Bithumb Exchange Uncovers $200M in Dormant Crypto Assets from Millions of Inactive Accounts

South Korean cryptocurrency exchange Bithumb has discovered approximately 291.6 billion won ($201.8 million) in dormant digital assets spread across 2.6 million inactive user accounts. The recovery operation targeted users who had not logged in or traded for over a year, with some accounts untouched for nearly twelve years.

The dormant holdings reflect crypto's early adoption phase, when speculative interest often outpaced long-term commitment. Market downturns and forgotten small balances likely contributed to the abandonment. Notably, one account held nearly $2.84 million in idle assets—highlighting how some early adopters completely walked away from their holdings.

This revelation follows another South Korean exchange's recent $35 million hot wallet hack, underscoring ongoing challenges in asset management and security within the sector. If reclaimed, these recovered funds could potentially reinject significant liquidity into Bithumb's trading ecosystem.