Although Bitcoin $98,403 was introduced in 2009, it took time to attract public attention. Initially perceived as a scam by many, Bitcoin has gained recognition and now accounts for 0.1% of global capital due to the rapid growth of the cryptocurrency sector over the past fifteen years. As of today, Bitcoin’s market value stands at $1.15 trillion, with its price around $58,800.
$1.4 Billion Bitcoin Theft
During this growth, many embraced Bitcoin while others accumulated BTC from the beginning. However, the journey has not always been smooth, with numerous thefts and hacks occurring, leading to the loss of millions in cryptocurrency. One significant incident involved an unidentified investor, known as “ALLINVAIN,” who lost 25,000 BTC worth $1.4 billion.
The Story of Crypto Miner ALLINVAIN
In the early days of Bitcoin, before adequate regulations and exchanges existed, the investor under the pseudonym “ALLINVAIN” mined thousands of BTC. He discovered Bitcoin in 2010 and accumulated 25,000 BTC by 2011. Additionally, he founded a cryptocurrency exchange called Bitcoin Express, allowing users to buy BTC using PayPal and selling over 1,000 BTC at $5 each.
At his peak, he produced 50 BTC per hour and 1,200 BTC per day while Bitcoin was priced under $10. The price surged to $30 in 2011, earning him a wealth of $500,000. This made him one of the largest crypto whales of the time, but it was short-lived as he lost 25,000 BTC due to a Trojan virus on June 13, 2011.
This theft caused a significant stir, highlighting the need for security within the cryptocurrency sector and driving the development of reliable security software. The importance of secure cryptocurrency wallets and trustworthy exchanges became more evident in the aftermath.
Ongoing Security Issues in the Crypto World
Over the past fifteen years, the cryptocurrency sector has evolved significantly, implementing better regulations and security measures. Nevertheless, cryptocurrency thefts continue to be a persistent issue, causing major problems. A recent example is the hack of WazirX, India’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, which resulted in the theft of $235 million.
The story of “ALLINVAIN” underscores the critical nature of security in the cryptocurrency sector. The 25,000 BTC stolen back then is worth $1.47 billion today, and it peaked at $1.84 billion when Bitcoin reached a price of $73,750. This event serves as a reminder for cryptocurrency users to prioritize security measures to protect their assets.