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Bitcoin Whale Wakes After 12 Years, Shifts $84 Million in Assets

In Bitcoin News
January 21, 2026
  • A long-dormant whale moved 909 BTC ($84M) for the first time since 2013, netting a 13,000% gain.
  • The transfer to a new address appears to be for security or consolidation rather than an immediate exchange sale.
  • While Bitcoin sits near $89K, gold hit a record $4,750 as investors pivot to safe havens amid US-EU trade tensions.

A Bitcoin wallet that had been inactive for more than a decade moved 909 BTC late Monday, an on-chain transfer worth more than US$84 million (AU$128.5 million) at current prices.

The coins were sent from an address that first accumulated Bitcoin in 2013, when prices were below US$7, to a newly created wallet. Blockchain trackers Whale Alert and Lookonchain flagged the transaction, which represents an unrealised gain of more than 13,000% on the original holdings.

Moves by long-dormant “whale” wallets often draw market attention, particularly after Bitcoin’s rally above US$100K (AU$148K) last year. Such activity typically fuels speculation that early holders are preparing to sell into strength, potentially adding short-term pressure to prices. 

In this case, the Bitcoin has not been sent to an exchange, suggesting the transfer may reflect internal consolidation or a security-related address change rather than imminent selling.

Related: From Metaverse to Institutional Money: Why Real-World Assets Are Blockchain’s Real Breakthrough

A New Whale Appears

Actually, it’s been quite a few weeks since we’ve seen news of whales moving a large stash of crypto. Last time a BTC wallet address moved a considerable amount was in December, when a wallet linked to Silk Road suddenly moved its funds after ten years of inactivity.

It’s worse for Ethereum. Crypto News Australia reported how an ICO-era wallet awakened after ten years and, instead of selling, it staked US$120M (AU$178M) of its ETH, which is a considerable move.

Bitcoin last changed hands near US$89K (AU$132K), a 5% decrease in the last 24 hours and 8.1%. Ethereum, well, not doing great either; down 10% in the last seven days. 

Gold and silver are also outpacing Bitcoin and Ethereum in terms of price and volume. Gold alone reached US$4,750 (AU$7,058), a new all-time high, as geopolitical tensions increase.

Read more: The End of the Trump Trade: Crypto Grows Up

The post Bitcoin Whale Wakes After 12 Years, Shifts $84 Million in Assets appeared first on Crypto News Australia.

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Eugene K. Elias is a technology journalist passionate about the intersection of artificial intelligence and blockchain. With a background in computer science, he breaks down complex technical concepts into accessible insights for readers. At Satoshi News Africa, Eugene covers DeFi, Web3 development, and the latest blockchain innovations shaping the future of finance. Outside of work, he’s an avid chess player and a mentor to young programmers.