A Chinese netizen recently shared an astonishing story: their father had purchased over 4,000 Bitcoins (BTC) in 2015, which were thought to be lost until the family rediscovered the storage hard drive. The Bitcoins, dormant for nearly a decade, have surged in value by over 200x, sparking widespread discussion online.
Key Details of the Discovery
- Initial Purchase: The Bitcoins were acquired in 2015 when prices were significantly lower.
- Rediscovery: The hard drive was found in an old computer and successfully decrypted.
- Current Value: At the time of recovery, the stash was worth approximately $274 million** (≈NT$8.8 billion) based on Bitcoin’s price of $68,510.01**.
Wallet Verification
The wallet address linked to the hard drive (18eY9...) was traced back to a 2011 transaction, holding 4,000 BTC with no subsequent activity. This address ranks 410th among Bitcoin’s wealthiest wallets. Notably:
- The
wallet.datfile was listed for sale on allprivatekeys.com, a platform selling 176 wallet files totaling 44,791 BTC. - A 2020 warning on BitcoinTalk forums flagged this wallet as part of a scam involving "lost password" files.
Mixed Reactions from the Crypto Community
While some celebrated the windfall, others questioned the story’s authenticity:
- Skeptics pointed out the wallet’s public transaction history and lack of proof of ownership (e.g., no recent transfers).
- Supporters argued that dormant wallets from 2011 are plausible, given Bitcoin’s early adoption phase.
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FAQ Section
1. How much was Bitcoin worth in 2015?
In 2015, Bitcoin traded between $200–$300, making the initial investment roughly $800,000–$1.2 million for 4,000 BTC.
2. Why did the wallet remain inactive for so long?
Possible reasons include forgotten access keys, intentional long-term holding ("HODLing"), or loss of the hardware.
3. Could this story be a scam?
While the wallet’s existence is verifiable, claims of ownership require concrete evidence (e.g., signed transactions).
4. What’s the lesson here?
Always securely back up crypto wallets and document access details—hardware failures or lost passwords can mean irreversible losses.
Market Impact
Bitcoin’s volatility underscores the importance of:
- Secure storage (e.g., cold wallets).
- Diversification to mitigate risk.
- Staying informed about regulatory and technological changes.
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Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only. Always conduct independent research before making financial decisions.
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