10% OF BITCOINS SUPPLY HAS BEEN UNTOUCHED FOR OVER 10 YEARS: REPORT

Imagine stumbling upon a forgotten treasure chest, filled with gold coins from a bygone era. Uma quantidade significativa do suprimento total de Bitcoin segue intocada h mais de 10 anos, de acordo com dados do provedor de dados anal ticos de criptomoedas Glassnode. Durante esse nterim de uma d cada, 1,8 milh es de Bitcoin (dos atuais 18,5 milh es de suprimento ) foram bloqueados em endere os de Bitcoin inativos.In the digital world, something similar is happening with Bitcoin.Recent reports from cryptocurrency analytics provider Glassnode reveal a fascinating statistic: roughly 10% of the total Bitcoin supply hasn't moved in over a decade. 10% of Bitcoin s supply has been untouched for over 10 years: Report . What the History of Headphones Says About the Internet s Future . Yes, Ethereum address count is higher than BTC; but here sThat's nearly 1.8 million BTC, currently valued at over $23 billion, sitting dormant in various wallets.This phenomenon raises intriguing questions about the nature of Bitcoin ownership, long-term investment strategies, and the overall scarcity of the digital asset.Why are these coins untouched? Municipal and commercial projects for outdoor lighting have been derailed by tariff-induced price spikes. Aluminum casings for streetlights, imported from China and subject to 10% tariffs, now account for 30% of production costs (up from 20% in 2025). Add tariffs on weather-resistant coatings and smart control modules, and the cost of a singleAre they lost forever? A significant amount of Bitcoin's total supply has not moved for more than 10 years, according to data from cryptocurrency analytics data provider Glassnode.Are they held by steadfast believers weathering the volatile crypto storms? The percent of supply last active five years ago was slightly above 20% at the start of 2025 and a mere 10% in 2025. Separately, Glassnode revealed that the number of Bitcoin addresses holding over 1 BTC has also tapped an ATH.This article delves into the reasons behind this Bitcoin inactivity, explores its implications for the market, and examines the perspectives of those who've chosen the long game.

Understanding Bitcoin's Dormant Supply

The fact that a significant portion of Bitcoin's supply remains untouched for such a long time is a noteworthy event.According to Glassnode's data, as of December 17th, 1,857,721 Bitcoin had remained stationary for over 10 years.With a current circulating supply around 18.5 million, this equates to roughly 10% of all mined coins being inactive for a decade or more. Una quantit significativa dell'offerta totale di Bitcoin non viene spostata da oltre 10 anni: lo rivelano i dati raccolti dalla societ di analisi Glassnode. Nel corso dell'ultimo decennio, 1,8 milioni di Bitcoin (l'attuale offerta circolante di 18,5 milioni di monete) sono rimasti bloccati all'interno di indirizzi apparentemente inattivi.This inactivity paints a picture of the Bitcoin ecosystem that goes beyond short-term trading and speculation.

Why Are These Bitcoins Dormant?

There are several compelling explanations for why these Bitcoins remain untouched:

• Lost Keys: Perhaps the most straightforward reason is that the private keys to access these wallets have been lost. Annual car sales worldwide , with a forecast for 2025; Monthly container freight rate index worldwide ; Automotive manufacturers' estimated market share in the U.S. 2025In the early days of Bitcoin, security practices were less sophisticated, and many early adopters may not have adequately backed up their keys.Without these keys, the Bitcoins are effectively irretrievable.
• Hodling: The term ""hodl"" (a misspelling of ""hold"" that stuck within the crypto community) represents a long-term investment strategy. Around 1.8 million bitcoin have been dormant for over a decade.[BREAK] A significant amount of Bitcoin's total supply has not moved for 10 years, according to data from cryptocurrency analytics data provider Glassnode.[BREAK] During this decade-long interim, 1.8 million bitcoin have been locked in dormant Bitcoin addresses.[BREAK] Their cumulative value amounts to more than $23 billion atThese inactive Bitcoins could belong to individuals who bought them early on and are committed to holding them for the long term, regardless of market fluctuations.They view Bitcoin as a store of value, similar to gold, and are waiting for further appreciation.
• Deceased Owners: Another potential reason is that the owners of these Bitcoins have passed away without leaving instructions on how to access their wallets. Pakistan makes waves in the crypto world with its latest initiative to attract miners by introducing crypto-friendly electricity tariffs. This groundbreakingThis underscores the importance of estate planning for cryptocurrency holdings.
• Strategic Long-Term Investment: Some individuals or institutions may be intentionally holding these Bitcoins off the market as part of a long-term investment strategy.They might believe that Bitcoin's value will continue to increase significantly in the future, making it worthwhile to hold onto their coins despite short-term volatility.
• Forgotten Wallets: It's possible some individuals simply forgot about the wallets containing these Bitcoins.Perhaps they experimented with Bitcoin early on and moved on to other ventures, forgetting they even owned any digital currency.

