After 15 years of complete inactivity, a Bitcoin address tied to early mining activity has suddenly sprung to life—transferring 50 BTC now worth nearly $5 million. The wallet, first credited in July 2010 when Bitcoin traded below $0.10, made its first-ever outbound transaction this week.
The address, beginning with “04ba30,” originally received the BTC as a block reward during Bitcoin’s infancy—an era when mining was largely the domain of hobbyists and computer science enthusiasts. At the time, the entire stash was worth just $5. Fast-forward to today, and those coins—at a current price of around $93,455 per BTC—are valued at approximately $4.67 million.
The transaction was first spotted by crypto historian and journalist Pete Rizzo, who flagged the movement on X, igniting renewed interest in long-dormant wallets often referred to in crypto circles as “ancient whales.”
While it’s unclear whether the funds were sold or simply moved to another wallet for safekeeping, transactions from such old addresses often spark speculation around the identity of the holder—ranging from early developers to long-lost miners. These events can occasionally stir fears of large-scale selloffs, but Bitcoin’s price remained stable after the transfer, suggesting no immediate liquidation.
Moments like these underscore Bitcoin’s transformation from experimental code to a trillion-dollar asset—and the staggering wealth quietly accruing in forgotten wallets across the blockchain.
Wallet Nets 93 Million Percent Gain
Should the owner of the recently reactivated wallet choose to sell, they would realize a jaw-dropping return of more than 93,460,500% on their original holdings. When the 50 BTC were mined in July 2010, they were worth just $5. Today, that same amount is valued at nearly $4.7 million on the open market.
While seemingly unfathomable, such exponential gains aren’t rare in Bitcoin’s storied history. The crypto world has seen similar resurgences from early adopters whose patience—or sheer forgetfulness—has transformed modest investments into generational wealth.
One notable example came in November 2024, when a dormant wallet holding 2,000 BTC—originally worth just $120—was transferred to Coinbase. At the time of the move, the wallet’s value stood at $179 million, marking an astonishing 150,000,000% gain.
These rare but captivating moments continue to serve as reminders of Bitcoin’s volatile yet transformative journey—and highlight the mystique of the so-called ancient whales, whose occasional moves still command market-wide attention.
Satoshi’s Silent Stash Still Looms
While movements from early Bitcoin wallets frequently attract headlines, the largest and most enigmatic trove remains untouched: the estimated 1.1 million BTC believed to belong to Bitcoin’s elusive creator, Satoshi Nakamoto. Valued at over $102 billion at current prices, Satoshi’s holdings represent more than 5% of Bitcoin’s total supply—yet none of it has ever been moved.
Despite renewed curiosity over old wallets springing back to life, Satoshi’s coins remain dormant, a constant in the ever-evolving crypto narrative and a symbolic anchor for Bitcoin’s origin story.
Meanwhile, Bitcoin’s overall market performance has remained relatively stable. The price is flat on the day but has gained 10% over the past week, according to data from CoinGecko. BTC currently trades about 14% below its all-time high of $108,786 set in January—suggesting cautious optimism as the market consolidates near historic territory.
Quick Facts
- A Bitcoin wallet containing 50 BTC, mined in July 2010, was moved after 15 years of dormancy.
- The coins, once worth $5, are now valued at approximately $4.67 million.
- Similar dormant wallet awakenings have occurred—most notably a 2,000 BTC transfer in November 2024 worth $179 million.
- Despite these movements, Bitcoin’s price remains stable, signaling market confidence in current conditions.
