Wrapped Bitcoin whale moves $156M WBTC – ‘Nothing to see here!’

    A whale moved 2,590 BTC to Binance amid WBTC custody changes.
    Market reactions intensified with whale activity and custody shifts.

As an analyst with over a decade of experience in the cryptocurrency market, I find myself continuously intrigued by the dynamic and often unpredictable nature of this industry. The recent movement of 2,590 BTC from an address associated with Justin Sun’s team to Binance, followed by a substantial withdrawal of WBTC, has certainly caught my attention.


As a researcher studying the digital asset market, I’ve been closely observing the updates in BitGo’s Wrapped Bitcoin (WBTC) custody model. This latest overhaul is designed to boost security by distributing key control among BitGo Inc., BitGo Singapore, and BiT Global. Lately, there has been increased activity from large Bitcoin holders, or “whales,” that has sparked curiosity in the cryptocurrency community.

In the midst of the contentious discussions about the token’s proprietorship, I have noticed a mysterious wallet address accumulating significant quantities of Wrapped Bitcoin.

WBTC whale makes moves

20th of August saw Wu Blockchain reporting a significant transaction of 2,590 Bitcoins, valued at approximately $156.41 million, moving from an account linked to Justin Sun’s group to the Binance (BNB) platform.

Providing further insights on the matter, Wu Blockchain added, 

As a researcher, I observed the withdrawal of Wrapped Bitcoin (WBTC) from Binance. So far, approximately 1,953 WBBT worth around $117.78 million has been taken out, as per the updates from @EmberCN.

As a long-time cryptocurrency investor, I have witnessed numerous developments within various ecosystems. The recent events unfolding in the WBTC (Wrapped Bitcoin) ecosystem have caught my attention due to their potential implications for the entire market. This development highlights ongoing tensions and shifts within the WBTC community, which could potentially impact the way significant amounts of WBTC are handled and moved.

Previous whale transfers

Indeed, it’s not unprecedented for a significant amount of cryptocurrency to be moved by a large investor, or “whale,” in this case. On August 19th, as Lookonchain noted, a whale acquired approximately 347 Wrapped Bitcoin (WBTC), valued at around $16 million, from Binance.

Over the past week, this specific whale has added to a broader pattern by collecting an aggregate of 1,953 Wrapped Bitcoin (WBTC), which amounts to approximately $118 million in value.

Transactions took place with an average cost of approximately $58,853 for each WBTC, underscoring a substantial shift in asset holdings due to evolving custodial arrangements for WBTC.

Remarking on the same, X (formerly Twitter) user SolBlock AI noted, 

“Nothing to see here, just crypto whales at play.” 

Adding to the fray, RyuzakiSOL said, 

“They are buying when new people are selling.” 

As significant changes occur in the handling and transfer of WBTC, such as modifications to custody procedures, the environment surrounding it is undergoing a swift transformation. This rapid change has sparked important discussions regarding market balance and responsible asset management.

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2024-08-20 22:16