I've never even spent even a single Satoshi.

[Jet Cash]

I must have been running nodes for over 10 years, and I still haven't spent a single Satoshi. I have bought a few coins, but most of my Bitcoin has come from free sources like faucets, or selling domain names that I've acquired from expired lists.. I've also received some coins that I've picked up at minimal cost. I think it's time that I discovered if I can spend my coins. I know I've got about $40 in one wallet that I password protected, and I've forgotten the password. When I get time, I'll see if I can recover that. At least I can remember the pass phrases for the main wallets.

I'm going to "spend" the coins in my early wallets by moving the coins into a later wallet on a new node. This will consolidate all the small transactions, and make management a bit easier for me. I'm hoping that I can perform a bit of tax planning to minimise liability as well. Another interesting possibility comes from exploring the possibility of having some alt coins on the forked blockchains such as Bitcoin Cash. I gather that Blockchain.com will tell me if I have any addresses with balances in addition to Bitcoin. I want to spend the Bitcoin in those  addresses to avoid the coins being stolen.

I wonder how many other members are in a similar position to mine.

[_act_]

About how to claim the forked coins, you can read what is on this topic: LoyceV's Bitcoin Fork claiming guide (and service). But I noticed the thread was updated last in 2022, probably because it might not need updating for now.

A wallet that support the forked coin can be used to access the forked coin so far you have the seed phrase or the private key of the forked coins.

I wonder how many other members are in a similar position to mine.

You are very early to know about bitcoin, I know about bitcoin late.

[Jet Cash]

I've found a copy of the blockchain ( with my wallet data ) that goes up to rev01438.dat, and google tells me that was probably  created in mid 2017. I guess that will probably cover the blocks that are included in the forked coins.

[LoyceV]

It's hard to imagine being active in Bitcoin as long as you have, without ever selling/sending any coins. Good for you!
For consolidating, you may want to read Consolidate your small inputs @0.11 sat/vbyte. Especially if you have many small inputs, you can save a lot on transaction fees by not using the wallet's default setting.

Depending on how much Bitcoin you own, you may want to reconsider moving everything into a new hot wallet. There's no need to risk it all, so you may want to look into cold storage.

For Fork coins: I used to get BCH, BSV, eCash, BTG and BCD. Now, BCH is worth about $440 per Bitcoin owned at Fork time, and the other 4 combined are worth about $10-20 per Bitcoin at the time. They also get harder and harder to sell, so most likely those aren't worth your effort.
TL;DR: move your Bitcoin to safety, import the old empty private keys into Electron Cash (don't trust this software on your system so use a spare system and wipe it afterwards!), and consolidate them onto a new address (or exchange them).

[Jet Cash]

I seem to get interested in something, and end up with too many items. I've got a garage full of stationary engine stuff that I picked up when I ran a recycling business that I had been given. I must have a dozen bicycles as well. I guess I should put them on Ebay. It's a pity that Ebay doesn't use Bitcoin - that would motivate me to get rid of stuff. I've just found another 3 external hard drives with copies of wallets and the blockchain. They are probably duplicates, but it will be interesting to see what I have got in Bitcoin. I need to consider the tax ramifications as well. It looks as if the UK government is getting greedy, and wants to confiscate anything that people own that has value.

[Cryptomultiplier]

I applaud your effort so far for almost a decade now, running nodes that many of us can't even dream of yet and earning while holding for that long, is no small feat. It shows shear discipline and determination. You also know that you have been able to minimize transaction fees so far.
 Also, you will not get taxed if you move your coins between two wallets you own.

Another thing of concern is to ensure that before you moved your forked coins, the specific fork must have replay protection so as to prevent accidentally broadcasting the transaction on other chain, which can cause other coins you don't intend to move, to actually move.
Lastly, I think you should do a small test by sending a small amount first to the destination address, before sending your entire coins so as not to fall prey to incorrect address or wrong software wallet.

[notocactus]

I've found a copy of the blockchain ( with my wallet data ) that goes up to rev01438.dat, and google tells me that was probably  created in mid 2017. I guess that will probably cover the blocks that are included in the forked coins.

LoyceV guided you well and if you want to claim forked coins, you can do these steps.

Another thing is there are many forked coins and perhaps you don't know all about them but like LoyceV said, most of them are useless and become harder to sell with time.
How Many Bitcoin Forks Are There? You will be surprised!!!

[Bastketsrus]

I applaud your effort so far for almost a decade now, running nodes that many of us can't even dream of yet and earning while holding for that long, is no small feat. It shows shear discipline and determination. You also know that you have been able to minimize transaction fees so far.
 Also, you will not get taxed if you move your coins between two wallets you own.

Another thing of concern is to ensure that before you moved your forked coins, the specific fork must have replay protection so as to prevent accidentally broadcasting the transaction on other chain, which can cause other coins you don't intend to move, to actually move.
Lastly, I think you should do a small test by sending a small amount first to the destination address, before sending your entire coins so as not to fall prey to incorrect address or wrong software wallet.

You made some good points. Running a node and holding for years takes real patience and discipline. Replay protection is also important, and doing a small test transaction first is always the safest way to avoid mistakes.

[Donneski]

I really respect the discipline it takes to hold that long without spending a single sat. In a space full of short-term thinking, that kind of conviction stands out.

What impressed me most is running your own node and wallet setup. Holding is one thing but verifying your own coins is another level. That’s real commitment to the idea behind Bitcoin.

[0x000369]

no you dont need to be tech wizard to own btc but yeah basics keep you from getting rekt

most noobs think its like bank accounts lol wrong

self custody or bust exchanges are honeypots waiting to pop

@Furball808 solid points but overkill for pure hodl

ive seen og holders who arent coders they just stack sats and ignore fud

learn seed phrases dont share them ever

if you skip that step blame yourself when youre broke

lmao at folks leaving coins on exchanges mtgox flashbacks anyone

basic opsec trumps being savvy every time

miners devs yeah deep dive but for owning nah

been around since early days half the forum aint tech pros

they just dont fomo into shitcoins or scams

stick to btc hodl tight and laugh at the bears

[PrivacyG]

It's hard to imagine being active in Bitcoin as long as you have, without ever selling/sending any coins. Good for you!

We all often wonder how in the World some people got to hold some Bitcoin in their Wallet for over a decade and not spend any at all.  Not when that turned in to a thousand Dollars, not when it turned in to a hundred thousand, not even when it turned in to a couple Million.

Now I suppose we can see such an example right here!

-----

I need to consider the tax ramifications as well. It looks as if the UK government is getting greedy, and wants to confiscate anything that people own that has value.

Considering how long you have been holding Bitcoin for, you must have a decent amount sitting there.  You could start exploring possible ways to even use the advantage of Bitcoin related Laws offered by other countries, it may end up being a smaller cost than the United Kingdom Taxes you would other wise have to pay.

Some times, I feel in the same position like you when it comes to the management of my Bitcoin.  It happens that I forget Passwords, I know I wrote down some of them but I do not even remember where.  The good thing is that it usually happens to Wallets that never contain much in them.  Although even 40 Dollars is something.  It is worth the beers you could get for finally unlocking it at least!

[Upgrade00]

I'm trying to ignore it but the lower part of your signature text being placed differently keeps catching my eye.

I must have been running nodes for over 10 years, and I still haven't spent a single Satoshi. I have bought a few coins,

You've contributed to the network for over a decade that's very impressive work you're doing there along with the others that do voluntary work to keep Bitcoin secure and decentralized.