Bitcoin News Today: Bitcoin Slides 3.5% as Dormant Whale Sells $80,000 BTC, Rebounds to $118,000

Bitcoin’s price slid below $119,000 on July 26, 2025, marking a temporary pullback amid a week of heightened volatility. The decline followed a 3.5% intraday drop below the $115,000 support level, triggered by a large-scale sale of $80,000 BTC from a dormant whale and broader profit-taking in a rapidly moving market [4]. This move reversed earlier gains that had pushed Bitcoin above $119,000 earlier in the week, driven by institutional adoption and post-halving dynamics. By July 26, the asset rebounded to $118,000, with analysts noting bullish momentum remained intact [5].

The dip occurred against a backdrop of sustained institutional interest, highlighted by U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs recording net inflows exceeding $2.5 billion over the preceding 30 days. This trend, coupled with expanded ETF offerings and regulatory clarity, signaled a maturing market landscape [2]. A key short-term driver of volatility was Galaxy’s strategic sale of $9 billion in Bitcoin, which helped stabilize prices after a brief dip below $115,000 earlier in the week [3]. Analysts attributed the broader upward trend to reduced post-halving supply, a 50% cut in mining rewards, which slows the rate of new Bitcoin entering circulation and reinforces the asset’s scarcity narrative [1].

Trading volumes surged 13% within 24 hours after Bitcoin breached the $119,000 threshold, reflecting growing confidence in its stability. However, leveraged liquidations and macroeconomic signals introduced temporary downward pressure [6]. Citigroup projected Bitcoin could reach $135,000 by year-end under a base-case scenario, citing sustained ETF demand, while acknowledging a potential $199,000 target if inflows exceeded $15 billion and user growth surpassed 20% [5]. These forecasts contrasted with immediate volatility, as institutional actions and interest rate shifts remained key risks [1].

The post-halving environment has amplified Bitcoin’s liquidity dynamics, with tighter supply and reduced miner rewards bolstering price resilience. Analysts emphasized that long-term pro-crypto forces, including regulatory progress and institutional participation, would likely outweigh cyclical pressures tied to the four-year halving cycle [2]. A market expert noted Bitcoin’s bounce from a key demand zone around $115,000 signaled strong buyer interest, though caution persisted amid AI-driven warnings of a potential drop below $100,000 in the coming weeks [8].

Sources:

[1] [Bitcoin News Today: Bitcoin Surges Past $119000 Driven ...] [https://www.ainvest.com/news/bitcoin-news-today-bitcoin-surges-119-000-driven-institutional-adoption-macroeconomic-factors-technological-advances-2507/]

[2] [Bitcoin Rebounds After Galaxy Completes Sale of $9B BTC ...] [https://cryptoadventure.com/bitcoin-rebounds-after-galaxy-completes-sale-of-9b-btc-from-satoshi-era-whale/]

[3] [Bit Digital Plans To Purchase More ETH – Is Ethereum ...] [https://www.mitrade.com/insights/news/live-news/article-3-990304-20250728]

[4] [Dormant Whale Sells $80000 BTC, But Bitcoin Bulls Still In ...] [https://www.tradingview.com/news/newsbtc:de831f846094b:0-dormant-whale-sells-80-000-btc-but-bitcoin-bulls-still-in-control/]

[5] [Citi's Bullish Bitcoin Outlook: $135000 by 2025's End] [https://cryptoadventure.com/citis-bullish-bitcoin-outlook-135000-by-2025s-end/]

[6] [Bitcoin Bulls Gain Traction From Ideal Long Zone] [https://www.tradingview.com/news/newsbtc:2b1b0a8bd094b:0-bitcoin-bulls-gain-traction-from-ideal-long-zone-2-scenarios-for-the-week-ahead/]

[8] [AI sets date when Bitcoin will crash below $100000] [https://finbold.com/ai-sets-date-when-bitcoin-will-crash-below-100000/]