Sleeping for 14 years, the “Satoshi Wallet” suddenly awakens, purchasing 8,145 BTC in a single transaction, valued at $725 million. Such a scale of fund movement has only been seen before with institutional buyers like BlackRock. On-chain data shows that the massive whale has accumulated a total of 375,000 BTC in the past 30 days, with Bitcoin supply profits at 69%, indicating a cycle transition phase. Does this imply that the market has bottomed out?
Why is the “Satoshi Wallet” making a move now after 14 years of dormancy?
This scale of capital is unlikely to be influenced by short-term fluctuations. Early Bitcoin holders have experienced every cycle, every crash, and every peak of extreme prosperity. When the wallet size changes in that era, it is rarely impulsive but a strategic decision made after careful consideration. Notably, the wallet activation coincides with the 17th anniversary of Bitcoin’s birth. Satoshi Nakamoto launched the Genesis Block on January 3, 2009, marking the beginning of the decentralized currency era.
From historical experience, savvy investors tend to build positions during periods of high uncertainty rather than chasing after price rebounds. When good news emerges, the market has often already settled. This pattern of “returning to conviction before reaching consensus” can be observed at every cycle bottom. When Bitcoin fell to $200 in 2015, $3,000 in 2018, and during the pandemic crash in 2020, large dormant wallets accumulated assets in panic-driven contrarian moves.
The more critical question is: why now? Bitcoin is currently trading near $91,426, well below the $108,000 all-time high set in December 2024. From a technical perspective, the price has retraced about 15%, entering a healthy correction zone. On-chain data shows the supply profit indicator at 68.85%, which has been decreasing since October 2024, indicating the market is cooling from an overheated state.
This profit supply zone of 55% to 80% has historically corresponded to market transition periods. If it continues to decline below 55%, it usually signals a cycle bottom; if it re-breaks above 80%, it confirms the start of a new bull market. The current level of 69% is right at a critical threshold, and the activation of dormant wallets may suggest that early holders see the risk-reward ratio as now attractive.
Signals of institutional and whale accumulation synchronized
(Source: Arkham)
Early Ethereum investors are adjusting their allocations. Blockchain tracking platform Lookonchain reports that address 0x4553 recently exchanged 14,146 ETH worth $44.3 million for 492 Wrapped BTC at an exchange rate of 0.03479. This investor had accumulated 21,000 ETH between 2019 and 2023 at an average cost of $2,922, and is now shifting some funds into Bitcoin, implying capital is flowing from high-volatility assets to the market leader.
This cross-asset rotation often occurs during market cycle transitions. When Ethereum holders transfer profits into Bitcoin, it suggests they believe BTC offers a better risk-reward at current valuations. Ethereum is currently near $3,096, with a market cap of about $373.7 billion, while Bitcoin’s market cap reaches $1.79 trillion, providing room for capital rotation.
Reshaping the Power Structure of the Market
Institutional influence continues to expand: 2025 Bitcoin ownership data shows that through ETFs and corporate holdings, Bitcoin ownership has reached 7.8%, more than tripling since 2023. BlackRock’s IBIT saw a net inflow of $240 million in a single day, indicating that traditional finance continues to increase its Bitcoin allocations.
Retail dominance but with increased self-custody awareness: Individual holdings still account for 65.9%, but 56.58% of these choose self-custody rather than exchange storage. The proportion of Bitcoin held on exchanges has dropped to 26.97%, a new all-time low, reflecting market participants’ prioritization of security over liquidity.
Rising concentration risk among whales: Gini coefficient increases and strategic whale movements indicate rising concentration risk. Over the past 30 days, whales have accumulated a total of 375,000 BTC (about $34 billion), a scale of accumulation often signaling medium-term bullish expectations.
Accumulation always precedes verification
The market doesn’t need everyone to believe in it; it only needs a sufficiently large scale to change the game. Observing Bitcoin’s reaction to such capital flows is far more important than any short-term trend. Because accumulation always precedes verification, it will never happen after verification. When dormant addresses like the “Satoshi Wallet” with 14 years of inactivity start moving, when whales have accumulated 375,000 BTC in 30 days, and when institutions are seeing an average daily ETF inflow of $240 million, these signals are not just predictions—they are creating the market.
From a cycle theory perspective, Bitcoin is in the second year after the fourth halving. Historically, this phase often marks the acceleration of the bull market. In 2013, 2017, and 2021, the second year after halving saw new all-time highs. If this pattern continues, 2025 could become a new price discovery phase. However, geopolitical risks and global economic uncertainties remain variables, and investors should balance ETF exposure with macro hedging strategies.
For ordinary investors, the current environment offers a rare opportunity to observe the actions of smart money. The activation of dormant wallets, continuous whale accumulation, and steady institutional inflows all point in the same direction: long-term believers are cautiously building positions. This does not necessarily mean the “bottom has been reached,” but it does tell us that early holders who have held since 2011, survived countless booms and busts without selling, are increasing their holdings at current prices. Their judgment may not always be correct, but their track record deserves respect.
This page may contain third-party content, which is provided for information purposes only (not representations/warranties) and should not be considered as an endorsement of its views by Gate, nor as financial or professional advice. See Disclaimer for details.
