Kevin Durant Recovers Long-Lost Bitcoin Wallet

NBA superstar Kevin Durant, known for his early and savvy tech investments, has finally regained access to a Bitcoin wallet he bought in 2016 and had been locked out of for years. In what amounts to a digital treasure hunt with a staggering payday, Durant’s rediscovered crypto holdings have appreciated by an estimated 10,000% since his initial purchase. The story highlights both the incredible returns of early cryptocurrency adoption and the critical importance of digital asset security.

Kevin Durant Recovers Long-Lost Bitcoin Wallet

Durant disclosed in a recent episode of his “The Boardroom” show that he had invested in Bitcoin back in 2016. At that time, the cryptocurrency was a niche asset largely unknown to the general public. In late 2016, the price of a single Bitcoin was approximately $700. As of September 2025, that same Bitcoin is now worth more than $100,000.

This remarkable achievement represents an astonishing 100 times return on investment, or a gain of approximately 10,000%. While the exact amount of Bitcoin Durant purchased remains undisclosed, his unintentional “HODL”—a term within the crypto community denoting the act of holding an asset for an extended period despite substantial price fluctuations—has resulted in a substantial unrealized gain. This accidental long-term hold serves as a striking illustration of Bitcoin’s performance over the past decade. For the most up-to-date crypto pricing information, you can visit data aggregators such as CoinMarketCap.

A Cautionary Tale in Crypto Security

Durant’s story serves as a powerful reminder of the unforgiving nature of cryptocurrency security. Unlike traditional bank accounts, there’s no customer service number to call if you lose access to a self-custody crypto wallet. Access is controlled by a unique “private key” or a “seed phrase,” a string of words that functions as a master password.

If this key is lost, the funds in the wallet are often permanently inaccessible. A report from crypto analytics firm Chainalysis estimates that as much as 20% of all Bitcoin in circulation worth hundreds of billions of dollars is permanently lost in wallets that have been lost. Durant’s ability to finally recover his credentials is a rare positive outcome in what is a common and often costly crypto nightmare. For more information on securing digital assets, educational resources like Bitcoin.org provide essential guidance.

More Than a Dabbler: Durant’s Tech Empire

Durant’s early venture into Bitcoin wasn’t a casual one-off bet; it was one of the initial moves in what has become a formidable tech investing career. Through his venture capital firm, 35V (Thirty Five Ventures), Durant was an early investor in some of the biggest names in tech and finance.

His portfolio includes early-stage investments in:

• Coinbase: The largest cryptocurrency exchange in the U.S.
• Postmates: The delivery service acquired by Uber for $2.65 billion.
• Robinhood: The popular stock and crypto trading app.

As detailed in profiles by publications like Forbes, Durant’s investment thesis has long focused on emerging technologies. His 2016 Bitcoin purchase was a clear precursor to his later, more structured investments in the broader digital asset ecosystem via his stake in Coinbase.

Also read, Fed Rate Cut Could Boost Crypto Markets.

Key Takeaways:

• The Story: NBA star Kevin Durant has regained access to a Bitcoin wallet he bought in 2016.
• Massive Gains: The price of Bitcoin has increased by approximately 10,000% since late 2016, turning Durant’s long-lost investment into a major windfall.
• A Rare Recovery: Durant’s ability to recover his wallet is a rare exception to the rule, as billions of dollars in Bitcoin are considered permanently lost in inaccessible wallets.
• Crypto Security Lesson: The story highlights the critical importance of safely storing private keys and seed phrases for self-custody crypto wallets.
• Savvy Tech Investor: The early Bitcoin purchase fits into Durant’s broader and highly successful career as a tech investor through his VC firm, 35V.

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List of SEO Keywords Used

• Primary Keyword: Kevin Durant Bitcoin
• Secondary/LSI Keywords:
  • Crypto Wallet
  • Bitcoin Price
  • 35V Investments
  • Cryptocurrency Security

Image & Media Suggestions

• Images:
  • A professional photo of Kevin Durant in a business or off-court setting. Alt Text: NBA star and tech investor Kevin Durant.
  • An infographic chart showing the exponential price growth of Bitcoin from 2016 to 2025. Alt Text: Chart of Bitcoin’s price growth from 2016 to 2025.
  • A stylized graphic of a physical hardware crypto wallet. Alt Text: A secure hardware crypto wallet.
• Interactive Content:
  • Short Video Clip: An embedded clip of Kevin Durant from “The Boardroom” or another interview where he discusses his tech investments.
  • Poll: A simple poll: “What’s more surprising about this story: The 10,000% return on Bitcoin OR that he was able to recover a lost wallet?”
• Social Snippets:
  • Twitter/X: “Imagine finding a lottery ticket from 2016. That’s what happened to Kevin Durant, who just regained access to a long-lost Bitcoin wallet. The estimated return? A staggering 10,000%. #KevinDurant #Bitcoin #Crypto”
  • LinkedIn: “Kevin Durant’s recovery of his 2016 Bitcoin wallet is more than a celebrity crypto story; it’s a powerful lesson in long-term conviction and digital asset security. It also underscores the sophistication of his early tech investments, which preceded his formal VC work with 35V. #Crypto #Investing #VentureCapital #AssetManagement”