Roger Ver and Satoshi Nakamoto are the two most theoried names after a cluster of ancient Bitcoin wallets moved a staggering 80,000 BTC on July 4.
Author: Sahil Thakur
July 6, 2025 – A cluster of ancient Bitcoin wallets moved a staggering 80,000 BTC on July 4, reviving long-standing theories about the identity of Bitcoin’s most elusive early holders. The coins, worth over $8.6 billion at current market prices, were transferred to newly generated addresses after being dormant for more than 14 years.
The transfers, detected by on-chain analysts, began with two initial transactions totaling 20,000 BTC before a wave of additional movements emptied a series of legacy wallets linked to the same entity. The precise coordination and size of the transactions have fueled speculation that the coins could belong to a high-profile figure from Bitcoin’s early days—possibly Roger Ver or even Bitcoin’s pseudonymous creator, Satoshi Nakamoto.
The wallets in question were originally funded between April and August 2011, when Bitcoin was trading between $0.78 and $3.37. The owner’s decision to move all coins without causing market disruption has led observers to conclude the holder is highly sophisticated, with strong conviction and a long-term view of the asset.
The transaction represents the largest known single-day movement of coins aged over a decade, surpassing the previous record of 3,700 BTC. On-chain analysts noted that the new wallet addresses follow modern formats—possibly a security measure to future-proof the holdings against threats such as quantum computing.
Src: mempool.space
One of the prevailing theories ties the activity to Roger Ver, an early Bitcoin investor and prominent advocate who later became a supporter of Bitcoin Cash. Ver was recently arrested in Spain on charges related to alleged tax fraud and is facing potential extradition to the United States.
Some analysts have speculated that Ver may be preparing to use part of his Bitcoin holdings to reach a settlement with U.S. authorities. The idea that he retained a sizable BTC reserve—while actively promoting and holding Bitcoin Cash—has added controversy to the theory.
Others suggest the wallets could have been accessed or seized by the U.S. government, though there is no official confirmation that law enforcement is involved in the transfer.
Adding another layer to the mystery, Ripple co-founder Arthur Britto resurfaced on social media last month after 14 years of silence. Britto, who helped build the XRP Ledger alongside Jed McCaleb and David Schwartz, posted a cryptic message on X consisting of only a “face without mouth” emoji—prompting wild theories among crypto enthusiasts.
Britto’s sudden reappearance, coupled with the timing of the wallet movements, has led some to suggest a connection between him and Satoshi Nakamoto. Britto has remained almost entirely anonymous, never giving interviews or releasing verified photos, earning comparisons to Satoshi for his long-standing silence and cryptographic expertise.
Some XRP community members pointed to a timeline overlap: Satoshi’s last message was in April 2011, Britto created his Twitter account in August that same year, and both have maintained near-total public absence until now.
While Ripple CTO David Schwartz—another name sometimes floated in Satoshi speculation—has denied involvement, he previously acknowledged that such theories are “plausible.”
Beyond individual identities, some analysts believe the wallet cluster may simply belong to an early large-scale miner, potentially responsible for accumulating hundreds of thousands of BTC before 2012. If so, the transfers may have been triggered by security upgrades, estate planning, or institutional custodial shifts.
Despite the scale of the movement, there are no indications the BTC are being liquidated on exchanges. Bitcoin’s price has remained relatively stable since the transactions, suggesting either the whale intends to hold or is deploying a long-term sell strategy.
The reactivation of 14-year-old Bitcoin wallets has reignited one of the crypto industry’s longest-running debates: who holds the keys to Bitcoin’s earliest fortunes? Whether the 80,000 BTC belong to Roger Ver, Satoshi Nakamoto, Arthur Britto, or an anonymous miner, the event underscores the mystery and allure surrounding Bitcoin’s origins. For now, markets are watching—and waiting—for the next clue.
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