In a development that has captured the attention of the cryptocurrency community, a Bitcoin wallet that lay dormant for 14.3 years has reawakened, transferring 10,000 BTC valued at approximately $1.09 billion. The transaction, originating from the so-called "Satoshi era"—a period when Bitcoin's pseudonymous creator, Satoshi Nakamoto, was still active—highlights the immense gains realized by early adopters.
According to blockchain analytics platform Spot On Chain, the coins were originally acquired on April 3, 2011, for an average purchase price of just $0.78 per coin. At the time of the transfer, Bitcoin's value was hovering around $109,100, resulting in a staggering return of over 140,000x on the initial investment. The identity of the wallet's owner remains unknown, leading to speculation that it could be an early miner, a hedge fund, or a high-net-worth individual.
This significant move is part of a broader trend of dormant wallets awakening. A report from Chainalysis notes that about 1.75 million Bitcoin wallets have been inactive for over a decade, collectively holding 1,798,681 Bitcoin worth around $121 billion. Other activations in recent months and years have included two wallets moving a combined $2 billion in BTC and a miner moving 2,000 BTC after 14 years.
The timing of the transfer, as Bitcoin approaches new all-time highs, has led to speculation that the holder may be preparing to realize profits. Such large movements often precede selling activity as investors move funds from cold storage to exchanges. However, some analysts view this distribution by older whales as a positive sign of market maturation. They argue that the dispersal of coins from legacy holders could ultimately strengthen Bitcoin's long-term prospects. Despite the potential for short-term selling pressure, data shows the total BTC held by long-term investors has reached an all-time high of 14.7 million coins, indicating strong conviction in the market.