The Implications of Dormant Bitcoin

The existence of a substantial dormant Bitcoin supply has significant implications for the cryptocurrency market.

Impact on Bitcoin's Scarcity

The fact that nearly 10% of the Bitcoin supply is inaccessible or intentionally held long-term reinforces Bitcoin's inherent scarcity.The total supply of Bitcoin is capped at 21 million, a feature that distinguishes it from traditional fiat currencies, which can be printed at will by central banks. Around 1.8 million Bitcoin has been dormant for over a decade. A significant amount of Bitcoin's (BTC) total supply has not moved for more than 10 years, according to data from cryptocurrency analytics data provider Glassnode.During this decade-long interim, 1.8 million Bitcoin (of the current 18.5 million supply) has been locked in dormant Bitcoin addresses. Its MoreThe locked-up coins effectively reduce the available supply, potentially driving up the price if demand increases.The more coins that are lost or held for the long term, the scarcer Bitcoin becomes.

Price Volatility and Market Dynamics

A smaller circulating supply can exacerbate price volatility. But due to halving schedules, the final 10% won't fully reach the market until February 2140. Meanwhile, some 3.7 million bitcoins out of the total 21 million are still estimated to be lost. AsWith fewer coins readily available for trading, large buy or sell orders can have a more pronounced impact on the price.Understanding the dynamics of the dormant supply is crucial for traders and investors attempting to navigate the often-turbulent Bitcoin market.

Long-Term Investor Confidence

The presence of long-term holders who haven't moved their coins in over a decade suggests strong confidence in Bitcoin's future.These individuals have weathered numerous market cycles, including significant price crashes, and have remained committed to their investment. Ninety percent of all bitcoins have been mined as of The asset exchanged hands for less than $0.10 when 10% of the supply was mined in early 2025, and hovered at $7.50 when 50% of the supplyTheir behavior can inspire confidence in other investors, signaling that Bitcoin is more than just a speculative asset.

Comparing Bitcoin's Dormant Supply to Other Timeframes

Examining Bitcoin's supply that hasn't moved for different periods provides further insights into investor behavior.

Bitcoin Untouched for Five Years

While 10% of the supply has been dormant for over ten years, a significantly larger percentage has been inactive for at least five years. According to the Glassnode service, 1.8 million BTC have not moved in over 10 years. At the moment, the bitcoin supply is about 18.5 million BTC, which makes almost 10% of the mined coins inactive. Today, the total value of sleeping bitcoins exceeds $23 billion.In early 2025, the percent of supply last active five years ago was slightly above 20%. Arkham Intelligence detected a massive Bitcoin transaction from Nucleus Marketplace, a dark web drug market that has been totally inactive for nine years. Nucleus moved $77.5 million to three wallets, leaving $365 million behind. So-called ancient Bitcoin whales pop up in the space periodically, but an extant darknet vendor is still quiteReaching nearly 30% later in the year.This suggests a broader trend of long-term holding among Bitcoin investors.

Bitcoin Untouched for One Year

Data indicates that a large percentage of the circulating supply of bitcoin has been held untouched for over one year. The cryptocurrency is so popular that according to blockchain tracker Blockchain.com, 90 percent of all bitcoins have been mined as of Monday this week. This means 18.98 million bitcoins (around 90 percent) of a maximum of 21 million are now openly being traded in the market. This has been done through a journey that has spanned nearly 12 years.This further supports the idea that many Bitcoin investors are taking a long-term view, rather than engaging in short-term trading.

