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- A Bitcoin wallet inactive since November 2013 moved its 500 BTC stash on May 10, worth roughly $40 million at current prices.
- The transfer was part of a larger cluster: 859 BTC worth $69.47 million was moved from dormant wallets created between 2013 and 2017.
- The wallet’s original holder paid about $461,500 for the coins when Bitcoin was $923.
A Bitcoin wallet that hadn’t been used for 12.5 years transferred 500 BTC last Sunday, May 10, amounting to around $40 million in crypto for the first time since November 2013.
A #BitcoinOG(1KAA8G) moved 500 $BTC($40.62M) out 4 hours ago after 12+ years of inactivity.
This OG received the 500 $BTC 12 years ago, when $BTC was ~$914.
He is now sitting on a profit of $40.17M — an 88x return.https://t.co/kN1yipYyIP pic.twitter.com/6PmdSigRp9
— Lookonchain (@lookonchain) May 10, 2026
The wallet was created on November 27, 2013. It moved its full balance at block height 948,822.
Bitcoin traded at about $923 when the coins were received. The stash was worth about $461,500 at the time.
With Bitcoin now trading between $80,500 and $82,458, its value has risen roughly 87-fold.
The transfer was not isolated
This transaction is a component of a larger pattern of dormant wallets becoming active again.
On May 10, between blocks 948,694 and 948,822, wallets created between 2013 and 2017 transferred 859.13 BTC, equivalent to roughly $69.47 million in total.
There were six transactions totaling 319.13 BTC from wallets that received funds way back in 2017. There were also four transactions totaling 10 BTC each carried out by wallets created in 2014.
This suggests a larger trend of old Bitcoin stock coming alive in 2026.
As Cryptopolitan reported in October, Bitcoin’s revived supply hit roughly $2.9 billion per day, the second-highest level ever, with the average age of spent coins rising from 26 days in early 2023 to about 100 days by October 2025.
Bitcoin prices did not show signs of panic selling after the transfer became public. Also, Blockchain data has not yet shown the recent 500 BTC entering any known exchange deposit address.
Why dormant wallet movements matter
In January, Cryptopolitan reported that a 2010-era miner wallet moved 2,000 BTC, worth nearly $200 million, to Coinbase.
In September 2025, another wallet that had been dormant for 12 years moved 1,000 BTC, worth about $116 million, ahead of a Federal Reserve rate decision.
A wallet linked to early Bitcoin investor Owen Gunden sold about 11,000 BTC across multiple transactions, The Block reported in March. The sales were worth more than $1 billion.
For the May 10 wallet, the next transaction will be the most important one.
If the coins stay in private wallets, then the transaction might only be about custody changes.
However, should they go to an exchange, it might be interpreted by traders as potential selling pressure.
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FAQs
How much profit did the Bitcoin whale make?
The holder acquired 500 BTC in 2013 for roughly $457,000. At current prices
near $81,500, the position is worth about $40.6 million, an estimated 88x
return, based on data from Lookonchain and reported market pricing.
Were the coins sent to an exchange?
No. Onchain tracking indicates the BTC were moved to a new wallet rather than a known exchange deposit address. That means no confirmed sale or liquidation has occurred.
Is this part of a wider trend?
Yes. Across recent market cycles, long-dormant Bitcoin and Ethereum wallets
have periodically reactivated during strong price rallies. However, analysts
stress that wallet movement alone is not sufficient to confirm selling, as
transfers often reflect custody changes rather than market exits.
Disclaimer. The information provided is not trading advice. Cryptopolitan.com holds no liability for any investments made based on the information provided on this page. We strongly recommend independent research and/or consultation with a qualified professional before making any investment decisions.
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