Bitcoin News Today: Bitcoin Nears $123K as Whale Holdings Reach All-Time High of 18,996

Bitcoin is surging toward its all-time high of $123,180, trading near $120,000 as whale addresses hit a record 18,996—each holding more than 100 BTC [1]. This marks a new peak in accumulation activity, surpassing the previous high of 18,544 set in 2017 [1]. The increase in high-value holdings reflects a growing concentration among large investors and institutions, signaling strong confidence in Bitcoin’s long-term potential [1].

According to on-chain data from Bitcoin Magazine Pro, the trend of whale accumulation has been accelerating, with corporate treasuries playing a significant role [1]. Michael Saylor’s firm has more than doubled its Bitcoin holdings since Donald Trump’s election, contributing to a 60% increase in its treasury value [1]. Regulatory shifts under the Trump administration have also encouraged institutional adoption by rolling back certain Biden-era enforcement actions and introducing pro-crypto policies [1].

The number of public companies holding Bitcoin as a primary reserve asset has grown from 43 in 2023 to over 160 [1]. Companies like Nakamoto and Twenty One Capital are leading the charge, with Nakamoto set to purchase over $760 million in BTC following its merger with KindlyMD [1]. Twenty One Capital, already owning 43,514 BTC, ranks as the third-largest corporate holder globally [1].

The market’s bullish momentum has also been supported by strong ETF inflows and speculative long positions, which have driven open interest and liquidation levels to record highs [4]. Analyst forecasts, such as Sean Dawson of Dervie, suggest that Bitcoin could surpass $150,000 by year-end, driven by potential Federal Reserve rate cuts and continued institutional buying [11]. However, such predictions remain speculative and should be distinguished from actual on-chain activity.

In parallel, Ethereum has reached local all-time highs in Japan and South Korea, reflecting heightened retail interest in the region [9]. Tether’s USDT has also reached a valuation of $164.53 billion in Q2 2025, underscoring the growing demand for liquidity in the crypto market [7].

Bitcoin’s limited supply of 21 million coins—with approximately 19 million already mined—has intensified the race to secure large holdings [1]. As institutional demand remains strong and whale activity continues to rise, Bitcoin could break its all-time high in the near term, reinforcing its position as a strategic long-term asset [1].

Source:

[1] Bitcoin Magazine, [https://bitcoinmagazine.com/markets/bitcoin-nears-123k-as-whale-addresses-hit-all-time-high](https://bitcoinmagazine.com/markets/bitcoin-nears-123k-as-whale-addresses-hit-all-time-high)

[4] 99Bitcoins, [https://99bitcoins.com/news/presales/btc-usd-targets-123k-this-week-mass-short-liquidation-in-cross-hairs-as-ivy-league-bids-btc/](https://99bitcoins.com/news/presales/btc-usd-targets-123k-this-week-mass-short-liquidation-in-cross-hairs-as-ivy-league-bids-btc/)

[9] Strategic ETH Reserve, [https://bitcoinist.com/bitcoin-hyper-live-news-august-11-2025/](https://bitcoinist.com/bitcoin-hyper-live-news-august-11-2025/)