Should the Largest Bitcoin Trade Be Valued in Bitcoin or US Dollars?

Exactly three days ago, the Bitcoin ledger registered an immense transaction of 26,139 BTC, which equated to $1.347 billion, revitalizing discussions around record-setting Bitcoin transactions.

Generally, the size of a Bitcoin transaction is gauged either by the amount of Bitcoin moved, or by its corresponding value in traditional currency at the transaction time.

Comparison: 500,000 BTC at $1 Million Versus 26,000 BTC at $1.3 Billion

The recent 26,139 BTC trade, with a valuation of $1.347 billion, is in stark comparison to a 2011 transaction which shifted 500,000 BTC, then worth close to $1.13 million. Despite the 2011 trade moving a larger quantity of Bitcoin, the fiat valuation for the more recent transfer far exceeds the earlier transaction.

This raises an important consideration: Should we continue to gauge Bitcoin against USD, or are we at a pivotal moment in the history of money?

The discussion gains complexity with input from figures like Edward Snowden, who recently dubbed Bitcoin the “greatest monetary innovation since the advent of minted currency.” Moreover, Bitcoin’s acceptance as legal tender in nations like El Salvador lends weight to conjectures about Bitcoin’s eventual role in finance.

Pricing Commodities in Currency

Despite buzzing enthusiasm for Bitcoin and its potential as an alternative currency, present trends and long-established economic practices suggest: a shift from traditional fiat money to digital currencies like Bitcoin is not yet underway.

The world’s financial system continues to revolve primarily around fiat monies, denominated in the likes of USD, EUR, and JPY. Bitcoin has undoubtedly carved a unique presence for itself and is often compared to “digital gold.” Nonetheless, it is presently recognized more as a tradable asset than a day-to-day transactional currency. As with all commodities, its value is denominated in conventional currencies.

Despite significant strides and disruptive possibilities, cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin remain a supplementary component to the existing fiat currency-based global financial system. The evolutionary path of Bitcoin, along with other digital currencies, continues onwards, with their roles as bona fide substitutes for mainstream currencies still a matter of speculation.

Record-Breaking Bitcoin Transfer Occurred Three Days Past

On the 23rd of February, 2024, at exactly four minutes and three seconds past four in the afternoon, Bitcoin’s ledger recorded its largest transaction ever. The history-making trade involved moving 26,139.38974287 BTC, valued close to $1.347 billion at that moment.

This unprecedented deal transpired between two anonymous digital wallets, marked by their addresses as “1aXzEKiDJKzkPxTZy9zGc3y1nCDwDPub2” and “3M6XXpqUc8G8GuHYKQhjAWobo5aGpkdV7u.”

The nominal commission fee for this trade was a mere 4.0K Sats (Satoshis), tallying up to just $2.06, exemplifying the Bitcoin network’s efficiency and cost-effectiveness in executing large-scale transfers. Surpassing prior benchmarks, the recent over 26,000 BTC transaction has set a new standard for Bitcoin trade values.

Prior to this occurrence, April 2020 had seen the then-largest Bitcoin transaction involving 161,500 BTC, assessed at about $1.1 billion. Originating from two Bitfinex addresses, this transaction was later confirmed by the platform’s CTO Paolo Ardoino. Going back further, notable transactions had reached values between $491 million and $1.033 billion during the years 2019 and 2020.