Coinbase Restores Access too Kevin Durant’s Bitcoin Account After Years-Long Lockout
NEW YORK – Coinbase Global has restored access to the bitcoin account of NBA star Kevin Durant after the basketball player reported being locked out for years, according to a post by Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong on Friday. The incident sparked renewed criticism of the cryptocurrency exchange’s customer service, with numerous users sharing similar stories of difficulty resolving account access issues.
Durant, a Coinbase investor and promoter through his Boardroom sports and entertainment website, had been unable to access his holdings on the platform for an unspecified period. Armstrong acknowledged the issue publicly on X (formerly Twitter), stating the company had “resolved” Durant’s case and was “focused on getting better at customer support.” The size of durant’s bitcoin holdings was not disclosed.
The restoration comes amid ongoing scrutiny of coinbase’s support services. In may, the company revealed that cybercriminals had bribed overseas customer support agents to leak customer data, demanding a $20 million ransom. In 2021, users voiced frustrations with the rollout of a new live phone support line, describing it as inadequate.
“We’re putting a big focus on getting better at customer support at both ends – improving products so fewer people need support, and providing a faster, higher quality experience when you do,” Armstrong said in his Friday post.
Coinbase told CNBC earlier this week that it offers 24/7 assistance via a hotline and self-help resources. The company did not instantly respond to a CNBC request for further comment on specific measures to improve customer service. The incident underscores the challenges cryptocurrency exchanges face in balancing security with accessibility and responsive customer support as the industry matures.
