Bitcoin Holders Break Silence: 4.6 Million Dormant Coins Spring Back to Life in 2025

In the first week of November, bitcoin‘s price dipped 5.68%, adding to October’s 3.69% slide. The chatter this year has centered on long-resting coins suddenly waking up—something many believe has kept the market moving sideways all year. Onchain analyst James Check reports that roughly 4.64 million BTC have come back to life in 2025 after snoozing in dormant wallets.

A Look at Dormant Wallet Moves in 2025

Plenty of theories have been tossed around about why bitcoin ( BTC) has been stuck in neutral through 2025 after hitting that $100,000 milestone. Some point to market manipulation and the so-called “paper BTC” effect, while others whisper about the “silent IPO” theory making the rounds lately.

This particular theory suggests that longtime holders are cashing out now that BTC has “made it,” treating the milestone as if the asset just went public, and its time to take profits. Data shared by onchain analyst James Check, better known as “Checkmate,” shows that 4.64 million BTC—worth more than $500 billion—has awakened from dormant wallets this year alone.

Stats via Checkmates checkonchain.com.

The bulk of that activity came from wallets aged six months to one year, which moved 1,979,864 BTC, making them the heavyweight champions of the dormant-wallet comeback. Addresses holding coins for one to two years saw 855,519 BTC spring to life, while those in the two- to three-year range moved 458,859 BTC. Wallets aged three to five years werent far behind, shifting 966,463 BTC.

The old-timers joined in too—holders from the five- to seven-year bracket moved 223,401 BTC, and another 155,995 BTC came from wallets aged seven to ten years. Those ancient relics are worth a cool $15.89 billion at today‘s exchange rates. While this year’s dormant spending takes the crown in U.S. dollar value, its not the biggest when measured in pure BTC movement.

Back in 2017, over 7 million BTC changed hands, and 2024 saw 6.8 million BTC move—so 2025 still has some catching up to do before the final block of the year is mined. Whether it‘s profit-taking, market gamesmanship, or a “silent IPO” in disguise, 2025’s wave of awakened coins has kept traders guessing. With nearly two months left in the year, bitcoins next move could turn this sleepy sideways stretch into a headline-worthy finale.