The billion-dollar Ethereum wallet that no one can unlock — why?
Written by Ohris M. Greyoon, Blockchain & Crypto Expert
Source: Coinmarketcap
Updated: Aug 15 2025Ethereum Wallet Worth Over a Billion: Rain Lõhmus, an Estonian banker, purchased 250,000 ETH during Ethereum's presale in 2014, but has lost access to the wallet due to a forgotten password and JSON file, leaving the $1.18 billion fortune frozen and inaccessible.
Challenges of Recovery: The encryption method used for Ethereum's presale wallets makes it nearly impossible to recover lost passwords without strong clues, meaning Lõhmus's substantial holdings may remain untouched indefinitely, joining other famous crypto loss stories like Bitcoin Pizza Day and James Howells's hard drive.
About the author
Ohris M. Greyoon
Ohris M. Greyoon holds a Master’s in Computer Science from MIT and has 10 years of experience in blockchain technology and cryptocurrency markets. A pioneer in decentralized finance (DeFi) analysis, he leads Intellectia’s Crypto News, offering cutting-edge insights into digital assets.
