[Quick Fix] To recover a 2014 Ethereum presale wallet

• Have your JSON and password? – Import instantly via MyEtherWallet (MEW) or MyCrypto. Choose “Keystore File,” upload your JSON file, enter the password, and access your ETH.
• Forgot your password? – Start manually guessing using the rules (10+ characters, at least one uppercase letter, number, and symbol). For faster cracking, use Hashcat with dictionaries or masks.
• Lost JSON file? – Unfortunately, without this file, recovery isn’t possible. Check old emails, backups, or cloud storage (Dropbox, Google Drive).

What Makes Ethereum’s 2014 Presale Wallet Special?

In July-August 2014, the Ethereum Foundation held a groundbreaking presale, raising $18.3 million worth of BTC. Investors received a JSON wallet encrypted with AES-256-CBC, secured by PBKDF2-SHA256 with just 2,000 iterations—a lower security standard by today’s norms, making it easier to recover if you’ve forgotten the password.

JSON Structure:

{
"crypto": {
"cipher": "aes-256-cbc",
"cipherparams": { "iv": "..." },
"ciphertext": "...",
"kdf": "pbkdf2",
"kdfparams": { "c": 2000, "salt": "..." },
"mac": "..."
},
"address": "..."
}

Finding Your Ethereum JSON File

Your JSON wallet file is crucial—it contains your encrypted private key.

• Check old email accounts from around mid-2014. The Ethereum Foundation sent a backup JSON after purchase.
• Search backups on old external drives, USB sticks, or cloud services.
• Verify it: Confirm there’s ETH inside by checking the wallet address (add 0x prefix) on Etherscan.

Cracking the Password – Techniques & Tips

Manual Guessing:

Remember, presale passwords required:

• Minimum 10 characters
• At least one uppercase letter, number, and symbol
• Avoid common or weak passwords

Write out likely passwords from 2014 and test systematically.

Extract Crackable Hash

bash

# Requires ethereum2john.py from JohnTheRipper:
python ethereum2john.py presale_wallet.json > eth_hash.txt
    

Create a password list
 
Run the attack
 

Issues Blocking Wallet Access

Forgotten or Misplaced Password:

This is the number one problem. Without it, you must guess or brute force using the rules above.

Lost JSON Wallet File:

If you’ve lost this file, recovery sadly becomes impossible. Thoroughly recheck old emails or backups.

Software Bugs or Foreign Characters:

Software glitches might prevent correct decryption. Professional help often needed here.

Hard Drive Corruption:

Damaged hardware means you’ll likely need specialist data recovery services.

Phishing or Scams:

Watch out for fake recovery services. Use only verified crypto recovery specialists.

Eth Presale Security Tips During Recovery:

• Verify integrity of all downloaded recovery tools via checksums.
• Immediately move recovered ETH to a secure wallet (hardware wallets like Ledger or Trezor recommended).

Ethereum Presale Wallet FAQs:

• Can I recover without the password? Yes, but you need the JSON file. Password recovery is possible through professional services or brute forcing.
• What if I lost my JSON file? Unfortunately, recovery becomes impossible without it.
• Are third-party recovery tools safe? Not always. Stick to reputable, well-reviewed services.

When to Hire Recovery Services

Consider expert crypto wallet recovery help if:

• Your forgot password
• Your JSON file is corrupted or partially available.
• You encountered software glitches or keyboard layout issues.