Galaxy Digital executed one of the largest Bitcoin deals to date, selling over 80,000 Bitcoin - worth more than $9 billion - on behalf of one of its investors from the Satoshi era, according to a company press release.
This massive sale is believed to be the largest virtual Bitcoin sale ever, representing a historic moment in the digital asset market.
Strategic sale by a Satoshi-era coin holder
This deal represents an exit by one of the early Bitcoin users. Galaxy has stated that this step was part of the investor's estate planning strategy, suggesting a planned and long-term financial decision, rather than an abrupt market shift.
This sale marks the beginning of some early Bitcoin users realizing profits after more than a decade of price fluctuations. The "Satoshi era" refers to coins that were minted or purchased between 2009 and 2011, representing the early years of Bitcoin's existence when it was being developed by its mysterious founder, Satoshi Nakamoto.
Galaxy has emphasized the importance of this step, describing it as "one of the oldest and most significant exits from the digital asset market."
Sleeping Bitcoin whales awaken
This deal is not unique. In recent weeks, some old Bitcoin addresses have come back to life, moving billions of Bitcoin. One prominent wallet transferred $1.26 billion worth of Bitcoin after being dormant for years. Another whale from the Satoshi era moved over 80,000 Bitcoin, believed to be the same assets that are now being sold through Galaxy.
These widespread movements indicate increased activity among early users, possibly due to Bitcoin's strong performance in 2025 and rising demand from institutions.
Market impact and institutional participation
Regardless of the size of the sale, the market remained generally stable with increased liquidity and the maturation of the cryptocurrency market. Additionally, Galaxy's unusual success in managing this high-value deal is evidence of the growing role of institutional figures in overseeing large cryptocurrency assets. With the trading price of the currency exceeding $118,000 today, the occurrence of these two currencies reflects long-term expectations. Cryptocurrency holders are now benefiting for the first time from their early beliefs about this currency.