Three dormant Bitcoin wallets containing 10,000 BTC each suddenly became active this week after 14 years of inactivity. The transactions represent approximately $3 billion in value at current prices, with the original investments totaling less than $24,000 when acquired in 2011 at 【$0.78 per BTC】.
Blockchain analytics platform Lookonchain first identified the "12tLs" wallet transferring its holdings on Thursday. Within hours, two additional wallets ("bc1qm" and "1GcCK") followed suit —— marking the first movement from these addresses since their creation during Bitcoin's early days. The simultaneous activity suggests coordinated action among long-term holders.
The 14-year holding period yielded extraordinary returns exceeding 【13,000,000%】 for these early adopters. For context, $10,000 invested in 2011 would now be worth over $1.3 billion —— outperforming every traditional asset class during the same period by multiple orders of magnitude.
While whale movements often trigger price volatility, analysts note these transactions represent less than 0.5% of Bitcoin's circulating supply. "We're seeing classic profit-taking behavior from early investors," noted Ruslan Lienkha of YouHodler. "The market easily absorbed this volume without significant price disruption."
Contrasting with individual sellers, institutional accumulation persists. Public companies now hold 【3.47 million BTC】 —— nearly 4% of total supply —— according to BitcoinTreasuries.NET. This represents a 120% increase in corporate holders since early 2025, demonstrating growing mainstream acceptance.
The whale activity coincides with record highs in traditional markets, as the S&P 500 and Nasdaq both reached all-time peaks this week. Some analysts suggest the synchronized movements indicate —— "a broader rotation into risk assets" —— though others caution against drawing direct correlations between crypto and equity markets.
Market observers remain divided on short-term prospects. While technical indicators suggest potential resistance at 【$112,000】, the fundamental case strengthens with each wave of institutional adoption. As one trader remarked: "When early holders take profits after 14 years and the network doesn't blink —— that's the sign of a maturing asset class."