Dormant bitcoin whale holding over $50 million in BTC wakes up for first time in 13 years

A dormant bitcoin wallet that contained 444.81 BTC ($50.7 million) transferred funds for the first time in nearly 13 years on Thursday morning, according to onchain data.

An outbound send, totaling around 137.03 BTC ($15.6 million), was initiated at 11:27 a.m. UTC, data from blockchain explorer Mempool shows. The whale transferred approximately 132 BTC to a new address and sent 5 BTC to a Kraken deposit address, per Arkham labelling.

The address was last active on Nov. 26, 2012, receiving the same 137.03 BTC amount, when its 444.81 BTC balance was then worth just $5,437, blockchain monitoring platform Onchain Lens noted on X. 

The reason for the transfers remains unknown, as does the identity of the wallet’s ownership, though the smaller crypto exchange transfer could be indicative of selling.

With bitcoin currently trading for around $114,025, according to The Block’s BTC Price Page, the value of the bitcoin the address transferred has risen more than 9,300 times since the funds were last moved in 2012 at a bitcoin price of just $12.22.

The original “1Q397” address still holds around 307.79 BTC, worth $35.1 million, onchain data shows.

Increased bitcoin OG whale movements

OG bitcoin wallets have ramped up their activity in recent months as the foremost cryptocurrency continued to make new all-time highs.

In July, Galaxy Digital sold off more than 80,000 BTC, valued at over $9 billion at the time, for a Satoshi-era investor related to the client’s estate planning requirements, though the large, relatively fast sale was absorbed by the market well. The funds were moved for the first time in 14 years ahead of the sale.

More recently, a bitcoin OG continued to ramp up a significant rotation from BTC to ETH this month. The wallet, which initially held over $5 billion in bitcoin, has amassed nearly $4 billion in Ethereum so far.

Another bitcoin address containing around 479 BTC, worth $53 million, also woke up after being dormant for almost 13 years last week.

© 2025 The Block. All Rights Reserved. This article is provided for informational purposes only. It is not offered or intended to be used as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice.

 

Icon Bitcoin Cryptocurrency

Trade Crypto On Coinhub Exchange

Trade Crypto On Coinhub Exchange

Stay ahead of the market by turning news insights into trading opportunities. With Coinhub Exchange, you can seamlessly buy, sell, and manage your digital assets, all in one secure platform. Take advantage of real-time market insights, deep liquidity, and fast execution for your favorite cryptocurrencies. Don’t just read about it — trade crypto now!

Disclaimer

The content of this article shown by Coinhub News, powered by The Block, is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal, tax, or investment advice. Coinhub News and its affiliates are not a licensed financial advisor, legal advisor, broker, or tax advisor, and ... should not be considered as professional advice or a recommendation to engage in any specific investment, legal decision, or financial transaction. Cryptocurrency markets are highly speculative and volatile. Readers should perform their own independent research and consult with a qualified professional before making any financial or legal decisions. The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of the Company of its affiliates. Additionally, the Company does not make any representations or warranties regarding the accuracy, timeliness, reliability, or completeness of any information in this article. By accessing this content, you acknowledge that any reliance on the information contained in this article is solely at your own risk. The Company is not responsible for any financial losses, legal disputes, or other damages that may arise from reliance on this content or from any investment or legal decisions based on the information provided. Investing in cryptocurrencies involves substantial risks, including the risk of losing your entire investment, and you should carefully consider whether it is appropriate for your circumstances.

Read more

💹 Related News

🔥 Popular News

Referral Reward Program – Earn Commissions!  Learn More Icon Long Arrow