Nucleus dark web marketplace Bitcoin wallets reactivated after nine years

Bitcoin wallets associated with Nucleus Marketplace, an earlier known darknet marketplace for trading drugs, have been used for transactions after almost nine years of redundancy. 

According to Arkham Intelligence, on 7 March 2025, the wallets received $77.5 million in Bitcoin and transferred this amount to three new addresses. This is the first time since the platform suddenly vanished in April 2016 that funds have been moved.

ANCIENT DARKNET MARKET WAKES UP AFTER 9 YEARS WITH OVER $400M $BTC

Wallets belonging to Nucleus Marketplace woke up this morning after 9 years of inactivity, transferring $77.5M worth of Bitcoin to 3 new wallets.

Nucleus Marketplace wallets still hold $365M BTC.

New addresses:… pic.twitter.com/JtPXBK8Aec

— Arkham (@arkham) March 7, 2025

Nucleus Marketplace was an online marketplace active from 2014 to 2016 that used Bitcoin to sell various prohibited products, such as drugs and other products. It abruptly vanished in rather murky circumstances, which ignited discussions of an exit scam or a hack.

Before it disappeared, it was said to hold more than 5,000 BTC, valued at over $2.25 million at that time. As such, these remaining funds are estimated to be worth $365 million due to the appreciation of Bitcoin.

According to the blockchain explorers, some of the addresses involved in the transactions include 1GGe3, which was last active in April 2016. The three new wallets this money is being sent to are “bc1qm8,” “bc1qm0,” and “bc1qsh.”

Speculations on the resurgence

The activation of this wallet has raised issues regarding the individuals behind it, as well as the motive for those operations. The individuals can be the original admins, police, hackers or anyone else who could have access to the private keys.

Some have joked that the funds might be going to the newly launched strategic Bitcoin reserve in the United States. In the new executive order, Bitcoin received from criminal activities will be used in the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve. However, the nature or purpose of the transactions is still unknown.  One user on X noted, “Right.. Just before the Summit.”

In the ongoing White House crypto summit, President Trump has echoed dissatisfaction with the government’s approach to Bitcoin. He stated, “From this day on, America will follow the rule that every Bitcoin [holder] knows very well. Never sell your Bitcoin. “

Nucleus Marketplace’s return may lead to revived legal claims related to its operations and thus may trigger additional investigations. If recognized as proceeds of crime, law enforcement agencies may attempt to seize and recover the assets.

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