In a rare and intriguing move, a dormant Bitcoin wallet from the early days of the network has just sprung back to life. The wallet, which had remained inactive for more than 15 years, transferred 50 BTC — currently valued at around $4.33 million — to another address.
This particular stash of Bitcoin was mined on March 18, 2010, when Bitcoin was still a niche technology and virtually worthless in market terms. Back then, mining 50 BTC was a common block reward and could be done with a basic personal computer.
A Window Into Bitcoin’s Early Days
These kinds of old wallet movements are often referred to as “Satoshi-era” transactions, referencing the period when Bitcoin’s mysterious creator, Satoshi Nakamoto, was still active.
Because so few people were mining Bitcoin in 2010, and many early adopters either lost access to their wallets or forgot about them, movements like this are rare and closely watched. Such a transfer could suggest that the original miner still has access to their private keys, or that someone has recently recovered the wallet.
NOW: A dormant miner wallet awakens after 15.7 years and transfers 50 $BTC ($4.33M) on-chain.
— Cointelegraph (@Cointelegraph) December 2, 2025
The miner originally earned 50 $BTC from mining on March 18, 2010. pic.twitter.com/pqHRewqX8B
Why Does It Matter?
While 50 BTC won’t crash the market, movements from early wallets can spark curiosity — and speculation. Some wonder whether it’s simply an old miner cashing out, or a potential prelude to more activity from other dormant addresses.
These moments also serve as reminders of how much Bitcoin has grown. What was once worth only a few cents is now worth millions. It highlights both the value of long-term holding and the importance of wallet security.