October DealsAmazon USOctober deal check: compare before you payAmazon US: current deals, useful picks and tech finds.Check DealsPC HealthRecommendedCrashes, freezes, slowdowns? Check your PC nowSpot repairable issues before they interrupt work.Check PCOctober DealsAmazon USDeal season is back - check today's better picksAmazon US: current deals, useful picks and tech finds.See Picks×
Skip to content
VGSources
Blog

Twitch Streamer Sick_Nerd Received 20 Bitcoin Worth More Than $70,000 in 2019

Sick_Nerd reportedly received 20 Bitcoin during a 2019 Old School RuneScape stream. Contemporary reports valued the donation above $70,000, but did not verify the donor’s identity or intent.
Length2 min Posted Quest giverVGSources Team
Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

On January 11, 2019, Twitch streamer Sick_Nerd reportedly received 20 BTC while playing Old School RuneScape. Contemporary reports valued the Bitcoin at more than $70,000, but they differ slightly on the dollar estimate. The reports did not establish who controlled the donor account or whether the transfer was ultimately legitimate.

What happened during Sick_Nerd’s livestream?

Sick_Nerd was streaming Old School RuneScape on Twitch on January 11, 2019, when the large Bitcoin donation was reported. CryptoSlate described the donor as anonymous, while TechJuice identified the account name as “lightpuma.” Neither report verified the account owner’s real-world identity.

CryptoSlate reproduced a message attributed to Sick Nerd at the time: “Thank you to my mysteriously benefactor whoever you are, genuinely a life changing amount of money that I or nobody deserves but look what happened.” TechJuice reported that the streamer initially thought the donation was a prank before expressing gratitude.

How much was the 20 BTC worth?

The reported total was 20 BTC. The dollar and euro values below are contemporaneous estimates from January 2019, not the present value of those coins.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
#1 Best Overall
Bitkey Bitcoin Hardware Wallet, No Screen - Self-Custody, No Seed Phrase
  • BITCOIN EXCLUSIVE, PHONE VERIFICATION: Bitkey is designed from the ground up exclusively for bitcoin — a dedicated hardware wallet for secure bitcoin storage. Approve transactions with a tap using your phone and NFC. No device screen is required.
  • SELF-CUSTODY, NO EXCHANGE OR CUSTODIAN REQUIRED: You hold two of the three keys in the Bitkey system – one on your phone and one on your Bitkey device. The third is stored on Bitkey’s server and cannot move your bitcoin on its own.
  • NO SEED PHRASE: Set up and use Bitkey without creating or storing a seed phrase.
  • 2-of-3 MULTISIG: Three keys are stored separately across your phone, Bitkey device, and Bitkey’s server. Any two keys are required to move your bitcoin.
  • BUILT-IN RECOVERY: Encrypted backup and recovery tools can help you regain access if you lose your phone or Bitkey device. You can also designate a Recovery Contact.
Report Reported BTC total Historical valuation
CryptoSlate 20 BTC More than $70,000, using an approximate price of $3,700 per BTC
TechJuice 20 BTC €61,687.42 ($70,780.20)

The difference between the estimates does not indicate different reported donation totals; both publications describe 20 BTC. These were secondary reports, not independently verified transaction records.

Was the donation real, and who sent it?

BeInCrypto reported that the 20 BTC arrived in five installments of four BTC each over less than two and a half hours. That account describes the reported transaction pattern, but does not by itself establish the sender’s identity, intent, or whether Sick_Nerd ultimately kept or used the funds.

Rank #2
Trezor Safe 3 Crypto Hardware Wallet with Secure Element
  • Unparalleled Security: Protect your assets NDA-free EAL 6+ Secure Element, offering robust defense and complete transparency
  • Simple & Secure Interface: Manage your digital assets easily with a clear OLED screen for secure on-device confirmations
  • Supports 1000s of Coins & Tokens: Securely handle thousands of assets, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and more, all in one wallet
  • Effortless Asset Management: Monitor and transact seamlessly with Trezor Suite, our intuitive desktop and mobile app
  • Enhanced Backup Solution: Rest assured with Multi-share Backup, eliminating single points of failure for secure cold wallet recovery

BeInCrypto raised the possibility of fraud but did not conclude that the donation was fraudulent. Its comparison was an unrelated 2016 incident in which a different donor attempted to reverse PayPal donations; the article said those refund attempts were refused. BeInCrypto also said there was too little information to determine whether “lightpuma” acted legitimately. That earlier PayPal case is not evidence that this Bitcoin transfer was a scam.

