Dormant Bitcoin Wallets Wake Up After 14 Years, Move $2.18 Billion in BTC

On July 3 night, two long-inactive bitcoin wallets, untouched for more than 14 years, were suddenly reactivated, transferring a combined total of 20,000 BTC.

The last recorded activity on these wallets dates back to April 3, 2011, when 23,377 BTC were moved from a single wallet («1HqXB...gDwcK») to three separate addresses. Two of those addresses received 10,000 BTC each, while the third was sent 3,377.83 BTC, The Caspian Post reports via ForexMart.

The two wallets holding 10,000 BTC each remained inactive until July 3, while the third wallet spent its funds shortly after receiving them in 2011.

Since then, the value of the 20,000 BTC has skyrocketed-from roughly $7,800 in 2011 to approximately $2.18 billion today (July 5).

The identities of the owners behind these wallets remain a mystery, as does the reason for their sudden activation. It is also unclear whether both addresses are controlled by the same individual or entity.