Bitcoin News Today: Bitcoin Whale Moves 80,000 BTC to SegWit Addresses Amid Quantum Threat Concerns

On July 4, 2025, a significant movement of 80,000 BTC was recorded on the Bitcoin blockchain, drawn from eight dormant Satoshi-era wallets. Each wallet contained exactly 10,000 BTC, and the transactions were directed to SegWit addresses, a step widely interpreted as a measure to enhance security against potential quantum computing threats [1]. The move generated substantial speculation within the crypto community, with some theorizing that the transfer was linked to a breach or quantum attack concerns, although no concrete evidence has emerged to support these claims [1].

The funds were not immediately sent to exchanges, which is a common pattern for large holders seeking to avoid market disruption. Instead, a follow-up movement of 28,600 BTC occurred within 10 days, with 9,000 BTC later sold, potentially contributing to a 5% dip in Bitcoin’s price on July 15, when BTC fell from an all-time high of $123,000 [1]. The initial acquisition of these coins in 2011 cost the owner around $197,200 at the average price of $2.45 per BTC, and the current market value stands at approximately $9.44 billion [1].

Quantum computing poses a long-term risk to Bitcoin’s cryptographic protocols, particularly the Elliptic Curve Digital Signature Algorithm (ECDSA), which underpins wallet security. Vulnerable addresses include those using pay-to-public-key (P2PK) or reused pay-to-public-key hash (P2PKH), which expose public keys and may be exploitable by future quantum attacks. It is estimated that 5.9 million BTC—roughly 25% of the total supply—are held in such addresses [1]. The 80,000 BTC movement originated from P2PK addresses, which had not yet exposed public keys, making them relatively secure at the time of the initial transactions [1].

In response to these emerging threats, Bitcoin developers have proposed a Bitcoin Improvement Proposal (BIP) aimed at freezing and phasing out wallets at risk of quantum attacks. The initiative seeks to protect a significant portion of Bitcoin’s supply, including an estimated 1 million BTC reportedly controlled by Satoshi Nakamoto [1].

Blockchain analysis firm Arkham has identified the eight wallets as belonging to the same entity, sparking speculation about the identity of the “whale.” Some have pointed to Roger Ver, also known as “Bitcoin Jesus,” who was released on bail in June 2025, just before the movement. Ver, arrested in 2024 for tax evasion related to a $240 million Bitcoin sale, remains a prominent figure in early Bitcoin history [1]. Prior to the main BTC transfer, an unrelated wallet cluster had moved 10,000 Bitcoin Cash (BCH), raising questions about whether the activity was a test of access to private keys or an early sign of a potential breach [1].

Additionally, between July 1 and July 4, 2025, four OP_RETURN messages were embedded in the Bitcoin blockchain, including a legal notice and an ultimatum for the wallet owner to prove ownership by conducting an on-chain transaction by Sept. 30, 2025. Analysts have noted that while no evidence of a hack has been found, the messages are consistent with a spam campaign designed to provoke a reaction from the wallet’s owner [1]. Such campaigns often target dormant wallets, attempting to trick owners into revealing control.

While the movement of 80,000 BTC has generated considerable attention, it is crucial to distinguish between speculation and confirmed facts. The quantum threat to Bitcoin remains a theoretical concern, with experts estimating that practical quantum attacks—if they occur—may be decades away [1]. Nevertheless, the ongoing efforts to improve Bitcoin’s cryptographic resilience indicate a proactive approach from the development community to address future risks.

Source: [1] https://cointelegraph.com/explained/quantum-threat-to-bitcoin-80-000-btc-just-moved-after-14-years?utm_source=rss_feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss_partner_inbound