Quick Recap

Bestseller No. 1
Bitkey Bitcoin Hardware Wallet, No Screen - Self-Custody, No Seed Phrase
Bitkey Bitcoin Hardware Wallet, No Screen - Self-Custody, No Seed Phrase
NO SEED PHRASE: Set up and use Bitkey without creating or storing a seed phrase.
SaleBestseller No. 5
Ledger Nano X - Classic Crypto Wallet with Bluetooth
Ledger Nano X - Classic Crypto Wallet with Bluetooth
Genuine Check: confirm your signer is authentic during setup with the Ledger Wallet app.
$79.00
Best Value
Sale
Ledger Nano X - Classic Crypto Wallet with Bluetooth
  • Effortlessly build your crypto portfolio via the all in one Ledger Wallet app: buy, sell, send, receive, swap, stake and more across popular blockchains. 15,000+ coins & tokens in a single dashboard. Keep a close eye on the market. Compare service providers. Track performance. Get timely alerts. Build your portfolio with confidence.
  • Effortlessly build your crypto portfolio via the all in one Ledger Wallet app: buy, sell, send, receive, swap, stake and more across popular blockchains. 15,000+ coins & tokens in a single dashboard. Keep a close eye on the market. Compare service providers. Track performance. Get timely alerts. Build your portfolio with confidence.
  • Enjoy Bluetooth connectivity, iOS access, and hours of battery use with this mobile-first, secure backup signer. Freedom you can depend on.
  • Genuine Check: confirm your signer is authentic during setup with the Ledger Wallet app.
  • Protect your signer: keep it in mint condition at all times with a bespoke Pod or Case to avoid scratches and everyday wear and tear.
Rank #4
Trezor Safe 7 Crypto Hardware Wallet with Bluetooth for Android/iOS/Desktop
  • Dual-chip architecture for maximum protection: The next-gen, fully auditable TROPIC01 chip works alongside a certified EAL6+ Secure Element—completely NDA-free—to deliver radically transparent, industry-leading defense against physical attacks.
  • Quantum-ready security: Get protection against future threats with the first-ever hardware wallet designed with quantum-ready architecture.
  • See every detail with confidence: Our largest high-resolution color touchscreen makes it easy to navigate your assets, review transactions and manage your coins with clarity.
  • Wireless freedom with encrypted Bluetooth control: Manage, buy, swap and stake securely using Trezor Suite on desktop or mobile. Qi2-compatible wireless charging keeps your Trezor powered up. No cables required—security meets convenience.
  • Works seamlessly with Android, iOS and desktop: Connect wirelessly or via USB-C to your phone or computer. Manage your crypto anywhere with our companion Trezor Suite app.
Rank #3
Trezor Safe 3 Crypto Hardware Wallet with Secure Element
  • Unparalleled Security: Protect your assets with EAL 6+ Secure Element, offering robust defense and complete transparency
  • Simple & Secure Interface: Manage your digital assets easily with a clear OLED screen for secure on-device confirmations
  • Supports 1000s of Coins & Tokens: Securely handle thousands of assets, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and more, all in one wallet
  • Effortless Asset Management: Monitor and transact seamlessly with Trezor Suite, our intuitive desktop and mobile app
  • Enhanced Backup Solution: Multi-share Backup eliminates single points of failure for secure cold wallet recovery
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

What the reports establish—and what they do not

  • Reported: Sick_Nerd received 20 BTC during a January 11, 2019 Twitch stream, with contemporary estimates putting the value above $70,000.
  • Reported but unverified: TechJuice named the donor account “lightpuma”; the account holder’s real identity was not established.
  • Unresolved: The reviewed coverage did not establish whether the donation was ultimately legitimate or what happened to the coins afterward.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

More quests from Patch Notes

  1. How To Create Custom Stickers & Shoutouts In Monster Hunter WildsMonster Hunter WildsBlog20min
  2. How to Get XL Gogoat in Pokemon Legends Z-A (An Extra-Large Gogoat)Pokemon Legends Z-ABlog20min
  3. How to Get Rotting Lightbringer in Diablo 4Diablo 4Blog17min
Recommended PC Tool
Recommended PC Tool
PC Slower Than It Used to Be?Free scan - under a minute
Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?Free driver scan

Two free Windows tools

One Free Minute Could Fix That PC

Before you go - each of these free tools takes about a minute and tackles what quietly slows a Windows PC down.

Special offer. View Outbyte info, uninstall instructions, EULA, and Privacy Policy.