Bithumb Holds $201.8M in Dormant Crypto Assets Across 2.6M Accounts, Launches Recovery Campaign

South Korean Crypto Exchange Bithumb Identifies $201.8 Million in Dormant Assets

South Korean crypto exchange Bithumb has identified over $201.8 million in dormant customer assets across 2.6 million accounts. The assets are part of the platform's dormant account recovery campaign targeting users who have not logged in or made trades for over a year.

The largest single dormant holding was valued at approximately $2.84 million, and the longest period of inactivity reached nearly 12 years, or 4,380 days. Some accounts have seen returns exceeding 61,000% over the same period, outperforming Bitcoin's 12-year growth.

Bithumb stated it will notify eligible users and offer assistance in reclaiming their accounts. The initiative is part of broader customer protection efforts aimed at helping users recover forgotten assets. Past campaigns have seen over 36,000 users successfully retrieve $50 million in dormant funds.

Why Are These Dormant Assets Significant?

Dormant assets represent a significant portion of early retail capital in the crypto space. Many users entered the market during earlier bull cycles and later disengaged, leaving their assets untouched according to data. The total value in inactive accounts highlights a trend in crypto adoption where initial interest fades but holdings continue to grow in value according to analysis.

These accounts also reflect the long-term potential of cryptocurrencies. Some assets have gained over 610x their original value, far exceeding Bitcoin's 114x increase over the past 12 years. This underscores the compounding effect of holding early crypto investments without active management.

How Do Dormant Assets Reflect Market Trends?

The prevalence of dormant accounts shows how early crypto adopters often left the market during or after bear cycles. Bithumb's data suggests many users lost interest or forgot about their accounts after initial excitement waned.

This also points to the volatility and complexity of the crypto market. Many early users may not have returned due to uncertainty, regulatory concerns, or lack of knowledge about how to manage their holdings over time.

Despite this, the market has seen growth in other areas. For example, the U.S. crypto ETF market saw $32 billion in inflows in 2025, showing continued institutional and retail interest according to reports.

What Are the Implications for Crypto Exchanges?

Bithumb's campaign raises broader questions about how exchanges manage long-forgotten accounts. Dormant assets represent unrealized liquidity and latent supply that could re-enter the market if recovered. This has implications for trading volume and price movements.

Exchanges must also consider their responsibilities in safeguarding these funds. Clear communication and proactive recovery efforts can enhance user trust and satisfaction. Bithumb's direct notification approach sets a precedent for how other platforms might handle similar issues.

The issue is not limited to Bithumb. With the rise of more crypto products, including altcoin ETFs and onchain derivatives, exchanges face growing obligations to manage customer assets effectively according to industry analysis.

China's M&A market, for instance, has also seen renewed investor confidence in 2026, showing broader trends in how capital is being deployed and managed in 2026 according to market reports.

Bithumb's initiative, therefore, could influence how other platforms approach dormant assets, particularly as regulatory scrutiny and user expectations evolve.