Massive cryptocurrency sale: A Bitcoin investor offloads $9.5 billion worth of digital coins, initially bought for just $54,000 in 2014, in a recent transaction, generating an astonishing 18 million percent return.
In a significant move for the cryptocurrency market, a Bitcoin whale sold approximately 80,000 BTC, worth around $9.5 billion, on July 18, 2025. This sale, one of the largest whale sell-offs ever recorded, was made amid Bitcoin’s price reaching new all-time highs.
The Bitcoin in question was initially purchased in 2011 for around $54,000 per BTC. This long-term holding spanned 14 years, illustrating extreme patience and conviction. The whale's investment had a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 145%, resulting in an extraordinary return of about 18 million percent.
The sale contributed to increased market volatility in July and August 2025. The aggregate effect of whale sales in late July was significant, with total whale BTC sales exceeding $3.45 billion within a week in mid-August. This plunge was exacerbated by leveraged positions liquidations and macroeconomic uncertainty.
Some Bitcoin whales shifted their holdings to Ethereum during this period, acquiring tens of thousands of ETH worth hundreds of millions of USD, reflecting portfolio rebalancing or diversification strategies.
Timeline of Events
The whale's investment timeline is as follows:
- Early Investment (circa 2011): The whale purchased about 80,000 BTC at roughly $54,000 (all-time adjusted cost basis, presumably early accumulation, possibly a rare early accumulation if factoring inflation-adjusted USD value or other assumptions).
- July 2025 Sale: The whale sold $9.5 billion worth of Bitcoin (80,000 BTC based on reported volume), representing a major liquidity event aimed at taking profit after Bitcoin’s sharp rise to $122K+ levels.
- August 2025: Additional whale BTC sales occurred, pushing Bitcoin prices down by 7-9.5% from their recent highs around $124,500.
- August 2025: Shift to Ethereum by BTC whales, acquiring tens of thousands of ETH worth hundreds of millions of USD.
Key Context
- Bitcoin whales typically hold large volumes and their moves often influence price action.
- The July 2025 $9.5 billion sale was associated with long-term holders capitalizing on bullish cycles.
- These large movements coincide with peak Bitcoin prices (over $120K), followed by market corrections.
- Whales also engage in asset reallocation, such as moving funds into Ethereum.
This history highlights the profound impact of whale transactions on Bitcoin price dynamics in 2025, showing how large strategic sales provide liquidity and can trigger broader market reactions amid macro uncertainty and leveraged trading activity.
It is not known if more whales will liquidate their crypto before July is out. If another similar transaction occurs in short order, long-term holders may reconsider their decisions.
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