Bitcoin’s price surge to a new all-time high has triggered fresh activity among early holders. Data shows several long-dormant Bitcoin wallets — untouched for years — have suddenly moved large amounts of BTC, possibly signaling profit-taking or strategic repositioning by early investors.
On October 6, 2025, Bitcoin reached a record high of $126,272 per coin on Bitstamp, marking a new milestone in its 16-year history. By the following day, BTC prices slightly corrected, dropping to around $120,648 before stabilizing in the $121,500–$122,500 range.
Despite the minor pullback, the new peak underscored renewed investor optimism, driven by institutional inflows, ETF growth, and broader market liquidity. But the rally also appears to have awakened a segment of the Bitcoin supply that had remained inactive for years.
Blockchain data from btcparser.com revealed that between October 6 and 7, 342.77 BTC — now worth about $41.8 million — were transferred from wallets that had been inactive since between 2013 and 2017.
The movement of these old coins coincided with Bitcoin’s record-breaking rally, sparking speculation that some long-term holders, often called “OGs,” may be taking advantage of the high prices to rebalance or liquidate parts of their portfolios.
Most of the recently activated coins originated from 2013-era wallets, which collectively moved 122.62 BTC over the past two days. One of these transactions involved a single transfer of approximately 100 BTC, while another older wallet sent out the remaining amount.
On October 7, a 2014 wallet also moved 100 BTC, valued at around $12.2 million, to a deposit address linked to Kraken, a popular cryptocurrency exchange. In addition, 11 separate wallets from 2016 were reactivated for the first time since their original accumulation, transferring coins to new addresses.
Two additional wallets created in 2017 moved a combined 20.49 BTC, rounding out the total of 342.77 BTC moved during the recent surge.
Movements from long-dormant wallets are closely monitored by analysts, as they often provide insights into the behavior of early adopters and long-term holders. Historically, such activity has preceded periods of increased volatility, as these older coins represent early mining rewards or low-cost accumulations from Bitcoin’s early years.
When long-held coins move, it may suggest profit-taking, portfolio restructuring, or preparation for transfer to newer wallet systems with improved security. However, not all wallet movements indicate selling — some may simply involve holders consolidating or reorganizing their funds.
Analysts note that the total amount moved remains relatively small compared to Bitcoin’s daily trading volume, suggesting limited impact on market stability. Still, the timing — immediately after BTC reached a record high — has attracted attention from traders watching for potential trend reversals.
The awakening of decade-old wallets often coincides with major milestones in Bitcoin’s price history. The fact that coins from 2013 to 2017 — representing some of Bitcoin’s earliest adopters — are moving now indicates that early holders may be reassessing their exposure after the recent price rally.
These investors acquired Bitcoin when prices were often below $1,000 per coin, meaning even small movements represent substantial unrealized gains. Moving coins to exchange-linked wallets like Kraken could be a sign that some plan to sell or diversify into other assets.
However, others may simply be upgrading their wallet infrastructure for better security or preparing for future transfers to family offices or custodial services, given the asset’s significant appreciation in value.
Even with the reactivation of dormant wallets, market sentiment for Bitcoin remains largely positive. Institutional demand, limited exchange supply, and increased ETF activity continue to support the price above $120,000.
While short-term corrections are normal after strong rallies, on-chain data continues to show declining exchange balances and growing accumulation by long-term holders — both signs of confidence in Bitcoin’s long-term potential.
As Bitcoin trades near historic highs, analysts expect more older wallets to stir in the coming weeks. Whether this activity signals profit-taking or simple reorganization, it reflects how far the cryptocurrency has come since its early days — and how its earliest investors are now navigating the new era of digital asset maturity.
Julie is a renowned crypto journalist with a passion for uncovering the latest trends in blockchain and cryptocurrency. With over a decade of experience, she has become a trusted voice in the industry, providing insightful analysis and in-depth reporting on groundbreaking developments. Julie's work has been featured in leading publications, solidifying her reputation as a leading expert in the field.
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