Yeliz Akmaca 
A dormant Bitcoin whale from the Satoshi era has suddenly become active after 14 years. Blockchain analytics firm Lookonchain revealed that the whale transferred 40,192 BTC (worth approximately $4.77 billion) to a new wallet. Previously, the whale had moved 40,009 BTC to Galaxy Digital, followed by 6,000 BTC to Binance and Bybit. These movements have triggered notable market activity.
BTC broke a new all-time high on Monday, surpassing $122,000. According to CryptoQuant analyst Crazzyblockk, the surge was linked to profit-taking by major whales. Their gradual sell-offs were seen as a trigger for the subsequent price pullback.
The Bitcoin OG with 80,009 $BTC($9.46B) just transferred another 40,192 $BTC($4.77B) to a new wallet bc1qs4 and may continue to sell.https://t.co/EUM3WzP46nhttps://t.co/UjX7fBpbv7 pic.twitter.com/EEdS5eEZod
— Lookonchain (@lookonchain) July 17, 2025
Impact of Satoshi-Era Bitcoin Whales on the Market
Lookonchain detected the whale on July 4, pointing out that it controls eight wallets created in 2011. The first two wallets acquired 20,000 BTC in April that year, when Bitcoin was priced at just $0.78. This coincides with the period of Satoshi Nakamoto’s last known communication. The remaining six wallets held 60,009 BTC from May 2011, when Bitcoin traded around $3.37.
Additionally, a smaller dormant whale became active this week after six years, moving 1,042 BTC (worth $123 million) to a new wallet. This whale had acquired the tokens from Braiins Mining and Xapo Bank at a price of $8,746 in 2018. The BTC now remains in the new address.
Satoshi Nakamoto, the largest BTC holder, still hasn’t moved his 1.096 million BTC. Meanwhile, Gemini founders the Winklevoss twins reportedly own around 70,000 BTC, early investor Tim Draper holds 30,000 BTC, and Michael Saylor’s private wallet has about 17,732 Bitcoin.
The actions of large BTC whales significantly influence market trends and are closely monitored by investors.
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