Imagine holding onto something for 14 years and watching its value skyrocket from almost nothing to millions. That’s exactly what happened with a Bitcoin wallet that just moved 2,000 BTC for the first time since 2010. On November 15, this wallet, part of the so-called “Satoshi-era wallets,” transferred nearly $180 million worth of Bitcoin to Coinbase, a U.S.-based crypto exchange.
If you’re wondering, these coins were mined back when Bitcoin was priced under 10 cents. Fast forward to today, and each one is worth more than $91,000 at current prices. Isn’t it fascinating to think that this wallet has held onto its Bitcoin since the early days, when Bitcoin’s mysterious creator, Satoshi Nakamoto, was still active online?
It isn’t the first time we’ve seen activity like this. In September, a wallet dormant for over 15 years moved 250 BTC mined in 2009. Earlier in August, another long-quiet wallet from 2014 transferred 174 BTC, worth over $10 million at the time. And back in May, one of the largest moves occurred when a wallet inactive for 11 years suddenly moved 1,000 BTC, valued at over $60 million.
Movements like these often spark curiosity. Transfers from such old wallets to exchanges can sometimes hint at a potential sale, but the market doesn’t always react strongly. For example, during bull runs, similar activity has been observed without causing major ripples.
Interestingly, millions of bitcoins from the early days are believed to be lost forever. Whether it’s due to forgotten passwords, discarded hardware, or deliberate decisions to hold long-term, these wallets show just how much Bitcoin has evolved. And while short-term market impacts are possible when such large amounts hit exchanges, they also remind us of the journey Bitcoin has taken—from an experiment among a small group of enthusiasts to a global financial phenomenon.
Meanwhile, U.K.’s James Howells is still on a mission to retrieve access to his 7,500 Bitcoin, that are on his old hard drive, stuck in a landfill in Newport, Wales. This stash is currently worth more than $680 million!
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