Bitcoin Wallets Dormant for Over a Decade Move $40M in One Week
Six long-dormant Bitcoin wallets from 2011–2014 suddenly moved 553.59 BTC worth about $40.15 million between Aug. 16 and Aug. 26, according to Galaxy Research. The oldest activity included a 2011 wallet moving 8.54 BTC after 15 years, a 2012 wallet moving 212 BTC, another 2011 wallet moving 10.74 BTC, two more moves on Aug. 22 totaling 282.31 BTC, and a 2012 wallet sending 40 BTC to Boerse Stuttgart Digital. Some wallets carried “Noah Doe” labels tied to a lawsuit arguing dormant Bitcoin addresses are abandoned property; others were unlabeled. The motives are unclear, but likely explanations include owners reacting to the legal dusting campaign or to recent hardware-wallet security concerns. The broader pattern of ancient wallets waking up has accelerated in recent months.