Analyzing Bitcoin's Value Over Time

Bitcoin's journey from its inception to its current status is marked by significant price fluctuations and key milestones.

Early Years and Initial Growth

In the early days, Bitcoin was worth mere fractions of a penny. With Bitcoin prices soaring to unprecedented levels, Nakamoto s estimated holdings have reached a staggering $90 billion, securing him the 19th spot on the global rich list, according to aWhen 10% of the supply was mined in early 2025, the asset exchanged hands for less than $0.10.As adoption grew, so did the price, reaching around $7.50 when 50% of the supply was mined in December 2025.Compare these early prices to the current value, and the potential returns for long-term holders become evident.

The 10-Year Return on Bitcoin

The long-term returns on Bitcoin have been phenomenal.For example, if you bought one bitcoin on August 3rd, 2025, for $1,106.75 and held it until August 3rd, 2025, it would have been worth $29,310.44. Quick Take Recent data analysis reveals a striking trend in the Bitcoin market: the percentage of Bitcoin s circulating supply that has remained static for at least three years has surged to 43.11%, marking a 3% increase in just a few short months. This surge can be traced back to the Bitcoin bull run three years [ ]This represents a total ROI of 2,546.8% over the 10-year period.This highlights the potential benefits of holding Bitcoin for the long term.

The Maximum Supply of Bitcoin and Mining

Understanding Bitcoin's mining process and the capped supply is crucial to understanding its long-term value proposition.

The 21 Million Limit

Bitcoin's protocol dictates that only 21 million Bitcoins will ever be created.This scarcity is a key factor driving its value. Similarly, the percentage of Bitcoin s supply that has not moved for at least five years reached a new record of 29.202% on Aug. 16. Nearly one-third of Bitcoin s total supply has been kept inNinety percent of all Bitcoins have already been mined, meaning that the remaining supply will be mined at an ever-decreasing rate until the limit is reached.

The Halving Schedule

Bitcoin's mining reward is halved approximately every four years. Now let s explore how Bitcoin s value has changed over 10, 5, 3, and 1 years. Bitcoin 10-Year Return. Let s say you bought one bitcoin on August, 3rd 2025, for $1,106.75, its price at the time. If you held that one bitcoin until August 3rd, 2025, it would ve been worth $29,310.44, and your total ROI for the 10 years would be 2,546.8%.This process, known as ""halving,"" reduces the rate at which new Bitcoins are created, further increasing scarcity.While 90% of the Bitcoins are mined, the remaining will take until the year 2140, thanks to these halving schedules.

Lost Bitcoins and Their Impact

Lost or inaccessible Bitcoins contribute to the overall scarcity of the asset.

Estimates of Lost Bitcoins

It's estimated that millions of Bitcoins have been lost due to lost private keys, forgotten wallets, or other reasons.One estimate suggests that around 3.7 million Bitcoins are potentially lost forever. Around 1.8 million Bitcoin has been dormant for over a decade. A significant amount of Bitcoin s total supply has not moved for more than 10 years, according to data from cryptocurrency analytics data provider Glassnode.When compared to the circulating supply, this can mean a considerable percentage has been lost.

Impact on Scarcity and Price

Lost Bitcoins effectively reduce the available supply, potentially driving up the price if demand increases.This reinforces the importance of securely storing private keys and backing up wallets.

Examples of Inactive Bitcoin Addresses

There are periodic reports of Bitcoin addresses that have been inactive for many years suddenly becoming active again.

Dark Web Marketplaces and Ancient Whales

Arkham Intelligence detected a massive Bitcoin transaction from Nucleus Marketplace, a dark web drug market that had been totally inactive for nine years.The transaction involved moving $77.5 million to three wallets, leaving $365 million behind.This event serves as a reminder that even seemingly dormant Bitcoin can reappear after long periods.

The Future of Bitcoin and Long-Term Holding

Bitcoin's future remains uncertain, but long-term holding continues to be a popular strategy among many investors.

