Bitcoin Whales Accumulate 0.15% More BTC Amid Retail Sell-Off

Bitcoin whales have been actively accumulating the cryptocurrency while retail investors have been selling off their holdings. This trend has emerged as a potential bullish signal for the market. As of June 19, 2025, wallets holding 10 or more BTC have increased by 231 over the past 10 days—a modest 0.15% rise—while wallets with 0.001 to 10 BTC have dropped by 37,465, reflecting waning retail confidence. With Bitcoin’s market value hovering just above $104,300, this pattern of institutional accumulation amid retail sell-off has historically preceded significant market upturns.

This divergence in wallet activity is significant because it indicates that large investors are taking advantage of the lower prices to increase their holdings, which could lead to a price rebound in the future. The Santiment chart accompanying the post reveals a 23% surge in whale wallets and a 0.04% volume increase over 60 days, aligning with pre-bull-run indicators such as declining exchange reserves. This mirrors trends observed in the 2020 bull cycle, where whale accumulation during periods of retail doubt fueled price rallies, as noted in a 2021 National Bureau of Economic Research study on crypto market dynamics.

The current market sentiment is further shaped by the Federal Reserve’s decision on June 18 to hold interest rates steady at 4.25-4.50%, amid weaker growth forecasts and persistent inflation, potentially driving large investors to Bitcoin as a hedge. Analysts suggest this consolidation phase could signal an impending upturn. “When large wallets accumulate as retail loses confidence, it’s historically the right combination for bullish momentum,” Santiment’s post asserts. The data echoes findings from Cointelegraph, which reported similar whale accumulation trends in March 2025, correlating with Bitcoin’s resilience above $81,000.

As the crypto community watches closely, the interplay of macroeconomic factors and on-chain metrics could set the stage for Bitcoin’s next major move. The trend of whale accumulation is not unique to Bitcoin. Other cryptocurrencies, such as Ethereum, have also seen significant whale activity. For instance, Ethereum has outperformed Bitcoin recently, backed by heavy whale accumulation and institutional ETF inflows. This trend suggests that institutional investors are increasingly interested in cryptocurrencies, which could further drive up prices.

The accumulation by whales is a bullish signal because it indicates that large investors are confident in the long-term prospects of the cryptocurrency. When whales accumulate, they are essentially betting that the price of the cryptocurrency will rise in the future. This can create a self-reinforcing cycle, where the accumulation by whales drives up the price, which in turn attracts more investors and further drives up the price. However, it is important to note that the accumulation by whales is not a guarantee of future price increases. The cryptocurrency market is highly volatile, and prices can fluctuate rapidly. Additionally, the accumulation by whales could be a sign of market manipulation, where large investors are artificially driving up the price to sell at a higher price later.

In conclusion, the trend of whale accumulation in Bitcoin is a potential bullish signal for the market. However, investors should be cautious and do their own research before making any investment decisions. The cryptocurrency market is highly volatile, and prices can fluctuate rapidly. Additionally, the accumulation by whales could be a sign of market manipulation, and investors should be aware of this risk. For now, investors are advised to monitor wallet trends and volume shifts, with Santiment’s tools offering valuable insights into this evolving narrative.