What happened?
Coinbase exec Conor Grogan revealed that $200,000 in BNB donated to Malta’s terminal cancer fund in 2018 was never withdrawn and remains untouched. Because BNB has appreciated massively since then, that dormant donation is now worth about $39 million. He also flagged roughly $38 million in disaster-relief BNB for West Japan sitting in a dormant wallet.
Who does this affect?
The most immediate affected parties are terminal cancer patients in Malta and disaster victims in West Japan who could benefit from the funds. Maltese citizens and their government are on notice because the funds are technically accessible but haven’t been claimed, and past legal disputes over the donations have added complexity. Binance, its charity arms, and donors face reputational and operational scrutiny over why large charitable sums remain idle.
Why does this matter?
Dormant crypto that balloons in value shows how volatility can turn small pledges into multimillion-dollar pots, creating both opportunity and complications. If those wallets are moved or liquidated, it could impact BNB supply and market sentiment, potentially creating short-term selling pressure or PR-driven price swings. The episode also raises regulatory and trust issues for exchanges and charitable programs, which can affect investor confidence and the broader crypto market environment.