With bitcoin’s value rising past the $51,000 mark, numerous long-dormant bitcoin hoards have begun to mobilize unspent transaction outputs (UTXOs) that have remained untouched for an extended period. Although instances involving ‘sleeping bitcoins’ from the years 2009, 2010, and 2011 are considerably scarce, there’s been a noticeable resurgence of older coin batches from 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2016 making unexpected appearances.
Old Stashes of Bitcoin Come Alive in 2024’s Thriving Market
As bitcoin (BTC) floats at levels not observed since the tail end of 2021, the past three days have seen the movement of 452.25 BTC from the past, now valued at $23.36 million, marking their initial circulation in years. The year 2024 has scarcely witnessed transactions from 2010, 2011, and 2012, and it’s been quite some time since a 2009 ‘sleeping bitcoin‘ wallet has stirred. Post-2012, however, has experienced a notable increase in activity, with thousands of dormant addresses from those subsequent years still poised for action.
On Feb. 15, 2024, part of this 452.25 BTC movement involved an address established on Jan. 4, 2014, which liquidated 106.76 BTC valued at $5.5 million. At the time, BTC’s trading price was $859 per unit, pegging the cache’s original worth at $91,706.84. Concurrently, at block height 830,616, another 2014 address, created on Aug. 17, executed a transaction of 49.49 BTC. This trove, presently worth $2.55 million, was initially valued at $42,511.91.
The subsequent transaction occurred on Feb. 16, 2024, at block height 830,654, with an address from April 10, 2013, spending 100 bitcoins now valued at $5.16 million, a significant leap from their original $23,000 value based on a $230 per coin estimation. The next day presented a rare event from 2012; an address established on Oct. 19, 2012, moved 96 BTC at block height 830,803 on Feb. 17. With a 2012 value of $11.94 per BTC, the funds were initially worth just $1,146.24, starkly contrasting with today’s $4.95 million valuation.
Following the 2012 activity, another 100 BTC from a dormant address was transferred on Feb. 18, 2024, at block height 830,974. These coins, first acquired on March 5, 2016, when BTC was trading at $417, had an initial stash value of $41,700 and are now estimated at $5.16 million. This month has yet to see any movements from ‘sleeping bitcoin’ wallets minted in 2010 and 2011. However, last month recorded two transactions from 2010 and four from 2011 wallets.
This flurry of activity among long-inactive bitcoin accounts, coinciding with bitcoin’s ascent past significant valuation thresholds, underscores the enduring allure of vintage spends. It reflects a broader trend of strategic asset mobilization by holders awaiting optimal market conditions. As the market continues to evolve, these patterns of awakening among dormant accounts oftentimes provide insights into future trends and investor sentiment in the ever-unpredictable realm of the crypto asset economy.
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