Satoshi-Era Bitcoin Wallet Activated, Containing $20M in BTC

The 489 bitcoins contained within the wallet were worth less than $50 when they were last used 11 years ago. Bitcoin’s astonishing price gains since then means that the funds are now worth more than $20.4 million at today’s market price.

Cryptocurrency lovers have a particular interest in coins mined before the mysterious bitcoin founder vanished on December 12, 2010. The coins are now referred to as the Satoshi Era Bitcoins. The interest arises from the belief that wallets created during this period belong to Satoshi Nakamoto, or his close associates.

There are hundreds of bitcoin wallet addresses that have remained inactive in the last decade, according to data from BitInfoCharts. The most valuable dormant wallet contains about 80,000 BTC, worth more than $3 billion at current market prices.

Both last year and this year, several dormant Bitcoin wallets from 2011-2013 became activated, carrying tens of millions of dollars in the flagship cryptocurrency.

The top cryptocurrency is currently at $39,306 after topping out at $69,000 on Nov. 10.