Bitcoin OG whale awakens after 7 years, moves $188M BTC: Is a sell-off coming?

ambcryptoPublished on 2026-07-13Last updated on 2026-07-13

Abstract

A long-dormant Bitcoin whale, inactive since October 2018, moved 2,931 BTC (worth approximately $188 million) to a new wallet. This movement, occurring while Bitcoin traded near $63,000, sparked speculation of a potential sell-off, as the holdings had increased nearly tenfold in value. Analysis of the Spent Output Profit Ratio (SOPR) indicates the broader market is not in a phase of aggressive profit-taking, with the metric hovering near 1. Concurrently, on-chain data reveals strong accumulation by retail and smaller investors (wallets holding 0.1 to 100 BTC) between April and July 2026, with some larger institutional cohorts also increasing holdings. Despite a recent dip and rising oil prices—a historical headwind for crypto—Bitcoin demonstrated resilience by maintaining support above $60,000 and posting gains in late June. The article suggests the market may be growing less reactive to macroeconomic fears. The whale's transfer alone does not confirm an imminent sale.

After seven years of inactivity, a Bitcoin [BTC] OG holder moved 2,931 BTC, valued at about $188.03 million, to a new wallet in a recent on-chain development.

That said, this Bitcoin whale had not touched its holdings since the 23rd of October 2018. At that time, the leading cryptocurrency was trading close to $6,475.

Source: Lookonchain/X

This means at the current price, the value must have increased by nearly 10x. Needless to say, such large transfers from long-dormant wallets often indicate that the owner is getting ready to sell some or all of the holdings and realize significant profits.

However, a wallet transfer by itself does not prove a sale. This occurred after Bitcoin had dropped 1.36% over the previous day to $62,939.94 at the time of writing.

Are investors selling at a loss or profit?

However, the SOPR was near 1, indicating that the market as a whole is only making small gains instead of the aggressive profit-taking that usually occurs at cycle tops.

Interestingly, the SOPR remained close to 1 even back in October 2018, suggesting that coins were being spent near their purchase price.

Source: CryptoQuant

However, the market environment has entirely changed from a bear market in 2018 to a mature cycle in 2026. While early adopters still hold significant unrealized gains, the general market no longer exhibits the excessive profit-taking behavior.

Bitcoin accumulation is strong

At the same time, Santiment’s supply distribution suggested that retail and small investors were the main drivers of Bitcoin accumulation between April and July 2026. During this time, wallets holding between 0.1 and 100 BTC steadily grew their balances.

Source: Santiment

The accumulation of the 1,000–10,000 BTC cohort also suggests that some institutions and big whales are still purchasing.

On the other hand, wallets with 100–1,000 BTC steadily decreased their holdings, whereas the 10,000–100,000 BTC cohort experienced abrupt balance changes that most likely reflected transfers between custodians or exchanges rather than outright sales.

Bitcoin is resilient

The fact that Bitcoin rallied by over 6% in late June and early July while remaining well above the $60,000 support level further demonstrated its tenacity.

This strength coincided with oil prices rising more than 5% toward the $75 resistance level as macro uncertainty returned after U.S. President Donald Trump pulled out of the Iran ceasefire.

Historically, cryptocurrency market corrections have frequently followed increases in oil prices.

Nonetheless, the fact that Bitcoin has managed to sustain its upward trajectory despite these macro challenges raises the possibility that the market is growing more resilient to fear fueled by macro factors.


Final Summary

  • After seven years, an early bitcoin whale moved nearly 3K BTC to a new wallet.
  • This whale movement happened when Bitcoin was trading around $63k and the SOPR was at 1.

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Related Questions

QWhat significant action did a long-dormant Bitcoin OG whale take after 7 years of inactivity, and what was the approximate value of the BTC moved?

AThe whale moved 2,931 BTC from a wallet that had been inactive since October 2018 to a new wallet. The value of the transfer was approximately $188.03 million.

QWhy is the movement of a long-dormant whale wallet often interpreted by the market, and what does the article clarify about this specific transfer?

ALarge transfers from long-dormant wallets are often interpreted as a sign that the owner may be preparing to sell. However, the article clarifies that a wallet transfer by itself does not prove a sale has occurred.

QWhat does the Spent Output Profit Ratio (SOPR) being near 1 indicate about the current Bitcoin market according to the article?

AThe SOPR being near 1 indicates that the market as a whole is only making small gains or realizing minimal profits, rather than engaging in the aggressive profit-taking that typically occurs at market cycle tops.

QAccording to Santiment's data, which wallet size cohorts were the main drivers of Bitcoin accumulation between April and July 2026?

AAccording to Santiment's supply distribution, wallets holding between 0.1 and 100 BTC were the main drivers of accumulation. The 1,000–10,000 BTC cohort also showed accumulation, suggesting institutional or large whale buying.

QDespite a historical correlation, how did Bitcoin's price action demonstrate resilience in the face of rising oil prices and macro uncertainty in late June/early July?

ABitcoin rallied over 6% in late June and early July and remained well above the $60,000 support level. This strength, despite rising oil prices and geopolitical uncertainty, suggests the market is growing more resilient to macro-fueled fear.

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