Bitcoin Whale Awakens: $85 Million Moved After 13-Year Slumber
A Bitcoin investor who first purchased the cryptocurrency over 13 years ago has stirred from their slumber, moving their entire fortune of over $85 million in Bitcoin. This sudden movement has sparked interest in the crypto market, with some fearing a potential sell-off. According to on-chain data tracked by Arkham Intelligence, the address “1A2hq…pZGZm” moved 909 BTC, worth over $84 million, to a new address “bc1qk…sxaeh” late Monday.
The long-dormant whale accumulated its BTC stockpile between December 2012 and April 2013, when the price of Bitcoin was below $10. This means the investor is sitting on an unrealized gain of more than 13,000%. The owner of the Bitcoin wallet remains unknown, and the new address has not been identified. However, the coins moved on Monday have not yet been shifted to a centralized exchange address, suggesting the move could be a consolidation of assets rather than preparation for liquidation.
Historical Context and Market Implications
The movement of this ancient whale’s Bitcoin aligns with a pattern seen after Bitcoin’s record-breaking rally to the symbolic $100,000 mark last year, prompting several Satoshi-era wallets with huge paper profits to resurface. Notably, one mysterious old whale sold more than 80,000 BTC in July 2025 via institutional crypto firm Galaxy Digital after holding the coins for 14 years, accruing roughly $9 billion in profits. The sudden negative move in the market came after renewed tariff threats between the U.S. and Europe, linked to President Donald Trump’s comments on Greenland, have pushed investors back toward traditional safe havens, triggering a sudden crypto market crash.
The usual four-year market cycle would suggest a bear market is ahead, but some industry pundits strongly believe that Bitcoin market dynamics have evolved, and more gains could be on the horizon for the asset in 2026. As the crypto market continues to evolve, it is essential for investors to stay informed and adapt to the changing landscape. The movement of this Bitcoin whale serves as a reminder of the unpredictability and excitement of the cryptocurrency market.
