A large Bitcoin wallet that had been dormant since November 2012 suddenly 'woke up' and moved some of its funds. According to data from the blockchain, the owner has withdrawn over 80 BTC from a total balance of 479 BTC, an event that immediately sparked interest and concern in the market.
Transaction Details
According to information published by The Block, on the night of 5 September 2025, the first transactions were made from an address that had been storing coins without any movement for almost 13 years. There are still 479 BTC remaining on the wallet, which, at current exchange rates, exceeds $53 million. Some $8.8 million in bitcoins have been put into circulation.
Curiously, the first transfers were minimal: 0.24998803 BTC and 0.00039728 BTC. Experts believe that these were "test transactions" by which the owner tested how the new addresses worked and the correctness of the network before moving a larger sum.
An ancient #Bitcoin whale just woke up after 13 years. 🐋
- CCN (@CCNDotComNews) September 4, 2025
The wallet holds 479 $BTC-worth $53.7M today, just $5,748 back in 2012.
Probably the most profitable nap in history. 🛌https://t.co/UW9V7d2FyW pic.twitter.com/ET6t7oPWBG
In the crypto environment, these addresses are called "whales". Any movement of dormant wallets causes strong reactions among traders. If assets are transferred to exchanges, this can mean an imminent sale and thus put pressure on the price. If, on the other hand, the transfers are to other personal wallets or cold storage, the impact could be neutral.
In July 2025, the market had already witnessed a similar case: over 80.000 BTCs, worth about $8.6 billion, were moved from "old" addresses opened in 2011, causing sharp fluctuations in prices.
Price Comparison: From Cents to Millions
At the time of the last activity in 2012, the 479 BTCs were only worth about $5,700. Today their price exceeds 53 million, an increase of over 934,000%. A figure that shows how radically the market has changed over the past decade.
While some investors are watching the 'whale' move, institutional capital continues to actively enter the market. As of 3 September 2025, the ETF on Bitcoin recorded an inflow of nearly 3,000 BTC (over $328 million). The largest purchasers were Fidelity, BlackRock and Ark Invest.
In contrast, funds on Ethereum recorded outflows of over USD 222 million over the same period. A contrast that could indicate a redistribution of capital in favour of Bitcoin.
Next Possible Scenarios
Analysts are urging analysts to carefully monitor the next moves of the owner of the "old" wallet. The main hypotheses are:
- If the funds are transferred to exchanges, the market could expect further pressure on the price of BTC;
- If, on the other hand, the assets remain in private circulation, the event will be limited to a "historical revival" without significant impact;
- Technical indicators such as Coin Days Destroyed (CDD) and MVRV will help to understand whether this is a major sell-off in the making or simply a technical test.
The awakening of a wallet that has been inactive since 2012 is a reminder that Bitcoin's history is full of surprises. For the market, it is a signal for caution: both short-term volatility and a strengthening of BTC positions can occur, especially against the backdrop of growing institutional demand. In any case, events of this kind underline the uniqueness of Bitcoin as an asset capable of 'living again' after decades, preserving and increasing its value.
