A Decade-Dormant Bitcoin Wallet Awakens, Moving $44 Million in BTC
After more than a decade of inactivity, a long-dormant Bitcoin address has suddenly come to life, transferring approximately 400 BTC, valued at roughly $44 million at current prices, into new wallets. This significant movement has caught the attention of blockchain trackers, marking another instance of early Bitcoin holders re-engaging with their substantial assets.
Early Mining Coins See Light
Reports confirm that the 400 BTC can be traced back to mining activities from nearly 15 years ago, linking these funds to the nascent days of Bitcoin. The wallet’s last recorded activity was in 2013, a period when Bitcoin traded at a modest $135 per unit. Comparing this to today's valuation of around $111,763 per BTC, the holding has experienced an astonishing 830-fold increase in value during its silent period. Blockchain intelligence firm Arkham noted the distribution pattern involved splitting the coins into multiple transactions, primarily in batches of 15 BTC. This method, often referred to as "chopping," allows large sums to be moved without immediately dumping them on an exchange, potentially mitigating market impact. Despite the transparency of blockchain transactions, the identity of the wallet's owner remains unknown.
A Trend Among Early Investors
This recent activation is part of a broader trend of "Satoshi-era" wallets becoming active. Both institutional and private holdings associated with Bitcoin's early investors have shown movement lately. Notable examples include Galaxy Digital's sale of over 80,000 BTC in July, linked to an estate, which was valued at nearly $10 billion. Furthermore, another dormant address with 444 BTC became active in September 2025, moving approximately $50 million. There are also reports of a major holder cycling over $5 billion worth of Bitcoin into Ethereum, subsequently locking up close to $4 billion in ETH.
Mixed Signals in the Current Market
While October traditionally brings favorable conditions for Bitcoin, with historical rallies of 40-45%, current market indicators present a mixed outlook. Holder retention levels have dipped to 80%, and on-chain derivatives flows, alongside significant whale outflows, suggest a weakening demand. Bitcoin's price briefly touched $114,000 today, registering a 2.05% gain, but analysts remain cautious, monitoring potential risk levels. A sustained selloff could drive prices towards $107,000, while renewed buying pressure might push it back up to $119,000. The awakening of such an old, large-volume wallet adds another layer of intrigue to Bitcoin’s volatile, yet captivating, market dynamics.
