Bitcoin News Today: Satoshi-Era Whale Sells $9B BTC, Bitcoin Dips Below $118K

Bitcoin’s price dropped below $118,000 following the sale of 80,000 BTC—valued at approximately $9 billion—by a long-dormant whale, marking one of the largest single transactions in recent market history. The sudden liquidity event, executed via Galaxy Digital on July 25, triggered immediate volatility across major exchanges, with Bitcoin briefly dipping to $115,000 before partially recovering to $118,380 by July 28 [2]. The transaction, attributed to a “Satoshi-era” investor’s estate planning, raised questions about the influence of early adopters on market stability and the broader implications for investor sentiment [2].

The sell-off underscored the sensitivity of crypto markets to large-scale movements by institutional and ultra-wealthy holders. Despite the sharp decline, institutional demand remained robust, with U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs recording $2.5 billion in inflows, reflecting continued confidence in the asset class [1]. Meanwhile, Ethereum (ETH) outperformed Bitcoin in the aftermath, climbing to nearly $3,900, driven by $1.85 billion in weekly inflows into ETH ETFs, the second-highest on record [2]. Analysts noted that constrained liquidity in Ethereum could position it to outperform Bitcoin in the short term, though such forecasts remain speculative [2].

Market reactions highlighted the dual pressures of whale activity and regulatory uncertainty. Over 24 hours, $353 million in crypto positions were liquidated, with Bitcoin accounting for $56 million of that total. The total market capitalization fell below $4 trillion, a 4% decline, as trading volume surged to $174 billion amid heightened uncertainty [2]. Analysts Scott Melker and Joe Consorti observed that the price dip was relatively modest given the scale of the sale, suggesting Bitcoin’s growing institutional depth and resilience to large sell orders [1][4]. However, debates persist about the ideological motivations behind such sales, with some viewing them as signs of shifting long-term strategies among early Bitcoin holders [1].

Political developments further complicated the outlook. The impending White House crypto policy report, which will outline guidelines for managing seized Bitcoin reserves and establish a federal regulatory framework, remains a key risk factor. Bo Hines, the White House’s crypto adviser, emphasized the report’s role in shaping long-term market dynamics, though its immediate impact remains speculative [1]. The interplay between regulatory clarity and large-scale market events will likely define Bitcoin’s trajectory in the coming months.

While the price rebounded to $118,000 by mid-August, the event exposed the fragility of market absorption capacity in the face of extreme liquidity shocks. Analysts remain divided: some argue that such whale sales signal maturing infrastructure and investor confidence, while others caution against frequent large-scale disposals destabilizing the market [1][4]. For now, Bitcoin’s ability to stabilize post-sale reflects a shift toward institutional maturity, though the long-term effects of whale activity—and regulatory interventions—remain uncertain.

Source:

[1] ["$9 Billion Exit by Satoshi-Era BTC Whale Sparks Debate"](https://www.coindesk.com/markets/2025/07/27/usd9-billion-exit-by-satoshi-era-btc-whale-sparks-debate-are-bitcoin-ogs-losing-faith)

[2] ["Crypto Markets Hold Steady as Bitcoin Recovers from $9B"](https://thedefiant.io/news/markets/crypto-markets-hold-steady-as-bitcoin-recovers-from-usd9b-whale-sale)

[4] ["Whale Awakens, Sells 80000 BTC — Will the Bulls…"](https://www.binance.com/square/post/27547785307418)

[5] ["Dormant Whale Sells $80000 BTC, But Bitcoin Bulls Still In…"](https://www.newsbtc.com/news/bitcoin/dormant-whale-sells-80000-btc-but-bitcoin-bulls-still-in-control/)