The lost Bitcoins

Discussion in 'Digital Currencies' started by TreasureHunter, Dec 1, 2017.

  1. TreasureHunter

    TreasureHunter Well-Known Member

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    I can't help thinking of all the lost/stolen/seized Bitcoins - from Mt.Gox, SilkRoad...

    With the collapse of Mt.Gox 850,000 Bitcoins were lost, with the closure of SilkRoad another 30,000. So, there is a phenomenon of reduction of the number of Bitcoins, obviously...

    Which makes me wonder: what percentage of Bitcoins could have gotten lost over time? 1 %, 5 %? 7 %?

    Any estimates?
     
    TreasureHunter, Dec 1, 2017
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  2. Soprano16

    Soprano16 Well-Known Member Silver Stacker

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    I read something recently that suggested somewhere in the vicinity of 3-4 million BTC coins are lost, and will likely never be recovered

    Besides the Gox/Silk drama, the rest are from earlier holders, people who got some in the early years and have since misplaced them
     
    Soprano16, Dec 1, 2017
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  3. dozerz

    dozerz Well-Known Member Silver Stacker

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    dozerz, Dec 1, 2017
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  4. TreasureHunter

    TreasureHunter Well-Known Member

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    ^
    According to that article, 2-3 million BTC are likely to get lost. No problem, I suppose the market will compensate for them: people will seek the fractions, if there are no more intact Bitcoins :)

    It's a huge loss, nevertheless...
     
    TreasureHunter, Dec 2, 2017
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