Bitcoin News Today: Galaxy Digital's $9B BTC Sale Triggers 3% Price Drop Bitcoin Rebounds to $117,000

Bitcoin’s price experienced significant volatility in late July 2025 following the execution of a landmark transaction by Galaxy Digital, one of the largest Bitcoin sales in history. The firm facilitated the sale of approximately 80,000 BTC—valued at $9 billion—for a Satoshi-era investor, marking a major liquidation of early Bitcoin holdings. The transaction, which occurred amid heightened market activity, initially triggered a 3% price drop as large volumes of BTC were transferred to exchanges, resulting in $646 million in liquidations across crypto derivatives markets. Bitcoin briefly fell below $115,000 on July 19, its lowest since late June 2025, before rebounding to reclaim $117,000 within days. Analysts noted the market’s swift absorption of the sell-off, with Joe Consorti of Theya commenting that “80,000 BTC, over $9 billion, was sold into open market order books, and Bitcoin barely moved” [3].

The transaction underscored the outsized influence of institutional movements in the crypto market. Galaxy Digital, a prominent crypto services provider, described the event as “one of the largest national Bitcoin transactions in the history of crypto,” emphasizing its role in enabling exits for early adopters. The sale coincided with broader market turbulence, as Bitcoin and other assets faced pressure following recent peaks. Santiment analysts highlighted that the price drop pushed Bitcoin out of a “greed zone,” potentially signaling a shift in investor sentiment toward caution [4]. This aligns with historical patterns where large sell-offs often precede renewed buying interest, particularly when retail demand remains subdued.

Market observers dissected the dual impact of the transaction: while the immediate liquidity shock pressured prices, the resolution of the sale removed a key overhang for Bitcoin. The asset’s subsequent stabilization above $117,000 demonstrated resilience, driven by speculation that the early investor’s exit had already been priced in by the market. Analysts also contrasted Bitcoin’s performance with Ethereum, which had surged 147% since April 2025, reflecting divergent investor behavior during periods of large-scale institutional activity. This divergence highlighted the fragmented dynamics of the crypto market when faced with significant institutional trades.

The transaction’s implications for Bitcoin’s supply dynamics were another focal point. The movement of 80,000 BTC—representing roughly 0.4% of the total supply—onto exchanges increased short-term selling pressure. However, the absence of further large transfers post-sale suggested a temporary equilibrium in the market. IntoTheBlock data indicated a 13.4% decline in Bitcoin’s large transaction volume in the days following the event, signaling reduced uncertainty among participants [5]. While such activity typically intensifies short-term volatility, the market’s quick normalization pointed to confidence in Bitcoin’s ability to withstand large-scale movements.

Long-term analysts remain cautiously optimistic despite the immediate turbulence. Citigroup predicted Bitcoin could reach $135,000 by year-end in a best-case scenario, citing demand for spot Bitcoin ETFs, favorable macroeconomic trends, and growing adoption. However, the firm’s forecast was framed as speculative, with actual market behavior showing Bitcoin stabilizing around $117,300 in the following week. The event served as a reminder of the crypto market’s sensitivity to large institutional trades, particularly those involving legacy holdings. As Bitcoin approaches its next halving event, the interplay between supply-side pressures and institutional demand will likely remain critical for price analysis.

Sources:

[1] [Bitcoin Rebounds After Galaxy Completes Sale of $9B BTC](https://www.coindesk.com/markets/2025/07/25/bitcoin-rebounds-after-galaxy-completes-sale-of-usd9b-btc-from-satoshi-era-whale)

[2] [Bitcoin Falls 3% After Galaxy Digital's $9B BTC Sale](https://www.ainvest.com/news/bitcoin-news-today-bitcoin-falls-3-galaxy-digital-9b-btc-sale-triggers-market-pressure-2507/)

[3] [Galaxy Digital Completes $9 Billion Bitcoin Sale for Satoshi](https://www.rootdata.com/news/142105)

[4] [Is This the Ultimate Bullish Signal for BTC and XRP?](https://cryptopotato.com/is-this-the-ultimate-bullish-signal-for-btc-and-xrp/)

[5] [Bitcoin Holds Ground As Ethereum, XRP, Dogecoin Wobble](https://finance.yahoo.com/news/bitcoin-holds-ground-ethereum-xrp-183107105.html)