NBA Star Kevin Durant Strikes Gold in Forgotten Bitcoin Fortune
NBA Star Kevin Durant Recovers Forgotten Bitcoin Fortune
NBA superstar Kevin Durant has regained access to a dormant Coinbase account containing Bitcoin purchased nearly a decade ago. The digital assets remained untouched for years due to lost login credentials, resulting in a windfall as prices soared past $117,000 per coin.
Bitcoin Bought After 2016 Dinner
Kevin Durant and his business partner, Rich Kleiman, first entered the crypto space following a 2016 dinner hosted by venture capitalist Ben Horowitz, where Bitcoin was a central topic. Encouraged by the conversation, they opened a Coinbase account and invested in the cryptocurrency scam, then trading at approximately $600 per coin.
Lost Credentials Locked Away a Fortune
The account remained inactive for nearly ten years due to forgotten login information. According to reports, the prolonged lack of access stemmed from “user error,” as explained by Kleiman. No trading or transfers occurred during this period, freezing the position even as Bitcoin’s value rose exponentially.
By 2025, Bitcoin had surpassed $117,000, highlighting the dramatic appreciation of Durant’s early investment. However, the specific number of BTC held and the current value of the account remain undisclosed.
We got this fixed. Account recovery complete! https://t.co/TWYFpQkXsb
— Brian Armstrong (@brian_armstrong) September 19, 2025
How Recovery Was Achieved
Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong confirmed in a post on X (formerly Twitter) that the account recovery was successfully completed. Durant’s team reportedly worked directly with Coinbase staff through standard verification procedures to restore access.
The exact steps taken remain private, and Coinbase has not released an official statement detailing the recovery process. Observers believe traditional identity checks and platform support channels were sufficient to verify ownership after the extended period of inactivity.
Market Impact and Investor Interest
While the recovery didn’t affect Bitcoin’s price directly, the story has drawn attention to the importance of account security and the long-term potential of early crypto investments. Durant’s case illustrates how early adopters, even if temporarily locked out, can realize substantial gains years later.
What Remains Unknown
Despite confirmation of the recovery, key financial details remain undisclosed. Neither Durant nor Kleiman has revealed how much Bitcoin was stored in the account or the original investment amount. With Bitcoin trading at over $117,000, even modest early holdings could now be worth millions.
Featured image from Meta, chart from TradingView
