Six long-dormant Bitcoin wallets created between 2011 and 2014 have become active again, according to data from Galaxy Research. Between August 16 and 26, the wallets transferred a combined 553.59 $BTC, worth approximately $40 million at current prices.
Bitcoin wallets inactive for more than 15 years move funds
One of the wallets had reportedly been inactive for more than 15 years. Its renewed activity indicates that some Bitcoin holdings from the cryptocurrency’s earliest years are beginning to move on-chain again.
Galaxy Research found that five of the six wallets transferred their Bitcoin to addresses not associated with any known cryptocurrency exchange. As a result, there is no clear evidence that the transactions were intended as direct sales.
The remaining wallet transferred 40 $BTC to Boerse Stuttgart Digital, a Germany-based provider of cryptocurrency custody and transaction services. However, the transfer does not necessarily indicate that the Bitcoin was sold. The assets may instead have been moved into custody or transferred for another institutional transaction purpose.
‘Sleeping Bitcoin’ activity reaches its lowest level since 2022
Alex Thorn, head of research at Galaxy Digital, said on-chain activity involving long-dormant Bitcoin has declined significantly in recent months. Thorn said activity among legacy coins, described as “sleeping Bitcoin,” fell to its lowest level since the third quarter of 2022 by the second quarter of 2026.
Thorn also expects the total value of transfers from Bitcoin wallets that have been inactive for long periods throughout 2026 to be less than half the level recorded last year.
This is not investment advice.
