Bitcoin News: 61 BTC Returned After 12 Years Frozen in Intersango Account

A British investor, known only as Chris, has recovered all 61 Bitcoin he lost access to more than a decade ago following the collapse of early UK exchange Intersango. The Bitcoin holdings are currently valued at approximately £3.3 million. Through negotiation, without the need for a court decision, Chris established ownership of the coins, which were originally worth £1,500 in 2011 when Bitcoin traded at around £2.94 per coin.

Lawyers at CEL Solicitors compiled records to prove Chris's ownership, which included historical bank statements, emails, exchange records, and documents prepared for US court proceedings. Over 5,500 BTC related to former Intersango users have been traced, but each claimant must prove ownership of specific holdings. Intersango, which attracted thousands of users during Bitcoin's early years, went offline in 2014 after a series of issues.

Chris found his account frozen when he tried to withdraw his coins, which were worth roughly £4,000 at the time. After unsuccessful attempts to contact the company, Chris eventually turned to CEL Solicitors in early 2026 after his wife encouraged him to seek help. Ryan Sweetnam, director of financial litigation at CEL Solicitors, noted that the firm had to prepare documentation for US court proceedings before resolving Chris's claim, which came to fruition within four months of initiation.

Chris has since moved the recovered Bitcoin to an FCA-regulated platform and plans to keep a portion in crypto while converting some to cash. Intersango was not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, leaving Chris with limited options when the exchange ceased operations. The case highlights the challenge former users face in recovering assets when an exchange ceases to operate.