NBA Star Regains Access to Coinbase Account, Recovers Bitcoin Purchased in 2016

NBA Star Kevin Durant has finally regained access to his long-locked Coinbase account, bringing an end to nearly a decade of concerns over lost credentials.

The recovery means Durant can now access Bitcoin he first purchased in 2016, back when the cryptocurrency traded for around $600.

Today, with Bitcoin hovering near $117,000, that early investment has multiplied significantly.

A lost login, a big gain

Durant’s crypto journey began in 2016 after attending a birthday party for venture capitalist Ben Horowitz. His manager and business partner, Rich Kleiman, recalled the night during CNBC’s Game Plan conference this week:

“I just heard the word ‘Bitcoin’ 25 times this evening, and the next day, we started investing in Bitcoin.” The exact size of their purchase wasn’t disclosed, but at the time, Bitcoin was still a niche asset far from today’s global spotlight.

For years, however, they were unable to access the account. The issue came down to lost login details. Despite the lapse, the coins sat untouched through Bitcoin’s massive bull runs.

“But Bitcoin keeps going up … so, I mean, it’s only benefited us,” Kleiman added. On Friday (earlier today), Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong confirmed on X that Durant’s recovery was complete, writing: “We got this fixed. Account recovery complete.”

Durant’s ties to Coinbase and crypto

Durant’s relationship with Coinbase extends beyond his personal holdings. In 2017, he and Kleiman invested in the exchange through their firm, Thirty Five Ventures, and in 2021 he became an official brand partner for the company.

The connection highlights how Durant’s crypto involvement has mirrored his basketball career: his entry into Bitcoin came as he joined the Golden State Warriors, where he went on to win two championships and cement his status among the NBA’s all-time scoring leaders.

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