Collapsed cryptocurrency exchange Mt. Gox transferred over 24,000 Bitcoin, valued at approximately $2.4 billion, to an unidentified address shortly after Bitcoin surged past the $100,000 milestone. The transfer, recorded at 2:45 am UTC on Dec. 5, marks the exchange’s first activity since November, according to data from Arkham Intelligence.

The move occurred just 12 minutes after Bitcoin broke the $100,000 threshold and preceded the cryptocurrency hitting an all-time high of $104,000 on Coinbase less than half an hour later. The recipient address, starting with “1N7j,” reportedly has no prior transaction history.

Speculation is rife about the reason behind the transfer. Mt. Gox, which declared bankruptcy in 2014 following a high-profile hack, has previously moved Bitcoin as part of its ongoing creditor repayment process. Such transfers often spark bearish sentiment in the market, with fears that creditors could sell significant amounts after being unable to access their Bitcoin for nearly a decade.

However, some market analysts argue that the potential sell-off is already factored into Bitcoin’s price, as repayment plans have been anticipated for years. In fact, many creditors, according to a Reddit poll conducted in July, indicated they had no immediate plans to sell their holdings.

In October, the Mt. Gox trustee extended the repayment deadline by a year to Oct. 31, 2025, citing incomplete repayment procedures by creditors. Despite the latest transfer, Mt. Gox retains a substantial balance of 39,878 Bitcoin, currently valued at over $4.1 billion.

This unexpected move by Mt. Gox adds a layer of intrigue to Bitcoin’s price trajectory, with the market watching closely for any ripple effects from potential sell-offs.