South Korean crypto exchange Bithumb has discovered over $200 million in idle digital assets sitting untouched in millions of user accounts, some inactive for nearly 12 years.
Key Takeaways
- Bithumb found $201.8 million in dormant crypto across 2.6 million inactive user accounts as part of its annual recovery campaign.
- One account contained $2.84 million, with no activity for nearly 12 years.
- Some dormant holdings gained over 61,000%, outpacing Bitcoin’s long-term growth.
- Bithumb plans to contact eligible users and help recover lost assets.
What Happened?
Bithumb has launched a major recovery effort to reconnect users with forgotten crypto holdings. In its latest campaign, the South Korean exchange uncovered approximately 291.6 billion Korean won, or about $201.8 million, in dormant digital assets across 2.6 million inactive accounts. The campaign targets users who haven’t logged in or made any trades for over a year.
LATEST: ⚡ South Korean exchange Bithumb has identified over $200M in crypto sitting dormant across 2.6M inactive accounts, with some balances untouched for nearly 12 years and posting returns exceeding 61,000%. pic.twitter.com/3u774IkqH9
— CoinMarketCap (@CoinMarketCap) January 1, 2026
Forgotten Fortunes: Dormant Accounts Tell a Story
The campaign unearthed some eye-opening findings:
- The largest single dormant holding was worth around $2.84 million.
- The longest period of inactivity was recorded at 4,380 days, or just under 12 years.
- Several accounts have posted returns of over 61,000%, turning what were once minor investments into small fortunes.
Bithumb’s findings shine a light on the early days of crypto, when retail users dabbled in Bitcoin and altcoins without realizing how drastically their value would climb. For instance, Bitcoin traded at around $767 in early 2014. At recent prices near $87,700, that marks a roughly 11,338% increase. Yet, some forgotten altcoin holdings have surpassed even that performance.
These accounts likely belong to early adopters who created wallets, bought small amounts of crypto during early bull runs, and then never returned. As platforms changed and interest waned, many users may have assumed their holdings were negligible.
Bithumb’s Ongoing Customer Recovery Campaign
This effort is not Bithumb’s first. In its 11th anniversary campaign last year, the platform helped 36,000 users reclaim roughly $50 million in dormant assets. The current campaign is significantly larger in scale, reflecting both the platform’s longevity and the rapid growth of the crypto market.
As part of its campaign, Bithumb plans to:
- Notify eligible users directly.
- Offer step-by-step support for account recovery.
- Promote the initiative as part of broader customer protection and transparency efforts.
Unlike many other platforms that remain silent about dormant funds, Bithumb’s proactive disclosures stand out. The exchange is also preparing for a domestic IPO, following a reported 560% profit increase in 2024, signaling its intent to enhance credibility and user trust.
Why This Matters for the Crypto Industry?
Dormant crypto accounts are more than a curiosity. They represent:
- Unrealized liquidity that could suddenly re-enter the market.
- Latent supply capable of impacting market dynamics during volatile periods.
- A regulatory and operational risk for platforms that fail to address long-lost customer funds.
The initiative raises broader questions about how crypto exchanges handle inactive users and forgotten assets. As crypto matures, transparency and customer-first policies could play a major role in shaping long-term trust.
CoinLaw’s Takeaway
I find this discovery both fascinating and a little sobering. In my experience, it’s easy to underestimate just how much money sits idle in forgotten wallets. What Bithumb uncovered is a reminder of crypto’s wild early days, when people bought Bitcoin for fun or curiosity and walked away. Now, those dusty wallets are holding life-changing sums. I really appreciate Bithumb’s approach here. It’s transparent, user-focused, and proactive, which is something the entire crypto industry needs more of. Plus, it’s just cool to see how patience, or in this case neglect, turned pocket change into millions.
