OG Bitcoin Holder Liquidates 2,500 BTC in 1.5 Months: From $1.66M to $265M Windfall

An early Bitcoin holder who received 5,000 BTC twelve years ago has accelerated liquidation efforts, selling another 500 BTC worth $47.77 million today. Since December 4, 2024, this OG has disposed of 2,500 BTC—half of the original stack—totaling approximately $265 million at an average price. The aggressive selling pace raises questions about market sentiment and long-term holder behavior.

The Numbers Tell an Extraordinary Story

Historic Acquisition and Explosive Gains

This holder’s original 5,000 BTC acquisition occurred twelve years ago when Bitcoin traded at $332 per coin, representing an initial value of just $1.66 million. Fast forward to today with BTC at $95,011.45, and the remaining 2,500 BTC alone are worth approximately $237 million. The total unrealized gains on the original position exceed 14,000%, transforming a $1.66 million investment into a multi-hundred-million-dollar portfolio.

Liquidation Timeline and Pattern

Period BTC Sold Approx. Value Average Price
Dec 4, 2024 - Jan 18, 2026 2,500 $265 million $106,000
Today (Jan 18, 2026) 500 $47.77 million $95,554
Remaining Holdings 2,500 ~$237 million N/A

The holder has been systematically reducing exposure over roughly 1.5 months, averaging sales of approximately 1,667 BTC per month. Today’s sale at $47.77 million represents a single-day transaction of significant scale in the broader market context.

What This Movement Signals

Market Timing Considerations

The liquidation began in early December 2024 and has continued through Bitcoin’s recent price volatility. The holder sold portions across a range of prices, with the latest transaction occurring as BTC hovers near $95,000—notably below the highs seen in recent weeks. This suggests either:

  • Predetermined selling schedules unrelated to price action
  • Opportunistic exits during volatility windows
  • Portfolio rebalancing decisions after extraordinary gains

Long-Holder Sentiment Shift

OG Bitcoin holders typically fall into two categories: those who hold indefinitely and those who eventually monetize. This holder’s decision to liquidate 50% of their original stack represents a meaningful shift from accumulation to distribution. The pace suggests confidence in current valuations rather than panic selling, as the holder is executing measured sales rather than market dumps.

Scale in Market Context

According to current data, Bitcoin’s 24-hour trading volume stands at approximately $16.3 billion. While the $265 million liquidation over 1.5 months represents material selling, it’s distributed across multiple transactions rather than concentrated, suggesting careful execution to minimize market impact.

What Happens Next

The remaining 2,500 BTC ($237 million at current prices) remain with the holder. The liquidation pattern provides several possible scenarios:

  • Continued systematic selling at current pace
  • Retention of remaining holdings as long-term portfolio allocation
  • Accelerated or decelerated sales based on market conditions
  • Possible diversification into other assets

The holder’s actions will likely be monitored closely by market participants tracking whale behavior, as early Bitcoin holders’ decisions often influence broader market sentiment.

The Bottom Line

This represents a textbook case of a mega-profitable early position being gradually monetized. A $1.66 million bet from twelve years ago has generated extraordinary wealth, and the holder is prudently converting portions into realized gains. The liquidation pattern—measured, systematic, and spread over weeks—suggests a disciplined approach rather than panic or market timing. With 2,500 BTC still held, this early adopter retains substantial Bitcoin exposure while securing life-changing capital. The broader significance lies not in any single transaction, but in the message it sends: even the most committed early believers eventually find reasons to take profits at these valuation levels.

BTC0,11%
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