After $9.5B Bitcoin Whale Exit, Will Ethereum and XRP Be Next?

Bitcoin Whale Sells 80,000 BTC After 14 Years, Secures $9.5 Billion Profit: Eyes on Ethereum and XRP?

A Bitcoin whale wallet that had remained untouched for nearly 14 years has shaken the cryptocurrency market, executing one of the largest profit-taking events in Bitcoin’s history. According to on-chain data from Lookonchain, this historic move involved the complete liquidation of over 80,000 BTC, generating a staggering $9.5 billion profit at an average selling price of $118,834 per coin.

What has captured global attention is not just the sheer scale of the transaction but also its timing, coinciding with Bitcoin’s steady upward momentum during the ongoing crypto bull run of 2025.

Source: X

From Dormancy to Billions: Inside the 80,000 BTC Sell-Off

Originally accumulated in April 2011 when Bitcoin was trading around $0.78, this Bitcoin whale’s wallet remained inactive, split into eight separate addresses with meticulous precision, while the crypto world evolved dramatically over the years. The wallet’s awakening on July 4, 2025, led to speculation that it might be connected to Bitcoin’s mysterious creator, Satoshi Nakamoto, who reportedly holds over 1.1 million BTC across early addresses.

While there is no concrete evidence linking this wallet to Satoshi, the timing of the transaction—taking advantage of Bitcoin’s strong price action—points to a calculated move by a highly sophisticated investor.

Source: CoinMarketCap

During a three-day offloading phase, 40,192 BTC valued at $4.83 billion were transferred to Galaxy Digital for liquidation, completing the sale of the entire 80,202 BTC stash. This well-executed exit demonstrates the strategic acumen of early Bitcoin holders, transforming an initial investment of around $132,000 into a profit of more than $9.5 billion, representing a mind-boggling 72,000x return.

Bitcoin’s Price Stability and Market Overview

Despite the monumental sell-off, Bitcoin’s price has shown resilience, indicating a strong underlying demand in the market. At the time of the final transaction, Bitcoin traded at approximately $120,075, reflecting a 1.50% increase within 24 hours. The global cryptocurrency market cap has reached a new milestone, crossing $4 trillion for the first time in history, with a daily trading volume of $49.92 billion.

Analysts suggest that Bitcoin’s price could be poised for a further rally if it successfully holds above the $121,000 mark, with projections pointing toward a potential move to $132,000, setting a new all-time high.

Shifting the Spotlight: Is the Whale Moving to Ethereum and XRP?

Following the whale’s exit from Bitcoin, attention within the crypto market has quickly pivoted to leading altcoins, particularly Ethereum and XRP. Market observers believe that part of the $9.5 billion realized from the BTC sale could be reinvested into these altcoins, signaling the possibility of a broader market rotation.

Ethereum, in particular, has witnessed a robust surge, climbing 8% within 24 hours to $3,613, with a weekly gain of 22% and a monthly rise of 42%. The asset’s market capitalization stands at $436.23 billion, with a 24-hour trading volume of $53.74 billion.

Source: X

The market has noted two newly created wallets withdrawing a combined 206,000 ETH (worth approximately $745 million) from Kraken and FalconX, hinting at a potential shift in strategy by the whale or other institutional players capitalizing on Ethereum’s bullish momentum.

Additionally, significant institutional purchases by entities like World Liberty and BitMine are contributing to Ethereum’s rally. World Liberty recently acquired 70,143 ETH for $251 million, while BitMine purchased 137,515 ETH for $476 million, increasing its holdings to over 300,657 ETH, valued at $1.04 billion.

Meanwhile, XRP has demonstrated impressive performance, rallying 18% in a single day to $3.60. The token has risen by 40% over the past week and by 66% over the last month, with analysts suggesting that it could be benefiting from renewed whale interest and the ongoing bullish sentiment across the crypto market.

Altcoin Season and Shifting Market Sentiment

The awakening of this whale wallet and the subsequent BTC liquidation has coincided with what many now consider the formal start of the 2025 crypto bull run. The global crypto market’s historic crossing of the $4 trillion cap has strengthened investor confidence, with altcoins increasingly taking center stage.

According to crypto market analyst Ali Martinez, Bitcoin’s ability to sustain above $121,000 will be critical for its next leg upward toward $132,000. The positive sentiment surrounding Bitcoin’s price stability, despite significant whale sell-offs, indicates a maturing market that can absorb large transactions without dramatic volatility.

Source: X

This shift in whale focus toward Ethereum and XRP is being interpreted as a signal of the emerging altcoin season, where leading alternative cryptocurrencies could outperform Bitcoin in the short to medium term.

Broader Implications for the Crypto Ecosystem

The whale’s $9.5 billion cash-out is more than a financial event; it underscores the viability of cryptocurrencies as a long-term investment vehicle capable of generating transformative wealth. The ongoing transition of these funds into altcoins reflects the market’s evolution from a Bitcoin-centric ecosystem toward a diversified crypto financial system.

Ethereum’s strong fundamentals, driven by its role in decentralized finance (DeFi) and non-fungible tokens (NFTs), position it as a logical next step for investors seeking exposure beyond Bitcoin. Similarly, XRP’s potential for cross-border payments and institutional adoption makes it an attractive alternative for large-scale investors.

As institutional interest continues to grow, these developments may set the stage for the next chapter in cryptocurrency adoption, where digital assets move from speculative investments to integrated financial instruments within mainstream portfolios.

Conclusion

The historic sell-off of 80,000 BTC from a dormant whale wallet, generating a record-breaking $9.5 billion profit, marks a pivotal moment in the crypto industry. The move’s timing, coinciding with Bitcoin’s bullish momentum and the broader crypto market’s unprecedented growth, has captured the attention of investors worldwide.

As Ethereum and XRP emerge as strong contenders for reinvestment, the market is witnessing a significant sentiment shift, signaling the onset of an altcoin season that could redefine portfolio strategies for institutional and retail investors alike.

With the crypto market entering a new phase of maturity, these developments highlight the resilience, adaptability, and potential of digital assets in shaping the future of global finance.

Writer @Ellena

Ellena is an experienced crypto writer who loves to explore the intersection of blockchain technology and financial markets. She regularly provides insights into the latest trends and innovations in the digital currency space.

 

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