The 2017 crypto bull run brought millions of new investors into Bitcoin, Ethereum, and altcoins. Many of those investors bought small amounts, stored them in wallets they barely understood, and then — when prices crashed in 2018 — forgot about them entirely. Years later, some of those wallets are now worth significant sums.
If you bought crypto between 2016 and 2019 and aren't sure where it ended up, this guide walks you through a systematic search process.
Step 1: Search Your Emails for Exchange Accounts
Most people's crypto journey in 2017 started with an exchange. Search your email inbox for:
- "Coinbase", "Binance", "Kraken", "Bittrex", "Poloniex", "Bitfinex", "LocalBitcoins"
- "welcome", "account created", "deposit confirmed"
- "bitcoin", "ethereum", "cryptocurrency", "crypto"
- 2FA codes or security alerts from exchange domains
Check Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, and any old email addresses you may have used. Also check your spam folder — exchange emails were frequently filtered.
Step 2: Check Old Exchange Accounts
If you find evidence of an exchange account, try to log in. Many exchanges from 2017 are still operating. Use your old email and try to reset the password if needed.
Some popular 2017 exchanges are no longer operating — Bittrex, Cryptopia, QuadrigaCX, and others have since closed or gone bankrupt. If your crypto was on one of these, you may have a bankruptcy claim. See our guides on specific exchange claims.
Step 3: Search for Wallet Software and Browser Extensions
In 2017, common wallet options included desktop apps and browser extensions. Check:
- Old computers — search for folders named "Bitcoin", "Ethereum", "wallet.dat", "keystore" or app data from Exodus, Electrum, MyEtherWallet, Mist, or Jaxx
- Browser extensions — check Chrome or Firefox extension history for MetaMask (launched 2016), Jaxx Liberty, or similar
- Old phones — check app stores for wallet apps you may have installed. Android: check Google Play purchase history. iOS: check App Store purchase history
Step 4: Search for Seed Phrases and Private Keys
In 2017, many people wrote down their seed phrases or private keys on paper, in notes apps, or in password managers. Search:
- 1Physical paper — check drawers, safes, notebooks, folders from 2016–2018
- 2Notes apps — Apple Notes, Google Keep, OneNote, Evernote. Search "seed", "phrase", "private key", "backup"
- 3Password managers — LastPass, 1Password, Bitwarden. Search for crypto-related entries
- 4Photos — many people photographed their seed phrases. Search your camera roll from 2016–2018 for blurry photos of handwritten words or QR codes
- 5Cloud backups — Google Drive, Dropbox, iCloud. Search for files containing "seed", "mnemonic", "wallet"
Step 5: Check Hardware Wallets
Ledger and Trezor launched consumer products around 2016–2017. If you bought one, it may still contain your crypto. Check old storage boxes, desk drawers, and tech accessories bags. If you find a hardware wallet but can't remember the PIN, you can restore the wallet using your seed phrase on a new device.
Step 6: Look for Bitcoin Address Records
If you ever received Bitcoin to an address you own, that transaction is permanently recorded on the blockchain. If you can find any old Bitcoin address — in an email, a screenshot, or a text — you can look it up on a block explorer like blockchain.com to see the current balance. The funds are still there, even if you've lost access to the wallet.
Key insight: Crypto never disappears from the blockchain. If your old wallet held Bitcoin in 2017 and you haven't moved it, it's still there. The challenge is regaining access — which requires either the private key, the seed phrase, or the wallet file.
Lost Your Crypto Wallet?
Read our full guide on crypto wallet recovery options, tools, and professional services.
Crypto Wallet Recovery Guide →