A “Satoshi-era” Bitcoin wallet, containing $442 million worth of BTC, has reactivated, moving funds for the first time in 14 years.
The wallet’s unknown owner mined most of its holdings—around 4,000 BTC—between April and June 2009, just months after the Bitcoin network launched, Whale Alert reported on X Thursday.
On-chain analytics from Nansen show the whale transferred 150 BTC, valued at over $16 million, in a single transaction on Thursday.
Data from Bitcoin explorer Mempool.space suggests the wallet may have originally held 7,850 BTC and was last active in June 2011, when it consolidated 4,000 BTC into a single address.
Bitcoin is trading around $110,604 on Friday, valuing the whale’s current stash at over $442 million. Back in 2010, when CoinMarketCap began tracking Bitcoin prices in July, the same amount of BTC was worth just $194.
Whale may have held even more BTC
Blockchain analyst Emmett Gallic noted on X that the whale previously controlled 8,000 BTC across multiple wallets and has been gradually liquidating some of its holdings over the years from another address.
“Satoshi-era” whales on the move
“A whale that once held 8,000 BTC activated a new wallet from the Satoshi era of Bitcoin. He has been steadily selling down to 3,850 BTC after moving 150 BTC today. God-level DCA strat,” blockchain analyst Emmett Gallic tweeted.
Data from Mempool.space shows the whale address has received a total of 7,850 BTC, with a current balance of 3,850 BTC following the recent 150 BTC transfer.
OG whales making moves
Another Satoshi-era whale holding 80,201 BTC began transferring funds to Galaxy Digital in July after 14 years of dormancy, completing a final transfer on July 16.
Crypto analyst Willy Woo noted in June that whales holding more than 10,000 BTC have been gradually selling since 2017, in response to heightened institutional interest.
Traders often view the reactivation of old whale wallets as a potential signal that early holders are preparing to sell. However, analysts told Cointelegraph in August that sales by OG Bitcoiners are not necessarily a cause for concern, as new buyers entering the market indicate healthy growth and maturation.