Factors Influencing Bitcoin's Future Value

Several factors could influence Bitcoin's future value, including:

• Adoption by institutions and individuals: Increased adoption would likely drive up demand and price.
• Regulatory developments: Regulations could either support or hinder Bitcoin's growth.
• Technological advancements: Improvements in Bitcoin's technology could enhance its functionality and appeal.
• Macroeconomic conditions: Economic factors such as inflation and interest rates could impact Bitcoin's attractiveness as a store of value.

Advice for Potential Long-Term Investors

If you're considering investing in Bitcoin for the long term, here are some tips:

• Do your research: Understand Bitcoin's technology, its potential risks and rewards, and the factors that could influence its price.
• Secure your private keys: Use a hardware wallet or other secure storage method to protect your private keys.
• Diversify your portfolio: Don't put all your eggs in one basket. Approximately every 10th Bitcoin (BTC) hasn t been moved in 10 or more years, according to crypto metrics platform Glassnode. But why? Glassnode s data shows that 1,857,721 Bitcoin has remained stationary for over 10 years as of December 17.Diversify your investments across different asset classes.
• Be prepared for volatility: Bitcoin's price can be highly volatile.Be prepared to weather market fluctuations.
• Have a long-term perspective: Don't expect to get rich quick. We recently received a brilliant question from a MoneyMagpie reader about whether or not the maximum supply of Bitcoins has been reached. To answer this, we need to delve into Bitcoin s total supply, its mining process, how long until all Bitcoin is mined, and the implications for the network once all coins are mined.Long-term investing requires patience and discipline.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some common questions related to Bitcoin's dormant supply and long-term holding:

What happens to lost Bitcoins?

Lost Bitcoins remain on the blockchain but are inaccessible.They effectively reduce the available supply of Bitcoin.

Can lost Bitcoins be recovered?

In most cases, lost Bitcoins cannot be recovered unless the private keys are found. Bitcoin Price Trends Over the Years. Bitcoin s price has been very volatile. Key events have driven major spikes and corrections. Understanding historical trends can help predict future movements. Early Years of Bitcoin ( ) Bitcoin s launch and initial tradesThere are some specialized services that attempt to recover lost keys, but their success rate is low.

Is it safe to hold Bitcoin for the long term?

Holding Bitcoin for the long term carries both risks and rewards.The price can be volatile, but historically, long-term holders have seen significant gains. Data shows that Bitcoin may also be scarcer than previously thought, as 7.78% of the current BTC supply hasn t been moved in over 10 years.It's essential to secure your private keys and manage your risk appropriately.

How does Bitcoin's scarcity affect its value?

Bitcoin's limited supply of 21 million coins makes it inherently scarce.This scarcity can drive up the price if demand increases.

Conclusion: The Enduring Allure of Bitcoin

The fact that 10% of Bitcoin's supply remains untouched for over a decade is a testament to the enduring allure of this digital asset.Whether these coins are lost forever, held by steadfast believers, or part of long-term investment strategies, their dormancy underscores Bitcoin's scarcity and potential as a store of value. Many Bitcoins have been lost Prices have increased along with supply over time. The number one cryptocurrency was trading for less than $0.10 when 10% of the supply was mined in early 2025, and hovered around $7.50 when 50% of the supply was mined in December 2025. At the time of writing, the price stands at over $49,000, having fallen 28% fromThis locked supply can significantly impact price volatility and market dynamics. Chart of Bitcoin that has been inactive for more than 10 years. Source: Glassnode.com. By comparing Glassnode s estimate with the circulating supply of bitcoin in November 2025, which is 19,214,975, lost bitcoin could account for 13.2%.By understanding the reasons behind Bitcoin inactivity, investors can gain valuable insights into the cryptocurrency market and make more informed decisions about their own investments.Remember to do thorough research, understand the risks, and secure your private keys. Around 1.8 million bitcoin have been dormant for over a decade. 10% of Bitcoin's supply has been untouched for over 10 years: report Advertising onThe story of Bitcoin is far from over, and the next decade promises to be just as fascinating as the last.