Lukochain’s data shows early Bitcoin A miner wallet holding 4,000 BTC (about $442 million) has been activated for the first time in 14 years.
The wallet identified as 18eY9o transferred 150 BTC (approximately $16.6 million) after years of inactivity.
These coins were originally minted in 2009 and integrated into the wallet in 2011. This activity may indicate a rotation, a potential sale, or simply a testing activity.
A major story this year focused on the selling pressure from early “OG” holders, who began transferring or selling their Bitcoin after reaching the symbolic $100,000 milestone.
Onchain data shows significant real gains, suggesting that older holders are taking advantage of higher prices. At the beginning of the year, approximately 80,000 BTC belonging to the initial whale, which had been inactive since 2011, sold the entire stockpile, using Galaxy Digital as a broker.
Some analysts also point to growing concerns over quantum computing and its potential threat to early Bitcoin addresses, which could explain the movement of older coins.
Bitcoin OG and Fragrant board director Nicholas Gregory told CoinDesk about the potential threat of quantum attacks.
“It is true that OG holders are selling; however, coins from this era (2011) may be vulnerable to potential quantum attacks if their public keys are exposed (as is the case with initial P2PK addresses or reused P2PK addresses),” Gregory said.
“This may be a preemptive move to move coins to new, unexposed addresses that will be better protected from such quantum hacks”.