Transfer 2.565 BTC to Satoshi Nakamoto: An artistic act of tribute, destruction, and community consensus

A Bitcoin address that had been dormant for years was activated by a transfer worth approximately $150,000. Behind the cold data on the blockchain, a piece of performance art within the crypto community—centered on faith, culture, and collective narrative—is unfolding.

In February 2026, a long-standing genesis address associated with Bitcoin’s anonymous creator, Satoshi Nakamoto—1A1zP1eP5QGefi2DMPTfTL5SLmv7DivfNa—received a transfer of 2.565 BTC, valued at over $150,000 at the time. This increased the total balance of that address to about 57 BTC, worth roughly $4 million.

The community quickly offered interpretations, from the startling speculation of “Satoshi awakening” to cultural explanations like “digital sacrifice” and “network homage.” A variety of theories reveal that the crypto world’s core spirit extends beyond mere financial transactions.

Event Focus: An Extraordinary Transaction Sent into the “Void”

What makes this transfer unusual is its recipient—the Bitcoin genesis address. Since the Bitcoin network launched on January 3, 2009, this address has quietly held the original 50 BTC block reward, never spent.

Sending a significant asset to an address widely recognized as never to be spent is itself a symbolic act.

Crypto analyst StarPlatinum shared his view on X, suggesting this transaction is either a tribute or a form of destruction. Many community members agree, describing it as “sending Bitcoin into the void,” “a digital sacrifice,” or “a homage to the network’s origins.” Some humorously commented, “Every Bitcoin destroyed makes the remaining ones more valuable.” These interpretations point to one thing: in the eyes of some participants, the economic aspect of this transaction is downplayed, with cultural ritual taking precedence.

Historical Echoes: The Genesis Address Has Not Been the First to Receive “Gifts”

Transferring to Satoshi’s address is not without precedent. Historical records show this is more like an intermittent community ritual.

Just two days after Bitcoin’s 15th anniversary, in January 2024, an anonymous sender transferred 26.92 BTC to the same genesis address, worth about $1 million at the time. By June 2025, blockchain analytics firm Arkham Intelligence observed a small transfer of 0.185 BTC (around $20,000) into that address.

Table: Notable Past Transfers to Bitcoin’s Genesis Address

Earlier, in May 2020, a transfer of 50 BTC (mined in February 2009) after 11 years of dormancy sparked speculation about “Satoshi’s return.” However, blockchain experts analyzed the movement pattern and concluded it did not match the so-called “Patochi pattern,” ruling out the possibility of it being Satoshi himself.

Market Context: The Bitcoin World at the Time of the Transfer

This transfer occurred during a period of complex volatility in the Bitcoin market. According to Gate data, around the event, BTC price hovered near the critical $70,000 level.

As of February 9, 2026, Bitcoin was priced at $70,482.2, with a market cap of $1.41 trillion, accounting for 56.14% of the entire crypto market. The price had changed +1.69% in the past 24 hours.

From a broader perspective, Bitcoin’s network has achieved remarkable growth since its inception. It has processed over 1.12 billion transactions and settled transfers totaling $131.25 trillion. Its market cap once surpassed $2 trillion, overtaking silver. These figures depict a network that has evolved from a geek experiment into a global financial infrastructure.

Future Outlook: Institutional Waves and Price Predictions

Current market analyses present diverse viewpoints. A report from Nasdaq predicts Bitcoin could still surge to $100,000 in 2026, citing potential deeper rate cuts, clearer crypto regulations, and increased institutional holdings.

Research firm Galaxy notes that 2026 may be somewhat “chaotic,” but their long-term bullish outlook for Bitcoin is strengthening. They observe decreasing volatility and market characteristics increasingly aligned with traditional macro assets.

Table: Price Predictions and Analyses for Bitcoin (BTC) from Various Institutions

Aggregating these forecasts, the market’s average price prediction for Bitcoin in 2026 is approximately $70,791.3, with expected fluctuations between $57,340.95 and $91,320.77.

Cultural Deep Dive: Community Consensus Behind the Performance Art

Beyond price movements, the recurring transfers to the genesis address are fundamentally a unique cultural expression and ritual of consensus within the crypto community.

First, it’s a symbolic homage. Sending assets to the system’s creator—even if they may never receive it—is a collective acknowledgment and remembrance of the open-source spirit and founding ideals. It reinforces core narratives like “code is law” and “decentralization.”

Second, it’s an extreme declaration of value storage. By voluntarily placing highly liquid assets into a recognized “black hole” address, senders declare in an extreme way: they believe the Bitcoin network’s inherent store-of-value function is so strong that even “destroying” some can be offset by appreciation of the remaining.

Finally, it acts as a barometer of community sentiment. Such transfers often occur at key market junctures or around important community anniversaries. For example, the large transfer in January 2024, shortly after Bitcoin’s 15th anniversary, became a catalyst for community gathering, discussion, and identity reinforcement.

The balance of the genesis address continues to grow slowly, now approaching 57 BTC. This address is like an eternal monument on the network, with each sudden transfer akin to a devout newcomer adding a brick. On Gate’s price chart, Bitcoin’s price still fluctuates. Some, referencing Galaxy’s report, speculate that 2026 may see new highs, while others, like Bernstein’s analysts, believe the market needs a period of consolidation first. Regardless of the price trajectory, the address starting with “1A1zP” will remain quietly resting at the very beginning of the blockchain, continuously receiving valuable “greetings” from future eras.