20,000x in Bitcoin in 13 years: a collectible coin generated $10 million in profits

In 2012, a Bitcointalk user with the nickname JohnGalt bought a physical bitcoin coin (the so-called Casascius coin) with a private key of 100 BTC, for just $500.

In May 2025, he finally activated the key and withdrew the bitcoins worth approximately $10 million.

For many years he didn't dare to open the coin due to its value as a collectible item, but the rise in the price of BTC above $100,000 led him to change his mind.