One of Bitcoin’s early-era addresses has awakened after nearly 13 years of silence, moving tens of millions of dollars’ worth of BTC and joining a growing list of long-dormant wallets that are suddenly active again.
Blockchain trackers spotted activity on Thursday from an address first funded in 2012, when bitcoin traded near $12.
The wallet shifted 137 BTC – now valued at about $15.6 million – splitting most of it to a new destination and sending a small portion to crypto exchange Kraken. Analysts say the latter move could hint at a partial cash-out.
Back in 2012, that same batch of coins was worth barely $5,400. Today, the untouched remainder of the wallet still holds more than 300 BTC, equal to roughly $35 million — a 9,300x gain on paper.
Not Alone in Waking Up
The reactivation is part of a trend. In July, Galaxy Digital helped liquidate more than 80,000 BTC on behalf of an early holder, a deal worth over $9 billion at the time.
Another whale this month rotated billions from BTC into ETH, building one of the largest Ethereum holdings on record. And just last week, a separate stash of 479 BTC ($53 million) moved after sitting idle since 2012.
These movements often grab attention not just for their size, but for their symbolism: coins mined or bought in Bitcoin’s infancy, untouched through multiple boom-and-bust cycles, are finally being mobilized.
Whether for estate planning, diversification, or profit-taking, the sudden activity reminds markets that even “lost” or forgotten coins can resurface at any moment.
The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or trading advice. Coindoo.com does not endorse or recommend any specific investment strategy or cryptocurrency. Always conduct your own research and consult with a licensed financial advisor before making any investment decisions.
Source: https://coindoo.com/a-2012-bitcoin-wallet-springs-back-to-life-with-50m-move/