Halloween DealsAmazon USHalloween week deals: useful picks before month-endAmazon US: current deals, useful picks and tech finds.Check DealsClean PCRecommendedOne scan can reveal what keeps slowing WindowsLook for cleanup and repair opportunities.Run ScanHalloween DealsAmazon USOctober picks are moving - compare before checkoutAmazon US: current deals, useful picks and tech finds.See Picks×
FREEDOM251

Freedom251 › Blog › Bitcoin

Bitcoin Mined for Pennies in 2010 Moves After 16 Years, Now Worth About $8.5 Million

By Freedom251 Team · · 3 min read

What’s actually slowing this PC down?

Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

On October 7, 2026, 100.02 BTC that had sat untouched since July 30, 2010 moved in a transaction confirmed at 18:52 UTC, according to CoinDesk. CoinDesk put the batch at roughly $8.5 million at its publication-time prices (October 8, 2026). When the coins arrived in 2010, Bitcoin traded at around six cents, so the same 100.02 BTC was worth about $6. The transfer shows the coins were spent. It does not show who now controls them, whether they were sold, or what the holder gained.

What moved on October 7, 2026

CoinDesk traced the coins to two mining rewards created in July 2010: one worth 50 BTC and another worth 50.02 BTC including transaction fees. Together they make up the 100.02 BTC that was spent in the October 7 transaction. The transaction split those coins across two destination addresses.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Role in transaction Amount Status reported by CoinDesk
July 2010 mining reward 50 BTC Created July 2010; spent in the October 7, 2026 transaction
July 2010 mining reward (includes fees) 50.02 BTC Created July 2010; spent in the October 7, 2026 transaction
Destination address one 10 BTC Unspent when CoinDesk checked on October 8, 2026
Destination address two About 90.02 BTC Unspent when CoinDesk checked on October 8, 2026

CoinDesk did not identify who controls either destination address, and the public record does not say whether the holder intends to sell. Describing the movement as a sale would go beyond the reporting.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Reading the value comparison

The two valuation figures come from different sources and describe different moments. The 2010 figure uses historical pricing data that CoinDesk attributed to StatMuse. The 2026 figure is CoinDesk’s estimate at its publication-time prices.

#1 Best Overall
Bitkey Bitcoin Hardware Wallet, No Screen - Self-Custody, No Seed Phrase
  • BITCOIN EXCLUSIVE, PHONE VERIFICATION: Bitkey is designed from the ground up exclusively for bitcoin — a dedicated hardware wallet for secure bitcoin storage. Approve transactions with a tap using your phone and NFC. No device screen is required.
  • SELF-CUSTODY, NO EXCHANGE OR CUSTODIAN REQUIRED: You hold two of the three keys in the Bitkey system – one on your phone and one on your Bitkey device. The third is stored on Bitkey’s server and cannot move your bitcoin on its own.
  • NO SEED PHRASE: Set up and use Bitkey without creating or storing a seed phrase.
  • 2-of-3 MULTISIG: Three keys are stored separately across your phone, Bitkey device, and Bitkey’s server. Any two keys are required to move your bitcoin.
  • BUILT-IN RECOVERY: Encrypted backup and recovery tools can help you regain access if you lose your phone or Bitkey device. You can also designate a Recovery Contact.
Point in time Bitcoin price (as reported) Value of 100.02 BTC Basis
July 30, 2010 (coins received) About six cents per BTC About $6 Historical pricing data cited by CoinDesk (StatMuse)
October 8, 2026 (publication) About $85,000 per BTC, implied by dividing the reported total by 100.02 BTC Roughly $8.5 million CoinDesk estimate at publication-time prices

Both figures are market-value estimates. Neither is a purchase price, a cost basis, or a sale price, so the gap between them is not a realized profit. The 2026 number is also a snapshot that will change with the market. Any reader quoting it should keep the October 8, 2026 date attached.

Why an address with older activity does not change the story

CoinDesk reported that an address associated with these coins had other spending activity in 2015, 2017 and 2018. That does not mean the specific 100.02 BTC moved in those years. Bitcoin records each incoming payment separately as an unspent transaction output (UTXO), and an address can spend one payment while another remains untouched.

Rank #2
Trezor Safe 3 Crypto Hardware Wallet with Secure Element | Cosmic Black, Cold Storage for Bitcoin & Other Digital Assets, EAL6+ Secure Chip, PIN & Passphrase, Open-Source, Easy Setup
  • Unparalleled Security: Protect your assets NDA-free EAL 6+ Secure Element, offering robust defense and complete transparency
  • Simple & Secure Interface: Manage your digital assets easily with a clear OLED screen for secure on-device confirmations
  • Supports 1000s of Coins & Tokens: Securely handle thousands of assets, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and more, all in one wallet
  • Effortless Asset Management: Monitor and transact seamlessly with Trezor Suite, our intuitive desktop and mobile app
  • Enhanced Backup Solution: Rest assured with Multi-share Backup, eliminating single points of failure for secure cold wallet recovery

A simplified illustration: if an address received one payment in 2010 and a second payment in 2017, spending the 2017 payment would leave the 2010 payment exactly where it was. The earlier activity and the 2010 coins can coexist on the same address without being the same coins.

