Bitcoin wallet from 2010 moves 100 BTC after 16 years

A Bitcoin wallet containing approximately 100.02 BTC, originally mined in July 2010, has moved for the first time in over 16 years. The funds, which originated from two mining rewards of 50 BTC and 50.02 BTC, were valued at roughly $6 when first received. At the time of the recent transfer, the market value of the holdings was approximately $8.55 million.

Galaxy Research flagged the transaction, noting that the owner bundled the old unspent transaction outputs (UTXOs) with several smaller, more recent deposits. The combined balance was subsequently split into two new addresses: one receiving 10 BTC and the other receiving approximately 90.02 BTC. As of the latest reports, both new addresses have remained untouched, and no coins have been sent to cryptocurrency exchanges.

While the address has been active in other capacities—moving different coins in 2015, 2017, and 2018—the specific 2010 mining rewards had remained dormant throughout those periods. Analysts note that while such movements often spark speculation regarding potential market sales, the lack of exchange activity suggests the movement could simply be a security upgrade by an early miner.