$15M In Bitcoin Awakens From 10-Year Slumber As BTC Hits $116K

Christian Encila

1 month ago

3 mins read

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Bitcoin is back in the spotlight after reports confirmed that coins untouched since 2012 have been moved for the first time.

The reactivation of an old wallet came at a moment when the market is already buzzing with strong ETF inflows and record levels of stablecoin liquidity.

Wallet Reactivates After 13 Years

According to Onchain Lens, the address that first received coins on November 26, 2012, moved 132.03 BTC in a single transaction.

The transfer was worth about $15 million at current prices. The same wallet also sent five BTC to the Kraken exchange. After those moves, it still holds 308 BTC — a stash now valued at nearly $35 million.

In total, the address once controlled 444 BTC, which the report places at more than $50 million combined.

A dormant whale woke-up after 13 years, moved 132.03 $BTC ($15.06M) to a new address and depositing 5 $BTC into #Kraken.

The wallet still holds 307.79 $BTC ($35M). It has received these $BTC for just $5,437 at $12.22https://t.co/mhCNYQs7cA pic.twitter.com/L0ltIwu6Oe

— Onchain Lens (@OnchainLens) September 11, 2025

Early Holder Made A Tiny Bet That Paid Off

Based on reports, the coins were originally bought when Bitcoin traded at about $12.22 per coin. The wallet’s total purchase cost was only $5,435.

That original outlay has turned into massive gains. The current math shows a profit in the ballpark of $15.60 million on that small initial buy. Simple numbers like that help explain why stories about old wallets get attention.

Bitcoin Price And Market Momentum

Bitcoin has pulled back above the $116,000 mark. Data from Coingecko show BTC trading at $116,083, a daily move of 0.25% and up 3% over the past week.

The market still remembers August 14, 2025, when BTC hit an all-time high of $124,450. Those price swings are part of the backdrop for why a whale moving coins draws extra interest now.

Institutional Flows Pick Up

Data shows that Bitcoin spot ETFs recorded $757 million in inflows on Wednesday. That is the largest single-day number since July 17 and extends a three-day streak of positive flows.

The steady inflows suggest bigger players are adding exposure, or at least reallocating capital into the market.

Total crypto market cap at $3.95 trillion on the daily chart: TradingView

Stablecoin Reserves Hit Records

Meanwhile, reports from CryptoQuant indicate Binance saw its largest net stablecoin inflow of the year on Monday, a little over $6 billion.

Binance’s stablecoin reserves are reported to be near $40 billion, while aggregate stablecoin holdings across exchanges hit about $70 billion last week.

New Layer Of Intrigue

The sudden movement of coins untouched for more than a decade has added a new layer of intrigue to Bitcoin’s latest rally.

With the asset holding above $116,000, ETFs drawing hundreds of millions in inflows, and record stablecoin balances sitting on exchanges, the market is flush with liquidity and attention.

Whether this wallet activity signals profit-taking, repositioning, or something else entirely, it highlights the enduring power of early bets on Bitcoin and the continued influence of long-term holders on today’s market.

Featured image from Unsplash, chart from TradingView

Christian Encila

They say journalists never truly clock out. But for Christian, that's not just a metaphor, it's a lifestyle. By day, he navigates the ever-shifting tides of the cryptocurrency market, wielding words like a seasoned editor and crafting articles that decipher the jargon for the masses. When the PC goes on hibernate mode, however, his pursuits take a more mechanical (and sometimes philosophical) turn.

Christian's journey with the written word began long before the age of Bitcoin. In the hallowed halls of academia, he honed his craft as a feature writer for his college paper. This early love for storytelling paved the way for a successful stint as an editor at a data engineering firm, where his first-month essay win funded a months-long supply of doggie and kitty treats – a testament to his dedication to his furry companions (more on that later).

Christian then roamed the world of journalism, working at newspapers in Canada and even South Korea. He finally settled down at a local news giant in his hometown in the Philippines for a decade, becoming a total news junkie. But then, something new caught his eye: cryptocurrency. It was like a treasure hunt mixed with storytelling - right up his alley!

So, he landed a killer gig at NewsBTC, where he's one of the go-to guys for all things crypto. He breaks down this confusing stuff into bite-sized pieces, making it easy for anyone to understand (he salutes his management team for teaching him this skill).

Think Christian's all work and no play? Not a chance! When he's not at his computer, you'll find him indulging his passion for motorbikes. A true gearhead, Christian loves tinkering with his bike and savoring the joy of the open road on his 320-cc Yamaha R3. Once a speed demon who hit 120mph (a feat he vowed never to repeat), he now prefers leisurely rides along the coast, enjoying the wind in his thinning hair.

Speaking of chill, Christian's got a crew of furry friends waiting for him at home. Two cats and a dog. He swears cats are way smarter than dogs (sorry, Grizzly), but he adores them all anyway. Apparently, watching his pets just chillin’ helps him analyze and write meticulously formatted articles even better.

Here's the thing about this guy: He works a lot, but he keeps himself fueled by enough coffee to make it through the day - and some seriously delicious (Filipino) food. He says a delectable meal is the secret ingredient to a killer article. And after a long day of crypto crusading, he unwinds with some rum (mixed with milk) while watching slapstick movies.

Looking ahead, Christian sees a bright future with NewsBTC. He says he sees himself privileged to be part of an awesome organization, sharing his expertise and passion with a community he values, and fellow editors - and bosses - he deeply respects.

So, the next time you tread into the world of cryptocurrency, remember the man behind the words – the crypto crusader, the grease monkey, and the feline philosopher, all rolled into one.

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