Kevin Durant's $650 Bitcoin Investment Soars 17,700% After Decade-Long Lockout

Kevin Durant Recovers Bitcoin Bought at $650, Now Up Over 17,700% After Nearly a Decade In a remarkable turn of events, NBA forward Kevin Durant has regained access to his Coinbase account, which had been locked out for nearly a decade. The recovery comes as a significant relief to Durant, who had purchased bitcoin in 2016 at an estimated $650 per coin. According to Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong, the issue was resolved after a viral tweet about Durant's access issues sparked attention from the company. "We got this fixed," Armstrong posted on X, responding to the tweet. "Account recovery complete." Durant's bitcoin holdings have appreciated significantly since 2016, with the price of BTC rising over 17,700%. The current value of his holdings is estimated to be around $116,000 per coin. The episode highlights the growing frustration among Coinbase users, many of whom have alleged similar issues retrieving account access. This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of secure and reliable digital storage solutions for cryptocurrency assets. Background and context: In 2016, Durant invested in bitcoin, purchasing coins at an estimated $650 per unit. At that time, the cryptocurrency market was still in its infancy, with many experts predicting a bright future for digital currencies. However, as the years passed, Durant's account became inaccessible due to technical issues. The recovery of Durant's account is a significant development in the world of cryptocurrency, highlighting the importance of robust security measures and user-friendly interfaces. As the market continues to evolve, companies like Coinbase must prioritize customer experience and ensure seamless access to digital assets. Additional perspectives: Experts in the field of cryptocurrency and AI are weighing in on the significance of this incident. "This episode underscores the need for more advanced AI-powered solutions to manage and secure digital assets," said Dr. Maria Rodriguez, a leading expert in AI and blockchain technology. "As the market continues to grow, we must prioritize user experience and ensure that customers have easy access to their holdings." Current status and next developments: The recovery of Durant's account marks a significant milestone for Coinbase, which has faced criticism for its handling of customer issues. The company has vowed to improve its security measures and user interface to prevent similar incidents in the future. As the cryptocurrency market continues to evolve, it is essential that companies like Coinbase prioritize customer experience and ensure seamless access to digital assets. With the rise of AI-powered solutions, we can expect to see more advanced security measures and user-friendly interfaces emerge in the coming years. By Francisco Rodrigues, AI Boost Edited by Aoyon Ashraf September 20, 2025, 2:46 p.m. *Reporting by Coindesk.*