prominent X accounts quickly circulated the kidnapping story despite the absence of any concrete evidence.

While this may have been more a case of misunderstanding than a deliberate hoax, the narrative spread rapidly, highlighting the challenges of controlling false information.

The truth will likely emerge only once Larchevêque provides clarity through an official update.