NBA superstar Kevin Durant has regained control of his long-inactive Coinbase account containing Bitcoin, putting an end to years of frustration over forgotten login details.
The recovery gives him access to Bitcoin holdings that have multiplied in value since his first investment almost ten years ago.
How Durant Met Bitcoin in 2016
Durant first learned about Bitcoin in 2016, during a birthday party thrown by venture capitalist Ben Horowitz, which he attended with his business partner, Rich Kleiman. The evening was filled with conversations about cryptocurrencies, and the constant buzz around Bitcoin caught their attention.
Reflecting on that night during CNBC’s Game Plan conference in Los Angeles this week, Kleiman said the repeated mentions of Bitcoin nudged them to explore the digital asset seriously.
By the very next day, the two had signed up on Coinbase and made their first purchase. He kept the size of the investment undisclosed but noted that it marked the start of their crypto journey.
At the time, one Bitcoin was valued at around $600. Today, the same coin trades near $117,000, turning what began as a curiosity-driven experiment into one of Durant’s most profitable long-term decisions.
Coinbase Confirms the Reset
Durant moved early into Bitcoin but couldn’t access his Coinbase account for years after misplacing his login details. During that time, he watched from the sidelines as the cryptocurrency soared. Ironically, this inaccessibility preserved his holdings through years of market volatility.
The account reset occurred shortly after Kleiman spoke about their first Bitcoin purchase at CNBC’s Game Plan conference in Los Angeles.
After completing Coinbase’s identity checks, Durant regained access to his dormant wallet. Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong confirmed the recovery on X, noting that the platform’s support team had guided Durant through the process.
Meanwhile, Kleiman used the conference stage to joke that being locked out may have turned into a hidden advantage. With no ability to sell or trade, Durant’s Bitcoin remained untouched through years of wild swings.
Consequently, their early bet grew into a far larger windfall by the time recovery was complete. Specifically, the value of the holdings has expanded by over 195X.
We got this fixed. Account recovery complete! https://t.co/TWYFpQkXsb
— Brian Armstrong (@brian_armstrong) September 19, 2025
Durant’s Broader Connection to Coinbase
Meanwhile, Durant’s ties to Coinbase go beyond personal investing. In 2017, he and Kleiman, through their firm Thirty Five Ventures, became early backers of Coinbase. By 2021, Durant also signed on as a brand partner, appearing in campaigns to promote the platform.
This long-standing relationship places him among a select group of athletes who have combined sports stardom with early investments in digital finance.
A Career of Highs On and Off the Court
Durant’s crypto moves coincided with one of the brightest stretches of his basketball career. He started playing for the Golden State Warriors in 2016 and went on to win back-to-back NBA championships. Today, as he enters his 18th season with the Houston Rockets, he ranks seventh on the NBA’s all-time scoring list.
His continued success on the court mirrors his calculated business decisions off it. From venture capital investments to media projects, Durant has consistently positioned himself as more than just an athlete.
Notably, Durant is not the only NBA player venturing into the digital asset space. Tristan Thompson, the center for the Cleveland Cavaliers, unveiled a new Web3 platform this week. The platform provides ways for fans to connect with him.
Also, Spencer Dinwiddie, who plays for the Charlotte Hornets, previously explored the idea of tokenizing his player contract.
DisClamier: This content is informational and should not be considered financial advice. The views expressed in this article may include the author's personal opinions and do not reflect The Crypto Basic opinion. Readers are encouraged to do thorough research before making any investment decisions. The Crypto Basic is not responsible for any financial losses.
