Dormant Bitcoin Whale Awakens After 14 Years, Moves $16.6M Amid Quantum Concerns

A 14-year-old Bitcoin (BTC) wallet has moved 150 BTC (around $16.6 million) for the first time in over a decade, sparking attention among analysts over potential selling, rotation, or security-driven activity.

Data from Lookonchain identifies the wallet, 18eY9o, which holds a total of 4,000 BTC (approximately $442 million). These coins were mined in 2009 and consolidated into the wallet by 2011.

The movement aligns with a broader trend this year of early “OG” holders taking profits as BTC surpasses symbolic milestones like $100,000. On-chain metrics show substantial realized gains, with prior activity including the 2025 sale of roughly 80,000 BTC from another long-dormant early whale via Galaxy Digital.

Some analysts highlight quantum computing concerns as a possible driver. Nicholas Gregory, Bitcoin OG and Fragrant Board Director, told CoinDesk:

“Coins from 2011 may be vulnerable to quantum attacks if their public keys have been exposed (early P2PK addresses or reused P2PKH addresses). Moving them to new, unexposed addresses could be a preemptive security measure.”

This latest activity underscores both profit-taking and evolving security considerations among Bitcoin’s earliest holders.