How many bitcoins have been permanently lost?

3 answers

• Hobbs StraussMay 11, 2024 · a year ago
  It is difficult to provide an exact number, but it is estimated that around 4 million bitcoins have been permanently lost. These lost bitcoins are a result of various reasons, including forgotten passwords, lost hardware wallets, and unrecoverable private keys. The decentralized nature of Bitcoin makes it impossible to retrieve these lost coins, and they remain dormant in the blockchain forever.
  398

  199
• Anjali MagarJul 24, 2020 · 5 years ago
  There is no way to accurately determine the exact number of bitcoins that have been permanently lost. However, it is believed that a significant number of bitcoins have been lost due to human error, such as forgetting passwords or losing access to wallets. Additionally, some bitcoins may have been intentionally destroyed or sent to addresses with no known private keys. These lost bitcoins contribute to the scarcity of the cryptocurrency and can impact its overall value.
  474

  158
• Stuti GuptaNov 22, 2023 · 2 years ago
  According to a recent study, it is estimated that approximately 20% of the total supply of bitcoins has been lost or is inaccessible. This amounts to around 3-4 million bitcoins that are permanently out of circulation. These lost bitcoins have a significant impact on the supply and demand dynamics of the cryptocurrency market, potentially driving up the value of the remaining bitcoins in circulation. It is important for users to take proper precautions to secure their bitcoins and avoid the risk of permanent loss.
  519

  130