A British Bitcoin investor has recovered 61 BTC that he lost access to following the collapse of Intersango, an early UK cryptocurrency exchange, in 2014. The recovered coins are now valued at approximately £3.3 million ($5 million), representing a significant gain from his original £1,500 investment made in 2011.
The Original Investment
The investor, identified as Chris, purchased Bitcoin in 2011 after being convinced by a friend that the cryptocurrency could gain value. His £1,500 investment grew to approximately £4,000 before the exchange encountered difficulties. He stored his Bitcoin through Intersango, which became inaccessible in 2014, leaving users unable to withdraw their funds.
For years, Chris attempted to recover his Bitcoin but was unable to access the exchange or his account.
Legal Recovery Effort
Chris turned to CEL Solicitors in 2026 to pursue recovery of his lost funds. The legal team compiled historical records and documentation to establish his ownership of the Bitcoin. Using blockchain tracing, they identified a wallet connected to the failed exchange containing thousands of Bitcoin. After several months of investigation, 61 BTC were successfully returned to Chris in May 2026, ending a 12-year effort to regain access to his holdings.
Current Status and Plans
Chris described the experience of watching Bitcoin's value increase while unable to access his holdings as difficult. With the recovered Bitcoin now valued at around $5 million based on current market conditions, he plans to use a portion of the funds toward purchasing a larger family home while retaining the remainder as a long-term holding.
