Article Source:

Headline Event Two extremely rare physical Bitcoin coins, known as "Casascius coins," were redeemed ("peeled") on December 5–6, 2025, moving a total of 2,000 Bitcoin (BTC) for the first time in over 13 years.

Key Details

  • Value: At the time of the movement, the 2,000 BTC were worth approximately $179 million.

  • The Coins: The stash consisted of two separate coins, each holding 1,000 BTC.

    • One was created in December 2011 when Bitcoin traded around $3.88.

    • The other was minted in October 2012 when Bitcoin was approximately $11.69.

  • The Gain: The value of the Bitcoin held in these coins has appreciated by roughly 2,300,000% since they were created.

Background on Casascius Coins

  • Origin: Created by Mike Caldwell between 2011 and 2013, Casascius coins are physical metal coins (or bars) that contain a piece of paper with the private key to a digital Bitcoin wallet.

  • Security: The key is hidden underneath a tamper-evident hologram. To access the digital funds ("move" the Bitcoin), the owner must peel off the hologram, effectively destroying the coin's value as a pristine physical collectible.

  • Rarity: These high-denomination items are incredibly rare; reportedly, only a handful of 1,000 BTC coins and bars were ever produced.

Significance The movement of such old ("dormant") coins is significant because it involves "whale" activity—someone holding a massive amount of Bitcoin from the network's early days. While moving the funds requires peeling the coin, it does not necessarily mean the owner is selling the Bitcoin; they may simply be transferring it to a more secure, modern cold storage solution.