Bitcoin News Today: Bitcoin Whales Offload $9.6B as Institutional Buyers Take Over Market

Bitcoin’s market is undergoing a significant transformation as long-term whale activity shifts and institutional participation rises, according to recent market analysis. Whale wallets, particularly those holding over 10,000 BTC, have been steadily offloading large portions of their holdings since 2017, with a major sale in the past month totaling 80,201 BTC, valued at $9.6 billion [1]. This movement has been described by analysts as a sign of maturing market behavior rather than a bearish signal.

According to Swan Bitcoin, the largest rotation in Bitcoin’s history is nearing completion, with “old guard” holders being replaced by institutional actors such as corporate treasuries and ETFs [2]. This transition is seen as a natural evolution, as early adopters and Satoshi-era wallets slowly transfer their holdings to more traditional financial actors [3]. Similar to the financialization of gold in the early 2000s, Bitcoin is following a similar trajectory, with institutions increasingly gaining exposure through structured products and direct investment [4].

CryptoQuant and Santiment both noted that the recent price dip following the whale sell-off was short-lived and did not significantly impact the overall upward trend. In fact, Santiment reported that wallets with 10–10,000 BTC have been accumulating an additional 218,570 BTC since March 2025, representing 68.44% of total supply [5]. This accumulation suggests a strong bullish sentiment and long-term confidence in the market.

The growing presence of institutional players is also reshaping Bitcoin’s liquidity landscape. There are now 219 entities collectively holding 3.6 million BTC, valued at over $419 billion [6]. These entities include ETFs, corporate treasuries, mining firms, and DeFi platforms. As these actors take on more prominent roles, Bitcoin’s volatility is expected to decrease, making it a more attractive asset for conservative institutional investors such as pension funds and insurance companies.

CK Zheng of ZX Squared Capital emphasized that the shift from retail to institutional ownership is a healthy sign of a maturing bull market. He noted that while Bitcoin’s price volatility may persist for now, it is a necessary part of the process as the asset evolves toward becoming “true digital gold” [1]. Zheng also suggested that some of the exiting whale activity may be part of a broader strategy to diversify into other high-growth sectors, such as artificial intelligence.

Market observers have also noted the recent third major profit-taking wave, where Bitcoin whales exited the market at price levels above $120,000, with estimated values ranging from $6 billion to $8 billion [5]. Despite these large sales, Bitcoin’s price has remained relatively stable, with analysts pointing to chart patterns like the symmetrical triangle as indicators of a potential breakout in the near future [6].

The combination of whale accumulation, strategic exits, and institutional entry is reshaping Bitcoin’s market dynamics. As large-scale capital flows continue to align with more structured and predictable patterns, the narrative of retail-driven volatility is being replaced by a more sophisticated and less speculative environment. This evolution marks a new chapter in Bitcoin’s journey toward mainstream financial acceptance.

Source:

[1] Coin Telegraph (https://cointelegraph.com/news/bitcoin-whales-sell-new-buyers-enter-market)

[2] Adler (https://www.mitrade.com/insights/news/live-news/article-3-1003119-20250801)

[3] eblockmedia.com (https://www.eblockmedia.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=25023)

[4] Santiment (https://www.ainvest.com/news/bitcoin-news-today-bitcoin-whales-accumulate-218-570-btc-market-consolidation-2508)

[5] AInvest (https://www.ainvest.com/news/bitcoin-news-today-bitcoin-major-profit-wave-hits-6b-8b-whales-exit-120k-2508)

[6] BraveNewCoin (https://bravenewcoin.com/insights/bitcoin-btc-price-prediction-bitcoin-may-break-120k-post-fed-as-triangle-pattern-nears-apex)