Due to cryptographic detective work, two researchers have successfully recovered a staggering $2.96 million in bitcoin from a long-abandoned wallet, dating back to 2013. The wallet, containing 43.6 BTC, had been locked away for nearly a decade, its password lost to the sands of time. The researchers, Joe Grand and Bruno, employed their expertise in hardware hacking and software analysis to crack the code, unlocking the wallet and restoring access to the valuable cryptocurrency.

The story begins with an anonymous individual, known only as Michael, who created a cryptocurrency wallet in 2013. At the time, Michael used the password generator RoboForm to create a unique 20-character password, which he stored in an encrypted file. However, when the file became corrupted, Michael was left without access to his wallet, and the password was lost forever. Or so it seemed.

Fast-forward to 2022, when Michael reached out to Joe Grand, a renowned hardware hacker, for assistance. Grand, who had previously recovered lost bitcoin from a Trezor wallet, enlisted the help of his friend Bruno, a skilled software analyst. Together, they set out to crack the code and recover the lost password.

Their investigation led them to a long-fixed vulnerability in RoboForm's password generator, which had been used to create the wallet's password. The generator, it turned out, was not as random as it claimed to be. Instead, it linked the password to the specific date and time on the user's computer when the password was created. This vulnerability, fixed in 2015, had a profound impact on passwords created before then.

Armed with this knowledge, the researchers set out to test numerous passwords, using specific time parameters to narrow down the possibilities. After weeks of tireless effort, they finally stumbled upon the correct password, which had been created on May 15, 2013. With the password in hand, Michael was once again able to access his wallet, containing 43.6 BTC, valued at nearly $3 million.

As a token of gratitude, Michael rewarded Grand and Bruno with a portion of his bitcoin. He then sold off a small lot, leaving him with 30 BTC, worth around $2 million. In a surprising twist, Michael expressed his gratitude for losing access to his wallet, as it allowed his bitcoin to appreciate in value over time. He plans to hold onto his remaining bitcoin until a single token reaches $100,000 in value.

As of May 28, bitcoin traded at $67,840, down 3.26% in the past day, according to The Block Prices. The remarkable recovery of Michael's lost bitcoin serves as a testament to the power of cryptographic analysis and the importance of secure password management. In the world of cryptocurrency, even the most forgotten wallets can hold surprises, and the right expertise can unlock even the most stubborn secrets.