Bitcoin News Today: Bitcoin Whale's $23.7M Long Bet Targets 74% Surge to $200K by Year-End

Bitcoin’s recent price action has sparked intense market scrutiny after a significant liquidity grab and a bold bullish bet from a whale investor. On July 19, 2025, Bitcoin (BTC) briefly surged above $114,960 before retreating, triggering $130 million in long liquidations across exchanges in the prior 24 hours. Amid the volatility, a whale executed a $23.7 million long position via a bull call spread strategy, targeting a BTC price of $200,000 by year-end. This move, analyzed by Deribit Insights, involves purchasing December 2025 $140,000 call options while funding higher-strike $200,000 calls to limit risk and reward, signaling strong conviction in a potential all-time high (ATH) break [1].

The whale’s position aligns with broader bullish sentiment, though analysts caution that the $115,000 level remains critical. A breakdown below this threshold could trigger further selling, potentially testing support at $113,500 or $110,530, where buyers are expected to re-enter. Conversely, a successful defense of $115,000 would validate the uptrend, with some technical indicators pointing to a potential rally toward $135,000 [1]. The Bitcoin risk index, currently at zero, underscores the absence of overheating in the market, reinforcing the view that corrections at low risk levels represent accumulation opportunities rather than bearish signals [1].

On-chain data reveals mixed signals. Liquidity replenishment at lower price levels on exchange order books indicates resilience, while the activation of a long-dormant Satoshi-era wallet—holding $9.6 billion in BTC—has raised concerns about possible corrections. However, asset manager Swissblock argues the recent selloff is a rotation-led adjustment rather than capitulation, emphasizing that “the trend remains bullish” [1]. Deribit analysts further note that similar whale positions have historically influenced BTC’s trajectory, suggesting the current bet could amplify upward momentum if the ATH thesis plays out [1].

Technical analysis highlights key resistance and support zones. A bullish flag pattern near $118,000–$120,000 on the four-hour chart suggests continuation if consolidation breaks higher, while harmonic patterns indicate a short-term pullback to $115,000–$118,000 is likely [2]. Analysts like Daan Crypto Trades warn that a breakdown below $115,000 could lead to a retest of $113,500, where buying pressure might stabilize the price [1].

Despite the aggressive $200,000 target, the whale’s strategy reflects a calculated approach. By capping losses at $23.7 million through the call spread, the position mitigates downside risk while retaining upside potential. Critics, however, note that such bets rely on sustained institutional demand and macroeconomic stability, factors that could shift rapidly. Divergent forecasts—ranging from bearish calls of $72,000 to optimistic ATH projections—underscore the market’s inherent volatility [4].

The near-term outlook hinges on whether the $115,000 support holds. A successful defense would validate the whale’s thesis and likely accelerate the rally toward $200,000. A breakdown, meanwhile, could trigger deeper corrections, testing the market’s resilience. As with all crypto investments, risks remain elevated, and traders are urged to conduct independent research before making decisions.

Sources:

[1] Cointelegraph, [https://cointelegraph.com/news/bitcoin-grabs-115k-liquidity-whale-bets-200k-btc-price-by-year-end](https://cointelegraph.com/news/bitcoin-grabs-115k-liquidity-whale-bets-200k-btc-price-by-year-end)

[2] TradingView, [https://in.tradingview.com/symbols/BTCUSD.P/ideas/?exchange=DELTAIN](https://in.tradingview.com/symbols/BTCUSD.P/ideas/?exchange=DELTAIN)

[4] Facebook, [https://www.facebook.com/groups/binancecommunityx/posts/coinmarkete-cap-although-going-bearish-but-still-here-is-395-t-existing-dont-kno/2241093209673304/](https://www.facebook.com/groups/binancecommunityx/posts/coinmarkete-cap-although-going-bearish-but-still-here-is-395-t-existing-dont-kno/2241093209673304/)