Bitcoin News Today: Bitcoin Whale Sells $2.7 Billion, Price Dives 3% as Liquidations Surge

A massive Bitcoin whale moved 24,000 BTC—valued at approximately $2.7 billion—onto a trading venue on August 26, 2025, after holding the cryptocurrency for more than five years [1]. The sudden release of such a large volume triggered one of the largest liquidation waves of the year, sending Bitcoin’s price down nearly 3% within hours, with prices briefly falling below $111,000. The whale still holds over 152,000 BTC, an amount worth more than $17 billion, indicating that this was not a full exit but a significant reduction in holdings [1].

The sell-off had immediate and severe consequences in derivatives markets. Binance reported over $70 million in long positions liquidated as prices slid below $112,000. Analysts noted that liquidity pockets vanished almost instantly, triggering a cascade of forced selling known as a “long squeeze.” By Sunday night, open interest had been significantly reduced, and net taker volume on Binance dropped to around $1 billion, signaling that overleveraged traders had largely been flushed out of the market [1].

Market commentator Willy Woo pointed out that the price levels at which the whale sold each Bitcoin required over $110,000 in fresh capital to balance the books. He explained that this scale of selling could quickly drag momentum lower, especially when large holders begin to distribute their holdings [1].

While the plunge rattled market sentiment, some analysts view it as a potential reset for Bitcoin. Michaël van de Poppe of MN Fund described the $111,000 level as a “prime accumulation zone,” suggesting that the removal of excessive leverage could allow Bitcoin to stabilize and move higher [1]. He added that if Bitcoin can break back above $114,800 and $116,800, it could open the path toward $120,000 and possibly a retest of the $123,000 liquidity pocket. Failure to defend $111,000, however, could expose the market to a slide toward the psychological $100,000 level.

The episode underscores how Bitcoin’s trajectory remains heavily influenced by early whales, whose rare but massive moves can destabilize markets in ways few other factors can. For some, the selloff is a reminder of lingering supply risks; for others, it is a necessary purge of leverage that clears the way for the next leg up. Regardless of perspective, the event demonstrated that even in a market increasingly dominated by institutions and derivatives, the actions of a single long-term holder can still send shockwaves through the entire crypto landscape [1].

Source:

[1] Whale Unloads Bitcoin Worth $2.7 Billion, Wiping Out Traders and Shaking the Market (https://coindoo.com/whale-unloads-bitcoin-worth-2-7-billion-wiping-out-traders-and-shaking-the-market/)