Investor Recovers £3.3M in Bitcoin After Exchange Collapse

A British investor, known only as Chris, has successfully recovered 61 Bitcoin that he lost access to more than 12 years ago. The loss occurred following the collapse of the early UK exchange Intersango. These recovered holdings are now valued at approximately £3.3 million.

Chris initially invested £1,500 in Bitcoin back in 2011, purchasing through Britcoin, which later became Intersango. After the exchange encountered trouble in late 2012 and its website went offline by early 2014, Chris found his account frozen and his approximately £4,000 worth of coins inaccessible. He eventually treated the holdings as lost.

Motivated by his wife, Chris contacted CEL Solicitors in January 2026 to pursue recovery. The firm meticulously assembled historical bank statements, emails, and exchange records to establish his ownership. The claim was ultimately settled through negotiation on May 28, 2026, about four months after instructions were given, without requiring a courtroom decision.

CEL Solicitors reported that over 5,500 BTC connected to former Intersango users have been traced, though each claimant must prove their specific holdings. Chris has since transferred his recovered assets to an FCA-regulated platform, planning to diversify his holdings between cryptocurrency and cash.