Kevin Durant has regained access to Bitcoin, which has increased by over 12,000% over the decade.

NBA forward Kevin Durant finally gained access to his cryptocurrency assets after a long hiatus. The account lock on Coinbase lasted about ten years, but the Bitcoin held there significantly increased in value — from a purchase at $650 per coin to the current value of $78,850 (as of February 2026).

Durant’s investment story in crypto began in 2016 when he heard about Bitcoin from his Golden State Warriors teammates. At that time, BTC was trading in the range of $360-$1,000, and Durant decided to buy coins at approximately $650 each. That choice proved to be extremely successful, as the subsequent Bitcoin price growth brought a sum that most investors can only dream of.

How NBA star Durant made millions in crypto

By analyzing Bitcoin’s growth from the time of purchase in 2016 to its current value, one of the most illustrative examples of successful long-term investing can be seen. The prolonged account lock did not prevent assets from growing, as BTC’s value depends on market conditions, not on the owner’s ability to access them. Over nearly ten years, Bitcoin’s story has changed dramatically — from a marginal asset to a mainstream investment that even institutional players are interested in.

Coinbase restored the account after nearly ten years of lock

A turning point in this story was Durant and his business partner Richa Cleman’s public appearance at the CNBC Game Plan conference, where they discussed the issue of lost access. This drew the attention of Brian Armstrong, CEO of Coinbase, who responded promptly. In a statement on X platform, Armstrong said: “We fixed it. The account recovery is complete,” signaling the support team to take action.

Cleman noted that although the lock situation was inconvenient, the long-term growth of the crypto market compensated for this delay. “Bitcoin continues to grow… so, you could say, it only benefited us,” he commented at the conference. Such positive resolution demonstrates the platform’s readiness to address critical issues faced by its users, especially when they become public.

Criticism of Coinbase support and user complaints

However, while Durant received a positive resolution to his issue, many other Coinbase users reported similar difficulties with account access and customer support assistance. This indicates systemic problems on the platform that require a comprehensive approach to resolve.

Armstrong acknowledged these critical comments on social media, noting that the company “places great importance” on improving service quality. This includes enhancing the account recovery process and reducing support response times. The reliability of the platform and the speed of resolving user issues remain relevant concerns across the entire crypto exchange industry.

What happened to Durant’s Bitcoin after unlocking

Interestingly, neither Durant nor his partner disclosed the exact size of their assets now accessible. At the same time, this story vividly demonstrates the potential of long-term Bitcoin investing, even in the face of technical obstacles. Durant and Cleman are Coinbase investors and actively promoted the platform through their media resource Boardroom, indicating a deep connection between sports elites and the crypto industry.

The current BTC price of $78,850 reflects market volatility, but the historical growth trajectory remains a compelling argument for long-term investors. Kevin Durant’s story serves as a lesson that patience and strategic investing can turn small sums into significant wealth, regardless of short-term market fluctuations.