In a stunning move that shocked the crypto world, 80,000 Bitcoin (BTC) mined during the “Satoshi era” — the earliest years of Bitcoin’s history — were transferred on Friday, July 5, 2025. This marks the largest such movement of old coins on record, totaling over $8.6 billion at current market prices.
The term Satoshi era refers to the period between 2009 and 2011, when Bitcoin’s anonymous creator, Satoshi Nakamoto, was still active online. Coins mined during this time are considered extremely rare and valuable—not just for their worth, but because of their historic significance.
Most wallets from this era have remained untouched for over a decade. That’s why any movement from these addresses draws immediate attention—and sometimes fear—from traders, who see it as a possible signal of big market changes.
According to CoinDesk and on-chain data shared by Arkham Intelligence, a total of eight wallets holding Satoshi-era BTC were involved in the transfer. Each wallet held 10,000 BTC, adding up to 80,000 BTC in total—worth more than $8.6 billion at today’s prices.
These coins were first received on April 3, 2011, when Bitcoin was trading for just $0.78. That means each wallet has grown in value by over 13.9 million percent.
The two most prominent wallets involved were:
12tLs…xj2me
1KbrS…AWJYm
They had been inactive since 2011, but now their BTC has been moved to fresh, modern wallets using updated, low-fee formats.
Despite widespread attention, no individual or company has claimed responsibility for the move. Arkham’s analysis suggests that all eight wallets are controlled by a single entity, but the identity of that entity remains unknown.
The BTC has not been moved beyond the new addresses. This suggests that the transfer may be part of a security update, custodial reshuffle, or cold storage refresh—rather than an immediate intention to sell.
Movements of Satoshi-era coins are extremely rare. Because these early wallets are often linked to original miners or long-time holders, their actions are seen as powerful market signals.
If the coins were to be sold on exchanges, it could increase supply dramatically and potentially trigger a drop in BTC price. However, since the coins were only moved to new wallets and not liquidated, many believe this was likely a precautionary transfer—not a dump.
Still, analysts are keeping a close eye on these addresses for any further activity.
Despite the movement of these massive funds, Bitcoin has held above the $107,000 mark. This shows continued strength, even with traders on edge.
Some market experts believe the impact will be minimal, especially if the coins stay off exchanges. Others think the move could lead to short-term volatility as investors speculate on the owner’s intentions.
However, long-term Bitcoin price predictions for 2025 remain optimistic. Many analysts expect BTC to reach $120,000 or more, driven by:
Institutional ETF demand
Strong network security
Continued mainstream adoption
Here’s what makes this moment historic:
Largest Satoshi-era movement ever recorded
Over 14 years of dormancy broken
Value rose from $780 in 2011 to $8.6B today
Moves occurred in a single day by what appears to be one entity
No follow-up sales or exchange transfers (so far)
For now, the market seems to be handling the event calmly. Bitcoin traders, especially those watching the liquidity heatmaps, are more curious than panicked.
Until these BTC move again—or are sold—there’s no reason to assume the whale behind the wallets is preparing to exit. Most signs suggest responsible handling, possibly by a long-term holder upgrading their storage security.
But as always in crypto, things can change fast. Traders would be wise to keep their eyes on the blockchain this weekend.
A finance graduate, Maheen Hernandez has been drawn to cryptocurrencies ever since Bitcoin first emerged in 2009. Nearly a decade later, Maheen is actively working to spread awareness about cryptocurrencies as well as their impact on the traditional currencies. Appreciate the work? Send a tip to: 0x75395Ea9a42d2742E8d0C798068DeF3590C5Faa5
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