The long-awaited Mt. Gox Bitcoin distribution appears to be nearing completion, as the bankrupt exchange recently moved over $2.2 billion worth of BTC to three new wallets. Some of these funds were reportedly transferred to centralized exchanges (CEXs) OKX and B2C2, fueling market concerns over potential selling pressure that could impact Bitcoin’s price.
According to on-chain data by Spot on Chain, 32,871 BTC (worth approximately $2.22 billion) has been transferred by Mt. Gox over the last few days. Among these tokens, 296 BTC, valued at around $20 million, were specifically moved to OKX and B2C2. Remaining in Mt. Gox’s wallets at the time of reporting is roughly 12,006 BTC, worth an estimated $810 million.
The Long Road to Repayment: Mt. Gox’s Ongoing Distribution Process
Mt. Gox collapsed in 2014 following one of the largest crypto hacks in history, losing 850,000 BTC. At its height, the exchange handled more than 70% of all Bitcoin transactions worldwide. Since then, approximately 127,000 creditors have waited for over a decade to recover their assets, with total debt to creditors estimated at more than $9.4 billion.
As part of the distribution process, Mt. Gox completed 41.5% of its planned Bitcoin payout to creditors in July, transferring a total of 59,000 BTC (about $4 billion at current values). However, a July report from Glassnode indicated that many creditors chose to receive BTC rather than fiat, a unique option under Japanese bankruptcy law. This choice suggested that most of the distributed Bitcoin would likely not be immediately sold into the market, alleviating some concerns over an immediate sell-off.
How Could Mt. Gox’s BTC Distribution Impact Bitcoin’s Price?
Investor concerns remain high, as even a partial sell-off of Mt. Gox’s holdings could place significant downward pressure on Bitcoin’s price. However, analysts point out that most creditors have shown patience and held onto their Bitcoin, even as prices have appreciated over 8,500% since Mt. Gox’s 2014 collapse.
Additionally, the staggered nature of these transfers could prevent a sudden influx of Bitcoin into the market. While some funds have been sent to exchanges, suggesting potential sales, it remains uncertain how much of this Bitcoin will actually be sold versus held by creditors as a long-term investment.
The Ongoing Legacy of Mt. Gox’s Collapse
The Mt. Gox hack remains one of the most significant events in cryptocurrency history. The exchange, founded in 2010 and based in Japan, lost 850,000 BTC due to security breaches. The collapse led to calls for better security and transparency across the crypto industry and highlighted the risks of centralized crypto platforms.
With the recent transfers, Mt. Gox may finally close a chapter that has spanned more than a decade, but its potential impact on the market is still unfolding. As creditors slowly regain their assets, all eyes are on how this large-scale BTC distribution will affect Bitcoin’s price and stability.
