Thomas Daniels
A long-inactive Bitcoin wallet has reentered the market after more than eight years of dormancy, moving approximately $250 million worth of Bitcoin, according to blockchain analytics platform Arkham Intelligence.
The wallet, now identified across several addresses labeled “250M BTC Whale,” executed a series of high-value transfers within the past 16 hours. These transactions involved two separate batches, each moving close to 3,000 BTC—equivalent to roughly $252 million in total at current market valuations.
Originally accumulated in 2016, when Bitcoin was trading near the $1,000 mark, the wallet’s holdings have surged in value more than eightyfold. Arkham’s transaction data indicates the wallet had remained untouched since early 2017, underscoring the rarity of such large-scale reactivations from early adopters.
The resurgence of dormant whale wallets has become increasingly uncommon, offering a window into the wealth accrued by early Bitcoin investors who weathered multiple market cycles. These legacy holders exemplify the long-term gains that can result from strategic patience in volatile crypto markets.
This event also coincides with a broader industry discourse surrounding Bitcoin’s cyclical dynamics. Tomas Greif, Chief of Product & Strategy at mining firm Braiins, recently challenged the longevity of Bitcoin’s historically reliable four-year market cycle.
“Is the 4-year bitcoin cycle dead? Early on, halvings had a major supply impact. But as the majority of BTC has been mined, their effect is shrinking,” Greif said. He added that while historical patterns may persist due to market psychology, the material supply shock induced by halvings is expected to diminish over time.
Nevertheless, Greif emphasized that halvings will continue to influence mining economics, even if their effect on broader market cycles begins to fade.
