Bitcoin News Today: Bitcoin Consolidates Amid Slower Profit-Taking and Stable Long-Term Holdings

Bitcoin’s price activity has entered a period of consolidation as profit-taking activity slows and long-term holders remain stable in August. The cryptocurrency, which previously reached an all-time high of $111.8k, is now trading within a tighter $100k–$110k range. This shift reflects a cooling of short-term speculative activity, with capital inflows remaining but at a reduced pace compared to earlier momentum. On-chain data from Glassnode indicates a reduction in trading intensity and a stabilizing inflow of funds, pointing to a more measured approach by market participants [3].

The pace of profit-taking by veteran Bitcoin (BTC) holders has cooled off in August as they resist selling, signaling a shift in market dynamics after a record-breaking July. Data shared by on-chain analytics platform Glassnode shows realized profits by long-term holders, measured over a seven-day moving average, have dipped sharply from July’s $1 billion per day streak, which had marked one of the heaviest selling periods in the asset’s history [3].

Unlike the profit-taking waves between November and December 2024, which were dominated by short-term holders who had bought BTC six to twelve months before, the latest activity is being led by long-term holders, especially those who’ve been hoarding the OG cryptocurrency since the 2020–2022 cycle. These three-to-five-year investors are now realizing gains, while the rest appear content to ride out current price levels, despite it hovering near the all-time high of $123,091 set just weeks ago [3].

On-chain indicators are also pointing to changing market composition. Recent CryptoQuant data revealed an increase in smaller, retail-sized orders dominating BTC futures activity, with the number of institutional-sized whale trades dropping since late Q2 2025. While in previous cycles, markets dominated near their peaks by heavyweight buyers were often seen as signs of distribution phases, the current retail-heavy structure could allow prices to test new highs unless a renewed wave of large holders offloads their positions [3].

Network growth remains strong, with analyst Ali Martinez noting that more than 364,000 new BTC addresses were created daily last week. He said that this was the highest figure in a year, suggesting fresh retail participation even as institutional flows momentarily taper off [3].

Looking at the market, BTC was trading for about $121,224 at the time of this writing, up a modest 2.6% in the last 24 hours and a more solid 5.9% over seven days, after briefly surpassing $122,000 in intraday moves. While the uptick is a more impressive 97.9% year-on-year, BTC’s momentum has softened compared to its July surge. In the last two weeks, the number one crypto rose by a modest 1.9%, with the improvement over 30 days being just 2.6% [3].

The cooling narrative is strengthened by recent market metrics, with CryptoQuant’s Bull Score Index falling from 80 to 60 on August 10, suggesting a slowdown in the bullish phase. Additionally, stablecoin inflows have gone down, a likely indicator that there is little capital coming into crypto at the moment [3].

Market observers are also noting that broader crypto activity has tempered, with Ethereum and other major assets experiencing similar patterns of slower price appreciation. ETH has flattened in recent days as profit-taking continues, while XRP remains resilient amid the broader market slowdown. The trend aligns with Bitcoin’s pattern, reinforcing the idea that the market is transitioning from a speculative phase into a more fundamental-driven stage [6].

Meanwhile, Bitcoin’s momentum indicators have fallen below average levels, according to data from CryptoPotato. This suggests that while the market is not in retreat, it is entering a period of digestion, where short-term traders are stepping back and long-term investors are stepping in. Analysts suggest that this kind of behavior is often a precursor to more sustained price action in the future, as it allows for the consolidation of gains and the realignment of market sentiment [1].

The broader implication of this trend is that Bitcoin is likely moving into a phase where fundamentals and macroeconomic factors may play a more central role than short-term speculation. This could be particularly relevant if global capital flows or macroeconomic conditions shift, as the reduced volatility and steady accumulation by long-term holders indicate a more mature and stable investor base [3].

At the same time, the market is closely watching for signs of renewed buying interest. If the current consolidation period ends with a breakout above key resistance levels, it could signal the start of a new uptrend. However, any sharp sell-offs or unexpected macroeconomic shocks could still trigger a re-evaluation of risk, especially in an environment where investor caution is increasing [1].

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Source:

[1] Bitcoin's Momentum Slows After Hitting Recent Record High (https://cryptopotato.com/bitcoins-momentum-slows-after-hitting-recent-record-high/)

[2] Glassnode Insights - On-Chain Market Intelligence (https://insights.glassnode.com/)

[3] ETH & XRP Hold Strong as BlockDAG's $0.0016 Price ... - BTCC (https://www.btcc.com/en-US/square/Blockchainreporter/779489)