Eight Bitcoin Wallets Move 80,000 BTC in Record-Breaking “Satoshi Era” Transfer

Eight Bitcoin wallets, inactive since 2011, collectively moved approximately 80,000 BTC—worth more than $8 billion—in the largest transfer of “Satoshi-era” coins ever recorded. This wave began early Friday when two wallets, each holding 10,000 BTC since April 3, 2011 (when Bitcoin was trading at just $0.78), shifted their balances into new modern-format addresses.

On-chain intelligence firm Arkham later identified six additional wallets from the same era, each moving 10,000 BTC in quick succession, totaling about 80,000 BTC moved to fresh SegWit addresses. All of the funds remain unmoved since the transfer, and no owner has publicly claimed the coins.

The origin of these transfers is believed to trace back to a 2011 wallet (“1HqXB…gDwcK”), which initially sent out 23,377.83 BTC to three separate addresses—two of which held the long-dormant coins until now. Although massive, the transfers didn’t trigger large-scale on-chain liquidation or exchange deposits, suggesting no immediate intent to sell.

Speculation has arisen regarding why these funds were moved after 14 years of dormancy. Notably, Arkham and Coinbase personnel observed an unusual Bitcoin Cash (BCH) transaction involving over 10,000 BCH tokens shortly before the BTC transfers—hinting that the entity may have tested private key access first to confirm control. Analysts are also considering possibilities of a deliberate test or even the involvement of advanced quantum decryption.

These dormant wallets, originating in Bitcoin’s earliest days, are often referred to as part of the “holy grail” by enthusiasts and analysts. Their activity typically draws intense scrutiny, partly because any sale from such early-mined coins could carry symbolic and market repercussions. That said, with the coins relocated but not yet deployed, markets have so far stayed calm—though traders remain watchful for any further movements.