Key Takeaways
How Much Bitcoin Have Whales Amassed Recently?
Whales added 45,000 BTC last week, marking the second largest weekly accumulation of 2025.
What does price action suggest about the battle between bulls and bears?
The MACD shows bearish momentum with a negative reading of -321.31, indicating that short-term pressure continues as the distribution overwhelms accumulation.
There is a massive wealth transfer taking place in the Bitcoin markets.
As long-term holders dump coins at the highest rate in nearly a year, whales are aggressively snapping up supply at six-figure prices – setting the stage for a classic bull market divergence between weak hands and institutional conviction.
Bitcoin LTH offloading
CryptoQuant data shows that long-term holders have sold 815,000 BTC in the last 30 days, which is the most significant distribution since January 2024.
The sale includes all holder cohorts, from diamond hands with 7+ years to more recent holdings of 6-18 months.
Source: CryptoQuant
This massive profit-taking came as Bitcoin surged above $100,000, leading to sell orders piling up during years of consolidation and recovery following the 2022 bear market.
The diagram shows stacked areas in purple, orange, pink and blue, representing different holder cohorts contributing to the distribution wave.
As demand tightens, as indicated by the gray trend line, this selling pressure weighs heavily on the short-term price action.
Whales intervene
Post-election data from CryptoRank paints a contrasting picture of smart money positioning.
Whale wallets holding over 1,000 BTC amassed 45,000 coins in the past week alone – the second-largest buying spree of 2025, surpassed only by March’s panic buying during the rate sell-off.
Source: CryptoRank
Their total holdings rose from 1.52 million BTC in early 2025 to 1.76 million currently, steadily absorbing retail panic selling, causing retail holdings to drop from 16.7 million to 16.68 million.
The difference is stark: while retail investors capitulate near local highs, institutional players are quietly building positions.
This pattern mirrors the behavior of March, when whales launched the largest accumulation wave of 2025 amid sharp price declines.
Smart money consistently buys fear, while retail sells in strength – a behavioral dynamic that defines every Bitcoin cycle.
Bitcoin price tests critical support
Bitcoin is currently trading at $100,282, testing the psychological bottom of $100,000. The daily chart shows the price retreating from the local high of $125,000 reached in October, with momentum indicators flashing warning signs.
The MACD histogram shows deep negative territory at -321.31, with the signal line at -2,704.04 suggesting continued bearish pressure.
Both MACD lines are trending down, indicating that sellers remain in control despite whale accumulation.
Source: TradingView
The $100,000 level represents the crucial battleground. A sustained break would open the way to $97,500, where previous consolidation occurred.
However, if whales continue to absorb supply at current prices, their conviction could provide a launching pad for the next phase of the rally.
As retail capitulates and institutional players pile in, Bitcoin’s market structure increasingly favors long-term bulls willing to tolerate short-term volatility.