Dormant Bitcoin worth $7.6 billion moved in 2026, but recent selling activity has cooled

News Editor

2026-08-29 17:03:35

Early Bitcoin holders have continued to move long-dormant coins this year, yet the pace has slowed sharply in recent months. Citing Decrypt’s Aug. 29 report and on-chain data, ABMedia said about 103,914 BTC that had been dormant for between five and 15 years have left long-term inactive addresses in 2026, with the total value put at roughly $7.6 billion in the report. The 8- to 10-year cohort was the most active, accounting for about 33,195 BTC returning to circulation. The report also highlighted several wallet-level examples. One wallet, untouched since August 2010 and dormant for 15.8 years, moved 20 BTC in May. Another address that had been inactive for 12.5 years transferred about 27 BTC on Aug. 10. ABMedia also referenced an earlier Chain News report about a seven-year dormant Bitcoin whale that moved $188 million. Still, the shorter-term trend points the other way. Dormant Bitcoin activity in the second quarter of 2026 fell to its lowest level since the third quarter of 2022. Galaxy analyst Thorn said dormant coin movement had dropped to a four-year low. After nearly two years of what the report described as a broad distribution phase, early holders appear to be slowing their sales, with dormant coin activity in 2026 expected to come in at less than half of 2025 levels.

Early Bitcoin holders are still waking up long-dormant coins, but the latest on-chain readings suggest the pace of that distribution wave has started to slow.

Citing Decrypt’s Aug. 29 report and on-chain data, ABMedia said large amounts of aged Bitcoin have returned to circulation in 2026, even as the recent rate of reactivation has fallen to a multi-year low.

More than 103,000 dormant BTC have moved in 2026

According to the data cited in the report, about 103,914 BTC worth roughly $7.6 billion have left long-term dormant addresses this year after sitting inactive for between five and 15 years. The 8- to 10-year age band was the most active, with about 33,195 BTC re-entering circulation.

The report also pointed to a pair of notable examples. One wallet, untouched since August 2010 and dormant for 15.8 years, moved 20 BTC in May. Another address that had been inactive for 12.5 years transferred about 27 BTC on Aug. 10.

ABMedia added that Chain News had previously reported a separate case involving a seven-year dormant Bitcoin whale that moved $188 million.

Second-quarter activity fell to the lowest level since Q3 2022

Viewed over a shorter time frame, the trend has shifted. The report said on-chain activity involving dormant Bitcoin in the second quarter of 2026 fell to its lowest level since the third quarter of 2022.

Galaxy analyst Thorn said the volume of dormant coin transfers had dropped to a four-year low. Taken as a whole, after nearly two years of what the report described as broad distribution, veteran Bitcoin holders are slowing their selling activity. Dormant coin activity in 2026 is expected to amount to less than half of the 2025 total.

Distribution continues, but the sell-side pace has eased

In the report’s framing, two developments are taking place at the same time. Early Bitcoin wealth is still gradually shifting from original holders to newer market participants or to consolidated wallets. At the same time, the slowdown in OG selling has been read by some market views as a constructive sign for Bitcoin’s long-term holder structure.

This article was originally published by Bit.Fan. For more cryptocurrency news and market insights, visit www.bit.fan.

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