Bitcoin News Today: Bitcoin, Ethereum Outflows: Long-Term Bet or Sign of Fading Momentum?

Bitcoin and Ethereum are seeing unprecedented outflows from centralized exchanges, with over $2.6 billion in assets withdrawn in the past week alone. The movement, tracked by on-chain analytics firm Sentora (formerly IntoTheBlock), has raised questions about whether the trend signals growing confidence in long-term holding or reflects a lack of bullish momentum in a market still reeling from October's downturn, according to a TradingView report.

Data shows Bitcoin's exchange balances dropped by more than $2 billion this week, marking one of the largest weekly outflows of the year. The report notes this follows a month defined by volatility, including a mid-October crash that erased billions in market value. The trend aligns with Ethereum's parallel movement, as the second-largest cryptocurrency saw $600 million in outflows, further underscoring a shift in investor behavior.

The withdrawals appear to be driven by whale activity. On-chain tracker Lookonchain reported two newly created wallets withdrawing 2,000 BTC (worth ~$260 million) from Binance toward the end of the week, the report adds. Such large-scale transfers typically indicate a shift from trading to long-term storage, a move often interpreted as a vote of confidence in price stability.

However, the timing of these outflows complicates the narrative. Both Bitcoin and Ethereum closed October 2025 with negative returns—Bitcoin down 4% and Ethereum down 7.15% from their monthly opens, which shattered the "Uptober" trend, a six-year stretch where October historically served as a launchpad for year-end rallies. Analysts are now debating whether the outflows represent a strategic pivot to holding or a lack of conviction in the market's ability to recover.

The data also highlights reduced blockchain activity, with Sentora's metrics suggesting lower transaction volumes and fewer active addresses. The report suggests this could indicate a temporary lull in speculative trading, though it remains unclear whether this reflects a broader market correction or a short-term consolidation phase.

Investors are closely watching how these trends evolve in November. While some view the outflows as a positive sign of institutional-grade confidence, others warn that reduced exchange liquidity could limit short-term price resilience. The absence of major bullish catalysts, such as regulatory clarity or macroeconomic tailwinds, adds to the uncertainty.