Bitcoin Whale Awakens from 14-Year Slumber, Unlocks $3.3 Million in Circulation

A significant amount of Bitcoin (50 BTC, valued at $3.3 million) that had remained dormant for nearly 14 years has been activated, potentially signaling the beginning of trading. The Bitcoin, mined in 2010, recently saw two transactions, with 17 BTC ($1.1 million) being sent to a wallet associated with an exchange, while 33 BTC ($2.2 million) was moved to a new wallet with no prior activity. It remains unclear whether this movement represents the miner consolidating their funds or cashing out.

Bitcoin Whale Stirs After 14 Years, Unleashing $3.3 Million Back into Circulation

In a seismic financial event reminiscent of a slumbering giant awakening, 50 bitcoins ($3.3 million) that had lain dormant for nearly 14 years have been stirred from their slumber, signaling the potential start of a significant trading spree. The massive movement is the latest in a series of ancient Bitcoin stashes being reactivated, suggesting a renewed interest in these digital assets.

The Bitcoin in question was mined in April 2010, when the mining reward for each block was a hefty 50 BTC – a far cry from the current reward of just over 6 BTC. The wallet containing these bitcoins has witnessed minimal activity over the years, receiving only a negligible amount in 2020.

However, the calm was shattered around 3 a.m. ET today, when two separate transactions transferred 17 BTC ($1.1 million) and 33 BTC ($2.2 million) out of the wallet. The first tranche of 17 BTC was sent to a wallet that regularly withdraws funds after receiving them. This suggests the involvement of an exchange, as funds were subsequently merged with other wallets labeled as Coinbase on the Arkham blockchain intelligence platform and transferred to another address.

The movement of 33 BTC, on the other hand, went to a new wallet with no prior activity. It's possible that these bitcoins remain under the control of the original miner, but have been transferred to a new address. This is because Bitcoin blockchain transactions require all funds in a wallet to be moved, with any remaining balance returned to the same location. Often, this is done under a new address to obfuscate the actual movement of funds.

This Bitcoin awakening is the latest in a string of recent reactivations of old stashes. On March 23, the fifth richest Bitcoin address at the time moved bitcoins worth $6 billion to three new addresses. Just a week later, a Bitcoin wallet that had been inactive for almost 12 years transferred all of its 500 BTC – then worth just under $35 million – to several new addresses.

These large-scale movements suggest a growing interest in Bitcoin trading, as investors seek to capitalize on its potential value appreciation. While the reasons for the reactivations remain unknown, they serve as a reminder of the volatility and potential upside of this enigmatic digital asset.