A long-dormant Bitcoin wallet from the network's genesis era has suddenly become active, transferring a massive 11,300 BTC, valued at approximately $750 million, to exchange-linked addresses. The wallet, which had remained untouched for about 15 years since the so-called "Satoshi era," executed the move on February 23, 2026, catching the attention of the entire crypto community.
The transfer was first highlighted by crypto analyst Coin Bureau on social media, noting the historic nature of the exit by an early miner. The Satoshi era refers to the period following Bitcoin's 2009 launch, when mining was accessible and rewards were high, creating a cohort of early, often silent, holders. The movement of such a large, vintage stash to exchanges is typically interpreted by traders as a precursor to selling, injecting fear into an already nervous market.
Bitcoin's price has declined roughly 20% since the start of 2026, and news of this whale activity fueled immediate speculation about impending heavy selling. Social media platforms saw a surge in warnings, and some traders reacted by opening short positions or preparing to buy potential dips. Historically, similar large transfers of 10,000 to 11,000 BTC have triggered short-term price volatility.
However, the ultimate impact remains uncertain. The owner's intentions are unknown; the funds could be moved for security, storage reorganization, or indeed for sale. On-chain data has not yet shown a dramatic spike in exchange reserves, suggesting a full, immediate market dump may not be imminent. Analysts caution that while such events carry strong emotional weight and can cause short-term pressure, Bitcoin's long-term price trends are governed by broader factors like global demand, macroeconomic conditions, and institutional adoption.
