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NBA Star Kevin Durant Unlocks Coinbase Account After Years
NBA superstar Kevin Durant has successfully regained control of his long-inactive Coinbase account, ending years of frustration over forgotten login credentials. The recovery unlocks Bitcoin holdings that have skyrocketed in value since Durant’s initial investment nearly a decade ago.
Durant’s First Encounter with Bitcoin
Durant first discovered Bitcoin in 2016 during a birthday party hosted by venture capitalist Ben Horowitz, where he attended alongside business partner Rich Kleiman. Conversations about cryptocurrencies dominated the evening, and the hype surrounding Bitcoin immediately captured their attention. At the time, one Bitcoin was worth around $600. Today, the same coin trades near $117,000, transforming what began as a curiosity-driven investment into one of Durant’s most profitable long-term financial decisions.
Coinbase Confirms Account Recovery
Durant had been unable to access his Coinbase wallet for years, watching from the sidelines as the cryptocurrency surged. The account reset came shortly after Kleiman discussed their first Bitcoin purchase at CNBC’s Game Plan conference in Los Angeles. After completing Coinbase’s identity verification, Durant regained access, with CEO Brian Armstrong confirming the process on X. Kleiman joked that being locked out may have been a hidden advantage, as Durant’s Bitcoin remained untouched through wild market swings, multiplying over 195X in value.
Durant’s Broader Crypto Ties
Durant’s connection to Coinbase extends beyond personal investment. In 2017, he and Kleiman, through Thirty Five Ventures, became early backers of the platform, later joining as a brand partner in 2021. Durant has combined his sports stardom with strategic moves in digital finance, echoing his careful approach on and off the court.
Other NBA players are exploring similar ventures: Tristan Thompson recently launched a new Web3 platform, while Spencer Dinwiddie previously explored tokenizing his player contract. Durant’s journey underscores the growing intersection between professional sports and cryptocurrency adoption.
