Anonymous trader buys $400 million in bitcoin
Published: Feb 16, 2018 3:31 p.m. ET
Next bitcoin billionaire just around the corner
Getty Images
By
AaronHankin
Reporter
Go big or go home. That’s the motto of one mysterious investor who put his chips on the table, buying close to $400 million of the No.1 digital currency, bitcoin.
The purchase comes as cryptocurrencies are making a comeback after a dreadful start to 2018. Major digital currencies lost as much as 50% to start the year as growing regulation and security fears crippled the market, seeing traders bail on their positions. However, the tide has turned.
CFTC: Beware cryptocurrency pump-and-dump schemes
The price of bitcoin
BTCUSD, +7.89% has increased more than 60% since trading under $6,000 on February 6, pushing back above $10,000, helped by signs of growing recognition of digital currencies from officials in Washington.
“Not sure who that big buyer was but many have bought this dip and have added since the rebound and additional regulatory clarity in the U.S. and Asia,” Alex Sunnarborg, Founding Partner of Tetras Capital said.
The unknown trader with the bitcoin address
3Cbq7aT1tY8kMxWLbitaG7yT6bPbKChq64 purchased the coins between Feb. 9 and Feb. 12, taking his bitcoin balance from 55,000 coins to more than 96,000.
The transaction, which was blasted all over social media and online chat forums emboldened bulls who had argued that $6,000 was a bottom.
“In the meantime, the $400 million whale is fuel for the Telegram channels where traders lay out their conspiracy theories,” said Jeff Koyen, president of 360 Blockchain USA.
“However, I am willing to believe that, seeing bitcoin bottom around $6,000, Wall Street smelled blood and jumped back in,” he said.
With bitcoin back above $10,000, the owner of the address is closing is on the bitcoin billionaires club.
