Lost your crypto password or seed phrase? Here’s what actually works in 2025

Key Points

1. Between 2.3 million and 3.7 million Bitcoin are permanently lost as of early 2025, with over $9.3 billion lost in 2024 alone, primarily affecting people over 60.

2. Recovery methods vary depending on the situation: losing a password but having a seed phrase, losing both password and seed phrase, or losing access to a non-custodial wallet.

3. For lost passwords with a seed phrase, users can restore access by importing the wallet using the seed phrase and setting a new password.

4. For lost seed phrases in non-custodial wallets, users can search for backups in files, emails, or cloud drives, or use data recovery tools cautiously.

5. Advanced recovery options include blockchain forensics and legal assistance for stolen crypto, but users should be wary of scams and avoid services guaranteeing 100% success rates.