Bitcoin Cold Storage Surges 2% to 14.30 Million, Corporate Buying Spree Continues

More than 14 million Bitcoin are currently in cold storage, with little to no spending history, according to on-chain analytics firm Glassnode. This leaves approximately 7 million BTC out of the total 21 million supply available for trading. This trend indicates a growing preference among holders for long-term storage over quick trades.

The illiquid supply of Bitcoin has seen a significant increase, rising from just under 14 million in December 2024 to roughly 14.30 million today. This surge in demand for cold storage and self-custody solutions reflects a shift in investor behavior, with more coins being moved off exchanges and into private wallets. This trend has been particularly pronounced since late March, despite the volatility in price swings.

Corporate buyers have also ramped up their Bitcoin holdings. In the past week alone, more than five companies announced new Bitcoin purchases. ProCap BTC led the way with two significant buys: 3,724 BTC for $387 million and 1,208 BTC for $128 million, totaling 4,930 BTC worth $515 million. Michael Saylor’s Strategy added 245 BTC after spending $1 billion the previous week. Smarter Web acquired 197 BTC, while Méliuz S.A. bought 275 BTC, bringing its total to 596 BTC. The Blockchain Group contributed 75 BTC, increasing its total to 1,728 BTC. Most recently, Metaplanet spent around $132 million on 1,234 BTC, lifting its total Bitcoin stash to 12,345 BTC purchased for about $1.20 billion.

With only one-third of Bitcoin’s fixed supply remaining “liquid,” meaning it is likely to trade hands, the squeeze could make it harder for new buyers to find inventory. Over-the-counter desks and exchange order books report thinner BTC listings. When institutions can’t source coins as easily, they may bid prices higher. On-chain metrics cannot determine why some coins remain unmoved—some may be lost forever—but the increase in self-custody transfers indicates real demand.

At Bitcoin Conference 2025, Eric Trump predicted that BTC will hit $170K at the end of 2026, citing the doubling of firms with Bitcoin in the last year. However, if a supply crunch is matched with steady or increasing demand, prices might experience a strong push higher. Yet markets may remain unpredictable, with unexpected sell-offs or macro shocks potentially reversing the trend. Investors and analysts will be monitoring the pace of new entrants into the market. For now, a record 14.35 million Bitcoin are idle, and this constricted supply may set the stage for the next great rally.