Free tools Windows power users keep installed

One-click scans. No signup required.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Galaxy Research, which CoinDesk said first flagged the movement, wrote on X: “This address has been somewhat active in the past, but these specific coins have not moved since 2010. We track the coins.” CoinDesk did not name an individual behind that post, so the statement should be attributed to Galaxy Research.

Rank #3
Trezor Safe 3 Crypto Hardware Wallet with Secure Element | Solar Gold, Cold Storage for Bitcoin & Other Digital Assets, EAL6+ Secure Chip, PIN & Passphrase, Open-Source, Easy Setup
  • Unparalleled Security: Protect your assets with EAL 6+ Secure Element, offering robust defense and complete transparency
  • Simple & Secure Interface: Manage your digital assets easily with a clear OLED screen for secure on-device confirmations
  • Supports 1000s of Coins & Tokens: Securely handle thousands of assets, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and more, all in one wallet
  • Effortless Asset Management: Monitor and transact seamlessly with Trezor Suite, our intuitive desktop and mobile app
  • Enhanced Backup Solution: Multi-share Backup eliminates single points of failure for secure cold wallet recovery

What the “Satoshi era” label means

“Satoshi era” refers to a period when Bitcoin’s creator, Satoshi Nakamoto, was still active in the project. It describes timing only. The age of the coins does not establish that Nakamoto mined them, and the record does not identify the owner of the destination addresses.

What the transfer shows and what it leaves open

  • Shown: 100.02 BTC from two July 2010 mining rewards was spent in a transaction confirmed at 18:52 UTC on October 7, 2026, and the holder had the ability to spend it.
  • Shown: Both destination outputs (10 BTC and about 90.02 BTC) were still unspent when CoinDesk checked on October 8, 2026.
  • Not established: the identity of the holder or the destination addresses’ controllers.
  • Not established: whether the coins were sold, or what sale proceeds or realized gain, if any, resulted.
  • Not established: any connection between the miner and Satoshi Nakamoto.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

How to check the transaction yourself

  1. Open mempool.space, the block explorer that CoinDesk linked to in its report.
  2. Search for the transaction using the transaction ID or the destination address. CoinDesk’s article gives the confirmation time, which you can use to find the right transaction.
  3. Confirm the two outputs: one of 10 BTC and one of about 90.02 BTC.
  4. Check the inputs to confirm they trace to 2010 mining rewards of 50 BTC and 50.02 BTC.
  5. Note the date you checked. Explorers show the current state, and an output that was unspent on October 8 may have been spent since then.

The story is a record of coins changing hands on-chain, with an estimated value at a specific date. The explorer can confirm the movement, but it cannot tell you who moved it or why.

Best Value
Ledger Nano X - Classic Crypto Wallet with Bluetooth | Compact, go anywhere, 1.1" display. Desktop & iOS/Android compatible
  • Effortlessly build your crypto portfolio via the all in one Ledger Wallet app: buy, sell, send, receive, swap, stake and more across popular blockchains. 15,000+ coins & tokens in a single dashboard. Keep a close eye on the market. Compare service providers. Track performance. Get timely alerts. Build your portfolio with confidence.
  • Enjoy Bluetooth connectivity, iOS access, and hours of battery use with this mobile-first, secure backup signer. Freedom you can depend on.
  • Genuine Check: confirm your signer is authentic during setup with the Ledger Wallet app.
  • Protect your signer: keep it in mint condition at all times with a bespoke Pod or Case to avoid scratches and everyday wear and tear.
Rank #4
Trezor Safe 7 Crypto Hardware Wallet with Bluetooth for Android/iOS/Desktop | Charcoal Black, Aluminum Unibody, 2,5" TouchScreen, Wireless Charging, Quantum-Ready, IP54, Long-Lasting LiFePO? Battery
  • Dual-chip architecture for maximum protection: The next-gen, fully auditable TROPIC01 chip works alongside a certified EAL6+ Secure Element—completely NDA-free—to deliver radically transparent, industry-leading defense against physical attacks.
  • Quantum-ready security: Get protection against future threats with the first-ever hardware wallet designed with quantum-ready architecture.
  • See every detail with confidence: Our largest high-resolution color touchscreen makes it easy to navigate your assets, review transactions and manage your coins with clarity.
  • Wireless freedom with encrypted Bluetooth control: Manage, buy, swap and stake securely using Trezor Suite on desktop or mobile. Qi2-compatible wireless charging keeps your Trezor powered up. No cables required—security meets convenience.
  • Works seamlessly with Android, iOS and desktop: Connect wirelessly or via USB-C to your phone or computer. Manage your crypto anywhere with our companion Trezor Suite app.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Bitcoinblock explorerblockchaincrypto newscryptocurrencySatoshi Nakamoto

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Recommended PC Tool
Recommended PC Tool
Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?Free driver scan
Windows Errors? Fix Them Before They SpreadFree repair scan

Two free Windows tools

One Free Minute Could Fix That PC

Before you go - each of these free tools takes about a minute and tackles what quietly slows a Windows PC down.

Special offer. View Outbyte info, uninstall instructions, EULA, and Privacy Policy.