Bitcoin News Today: As ETFs Bleed $866M, Bitcoin Whale Buys $5.5M Stakes

A Whale Increases Their Position by 1760 ETH, Approximately $5.53 Million

Bitcoin's prolonged slump has drawn attention to a surge in large-position building amid broader market pessimism. Despite the cryptocurrency's six-month low of $95,900, a major player has taken advantage of the downturn to expand their holdings. Data from American Bitcoin, a Trump-family-linked miner, reveals a significant increase in Bitcoin staking, with the company's BTC holdings rising to 4,004 in November 2025 from 3,418 in the prior quarter. This 1760-coin addition, valued at approximately $5.53 million at current prices, underscores the growing appetite for Bitcoin among institutional players even as ETF outflows and retail disinterest weigh on the market.

The broader crypto landscape has been marked by weak demand and declining investor sentiment. Spot Bitcoin ETFs, a key driver of institutional interest, saw a record $866 million in outflows on Thursday, according to Farside Investors. This follows a brief $524 million inflow on Tuesday, highlighting the fragile nature of market confidence. Meanwhile, retail demand remains muted, with derivatives markets for major tokens like XRP and Ethereum (ETH) showing little improvement. Ethereum, for instance, trades below $3,200, while Bitcoin's total market cap has shrunk by 5.4% to $3.36 trillion in the past 24 hours.

The market's struggles have been exacerbated by geopolitical uncertainty and stagnant macroeconomic data. Although the U.S. government shutdown ended on November 15, 2025, with funding extended until January 30, 2026, the resolution failed to spark renewed interest in crypto assets. "Despite the US shutdown seemingly ending, and the S&P and Gold bouncing hard, Bitcoin ETFs saw NO bid yesterday," noted Charles Edwards of Capriole Investments. This lack of institutional participation has left Bitcoin vulnerable to further declines, with analysts warning that stalled ETF inflows could prolong the bearish trend.

Despite the downturn, some market participants remain bullish. Michael Saylor, CEO of MicroStrategy, denied reports of his company selling Bitcoin and reiterated a long-term accumulation strategy. "Bitcoin will outperform gold and the S&P 500 by the end of 2025," Saylor forecasted, reinforcing confidence in the asset's resilience. Similarly, Bitwise's Matt Hougan predicted a 2026 bull market, citing advancements in DeFi and tokenization as key catalysts.

The whale activity in Bitcoin positions contrasts sharply with the broader market's struggles. American Bitcoin's 1760-coin purchase, equivalent to $5.53 million, reflects a strategic bet on Bitcoin's long-term value. The company, now a standalone public entity after spinning out from Hut 8, has expanded its mining capacity to 25 exahash per second, further solidifying its position in the industry. This move comes as Bitcoin's mining reward halving approaches, with many investors speculating on its potential to drive price recovery in the coming months.