Advertise
- Rizwan AnsariRizwan Ansari
- Reviewed by:
Sohrab KhawasSohrab is a passionate cryptocurrency news writer with over five years of experience covering the industry. He keeps a keen interest in blockchain technology and its potential to revolutionize finance. Whether he's trading or writing, Sohrab always keeps his finger on the pulse of the crypto world, using his expertise to deliver informative and engaging articles that educate and inspire. When he's not analyzing the markets, Sohrab indulges in his hobbies of graphic design, minimal design or listening to his favorite hip-hop tunes.
- Jul 12, 2025 07:02 UTC
-
BitcoinTalk User Turns $500 to $10M After Unlocking 2012 Bitcoin Bar
BitcoinTalk forum user JohnGalt turned a forgotten $500 Casascius gold bar into $10 million treasure.
He bought 100 BTC bar in 2012, when Bitcoin’s price was around five dollars.
Despite of all, an exposed private key cost JohnGalt $40,000 in Bitcoin Cash stolen within nine minutes.
A BitcoinTalk user just turned a $500 Casascius Bitcoin bar from 2012 into a $10 million fortune. After holding the 100 BTC bar for over a decade, he finally cracked it open, only to lose $40K in Bitcoin Cash within minutes due to a leaked private key.
Here’s what happened behind this rare piece of Bitcoin history.
100 BTC Bar Becomes a Jackpot
Back in 2012, when Bitcoin was still a niche idea traded mostly among tech enthusiasts, JohnGalt got his hands on a Casascius gold bar loaded with 100 BTC. At the time, Bitcoin’s price hovered around $5, so he paid about $500 for it worth almost nothing to most people back then.
But for JohnGalt, it felt special to hold Bitcoin in physical form.
Over the years, he admitted he was tempted many times to sell it. He even tried to auction it a few times but found it hard to part with something so unique. The problem? Not many people trusted buying a physical Bitcoin bar for millions when you could just buy Bitcoin directly.
$10 Million BTC Bar
Fast forward to now, Bitcoin has smashed through $118,000, turning JohnGalt’s 100 BTC into about $10 million. He explained that holding something worth eight figures felt too risky, so he finally decided to crack open the bar and claim his coins.
So, he made the tough call: break open the bar, reveal the private key, and move those 100 BTC into his wallet.
That simple action turned a collector’s item back into pure Bitcoin, instantly worth about $10 million.
Exposed Private Key Costs Him $40K
But there was a twist. Because Bitcoin and Bitcoin Cash share the same private key system, someone with sharp eyes spotted JohnGalt’s partially exposed private key in a photo he posted online.
Within nine minutes, they used it to drain about $40,000 worth of Bitcoin Cash before JohnGalt could claim it himself.
Never Miss a Beat in the Crypto World!
Stay ahead with breaking news, expert analysis, and real-time updates on the latest trends in Bitcoin, altcoins, DeFi, NFTs, and more.
FAQs
BitcoinTalk is one of the oldest and most prominent online forums dedicated to Bitcoin, cryptocurrencies, and blockchain technology. Founded by Satoshi Nakamoto in 2009, it serves as a central hub for discussions, development updates, and community engagement in the crypto space.
A Casascius Bitcoin bar is a physical collectible that contains a specific amount of Bitcoin (e.g., 100 BTC) with its private key hidden under a tamper-evident hologram, created in the early days of Bitcoin.
This story highlights the immense long-term value appreciation of Bitcoin, the risks associated with physical crypto storage, and the critical importance of keeping private keys absolutely secure and private.
Yes 
No 
