Kevin Durant has successfully regained access to his Coinbase account, putting an end to a prolonged issue that had kept the NBA star estranged from his early bitcoin investments. Coinbase confirmed the recovery in a statement to Decrypt, following remarks made earlier this week by Durant’s long-time business partner and agent, Rich Kleiman, during CNBC’s Game Plan conference in Los Angeles. Kleiman lightheartedly noted the challenges surrounding the account, clarifying that they stemmed from simple user error rather than any fault of the platform itself.
Durant’s foray into the cryptocurrency realm began in the mid-2010s when he moved to the Bay Area. As reported by The Sports Rush, the two-time NBA champion made his inaugural bitcoin purchase after a dinner hosted by venture capitalist Ben Horowitz, using Coinbase as his exchange of choice. Despite the initial excitement surrounding the investment, both Durant and Kleiman admitted they had forgotten their account credentials in subsequent years. With bitcoin’s current trading value surpassing $116,000, that early purchase has likely appreciated significantly, potentially elevating the worth of the investment to tens of millions.
Durant has consistently demonstrated an entrepreneurial spirit, with his business endeavors making him one of the most active players in the NBA off the court. Through his company, Thirty Five Ventures, he has invested in various startups, including Coinbase itself, showcasing his early commitment to the crypto sector. The recovery of his account not only highlights the pitfalls of being an early cryptocurrency adopter but also reinforces Durant’s reputation as one of basketball’s most innovative athletes off the hardwood.
On the basketball front, Durant continues to perform at a high level at the age of 36. He had an impressive season with the Phoenix Suns, averaging 26.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 4.2 assists in 62 games during the 2024–25 season before his trade to the Houston Rockets in July as part of a monumental seven-team deal. Furthermore, in February 2025, he joined the ranks of the NBA’s elite by becoming the eighth player in history to surpass 30,000 career points, solidifying his legacy among the greatest scorers in the game.
With his Coinbase account now back under his control, Durant is positioned to maintain and expand both his financial portfolio and basketball legacy, continuing to craft an impressive tapestry that intertwines sports and business success.