"Bitcoin Nakamoto Wallet" Rarely Awakens! Purchases 8,145 Bitcoins for $725 million
Sleeping for 14 years, the “Satoshi Wallet” suddenly awakens, purchasing 8,145 BTC in a single transaction, valued at $725 million. Such a scale of fund movement has only been seen before with institutional buyers like BlackRock. On-chain data shows that the massive whale has accumulated a total of 375,000 BTC in the past 30 days, with Bitcoin supply profits at 69%, indicating a cycle transition phase. Does this imply that the market has bottomed out?
Why is the “Satoshi Wallet” making a move now after 14 years of dormancy?
This scale of capital is unlikely to be influenced by short-term fluctuations. Early Bitcoin holders have experienced every cycle, every crash, and every peak of extreme prosperity. When the wallet size changes in that era, it is rarely impulsive but a strategic decision made after careful consideration. Notably, the wallet activation coincides with the 17th anniversary of Bitcoin’s birth. Satoshi Nakamoto launched the Genesis Block on January 3, 2009, marking the beginning of the decentralized currency era.
From historical experience, savvy investors tend to build positions during periods of high uncertainty rather than chasing after price rebounds. When good news emerges, the market has often already settled. This pattern of “returning to conviction before reaching consensus” can be observed at every cycle bottom. When Bitcoin fell to $200 in 2015, $3,000 in 2018, and during the pandemic crash in 2020, large dormant wallets accumulated assets in panic-driven contrarian moves.
The more critical question is: why now? Bitcoin is currently trading near $91,426, well below the $108,000 all-time high set in December 2024. From a technical perspective, the price has retraced about 15%, entering a healthy correction zone. On-chain data shows the supply profit indicator at 68.85%, which has been decreasing since October 2024, indicating the market is cooling from an overheated state.
This profit supply zone of 55% to 80% has historically corresponded to market transition periods. If it continues to decline below 55%, it usually signals a cycle bottom; if it re-breaks above 80%, it confirms the start of a new bull market. The current level of 69% is right at a critical threshold, and the activation of dormant wallets may suggest that early holders see the risk-reward ratio as now attractive.
Signals of institutional and whale accumulation synchronized
(Source: Arkham)
Early Ethereum investors are adjusting their allocations. Blockchain tracking platform Lookonchain reports that address 0x4553 recently exchanged 14,146 ETH worth $44.3 million for 492 Wrapped BTC at an exchange rate of 0.03479. This investor had accumulated 21,000 ETH between 2019 and 2023 at an average cost of $2,922, and is now shifting some funds into Bitcoin, implying capital is flowing from high-volatility assets to the market leader.
This cross-asset rotation often occurs during market cycle transitions. When Ethereum holders transfer profits into Bitcoin, it suggests they believe BTC offers a better risk-reward at current valuations. Ethereum is currently near $3,096, with a market cap of about $373.7 billion, while Bitcoin’s market cap reaches $1.79 trillion, providing room for capital rotation.
Reshaping the Power Structure of the Market
Institutional influence continues to expand: 2025 Bitcoin ownership data shows that through ETFs and corporate holdings, Bitcoin ownership has reached 7.8%, more than tripling since 2023. BlackRock’s IBIT saw a net inflow of $240 million in a single day, indicating that traditional finance continues to increase its Bitcoin allocations.
Retail dominance but with increased self-custody awareness: Individual holdings still account for 65.9%, but 56.58% of these choose self-custody rather than exchange storage. The proportion of Bitcoin held on exchanges has dropped to 26.97%, a new all-time low, reflecting market participants’ prioritization of security over liquidity.
Rising concentration risk among whales: Gini coefficient increases and strategic whale movements indicate rising concentration risk. Over the past 30 days, whales have accumulated a total of 375,000 BTC (about $34 billion), a scale of accumulation often signaling medium-term bullish expectations.
Accumulation always precedes verification
The market doesn’t need everyone to believe in it; it only needs a sufficiently large scale to change the game. Observing Bitcoin’s reaction to such capital flows is far more important than any short-term trend. Because accumulation always precedes verification, it will never happen after verification. When dormant addresses like the “Satoshi Wallet” with 14 years of inactivity start moving, when whales have accumulated 375,000 BTC in 30 days, and when institutions are seeing an average daily ETF inflow of $240 million, these signals are not just predictions—they are creating the market.
From a cycle theory perspective, Bitcoin is in the second year after the fourth halving. Historically, this phase often marks the acceleration of the bull market. In 2013, 2017, and 2021, the second year after halving saw new all-time highs. If this pattern continues, 2025 could become a new price discovery phase. However, geopolitical risks and global economic uncertainties remain variables, and investors should balance ETF exposure with macro hedging strategies.
For ordinary investors, the current environment offers a rare opportunity to observe the actions of smart money. The activation of dormant wallets, continuous whale accumulation, and steady institutional inflows all point in the same direction: long-term believers are cautiously building positions. This does not necessarily mean the “bottom has been reached,” but it does tell us that early holders who have held since 2011, survived countless booms and busts without selling, are increasing their holdings at current prices. Their judgment may not always be correct, but their track record deserves respect.