In a historic on-chain event, eight Bitcoin wallets containing over 80,000 BTC — valued at more than $8.6 billion — were suddenly activated after more than 14 years of dormancy, marking the largest ever movement of Bitcoin mined during the “Satoshi era.”
What Is the Satoshi Era and Why Does It Matter?
The Satoshi era refers to the period between 2009 and 2011, when Bitcoin’s pseudonymous creator, Satoshi Nakamoto, was still active online. Bitcoins mined or transacted during this time are among the rarest and most closely watched assets in the crypto ecosystem.
These early coins are often considered part of Bitcoin’s “holy grail,” rarely moved and believed to be in the hands of early adopters or Satoshi-linked entities.
Two Key Wallets Move $2.2 Billion After 14 Years
On July 5, 2025, two wallets that each received 10,000 BTC on April 3, 2011 — when Bitcoin was worth just $0.78 — moved their holdings to modern addresses. That same 10,000 BTC is now valued at over $1.1 billion per wallet, representing a gain of 13.9 million percent.
The original source of these coins was wallet 1HqXB…gDwcK, which dispersed over 23,000 BTC to three wallets in 2011.
One of those wallets had previously moved its coins, but the two remaining ones had remained inactive until this latest transaction.
Six More Wallets Follow: Over $8.6 Billion in Total Moved
On-chain analysis platform Arkham Intelligence detected that six additional wallets, all linked to the same unidentified entity, also moved over 10,000 BTC each, further amplifying speculation.
All funds were transferred to new wallets using SegWit, a modern, low-fee address format. No further movement of the BTC has occurred as of July 5.
No individual or institution has claimed responsibility for the transfers, and the ownership remains unknown.
What Does This Mean for Bitcoin?
Such large movements of dormant BTC often draw market attention due to fears of massive sell-offs. However, none of the moved Bitcoin has been sent to exchanges, indicating no immediate selling intent.
These transfers may signal wallet management, inheritance planning, or cold storage migration, rather than liquidation.
Still, the activation of Satoshi-era wallets is a rare event that raises both curiosity and caution within the crypto market.
Conclusion
With over $8 billion worth of Bitcoin from the earliest days of the network suddenly on the move, the market is watching closely. While no bearish pressure has emerged yet, this event reminds traders that Bitcoin’s oldest whales still exist—and they’re watching, too.
Disclaimer
This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or legal advice. Cryptocurrency trading involves risk and may result in financial loss.