Bitcoin Whales Surge 132% Overnight Amid Trump Tariff Pause

Bitcoin's largest holders, known as whales, have experienced a notable surge in activity, with the number of wallets controlling 10 or more BTC increasing by 132 overnight. This marks the most significant growth since February and follows President Trump’s announcement to pause tariffs, which has alleviated market fears. According to Santiment, this increase in whale activity could signal renewed institutional confidence in Bitcoin. However, there are skeptics who question whether this reflects genuine accumulation or short-term positioning.

The cohort of wallets holding 10+ BTC had been declining for several weeks before this sudden spike. Historically, such rapid whale accumulation has preceded bullish phases, as observed in February’s rally. These investors likely took advantage of the tariff-induced dip, viewing it as a buying opportunity. Their re-entry suggests long-term conviction, but the timing, which aligns with political news, raises questions about sustainability versus reactive trading.

Trump’s tariff pause may have temporarily eased institutional fears, but Bitcoin’s future still depends on broader economic trends. Bitcoin whale activity alone cannot override macro pressures such as inflation or Fed policy. Notably, this surge hasn’t yet translated into equivalent price momentum, with BTC struggling to reclaim key resistance levels. For a true bull run, retail participation must complement whale accumulation, a dynamic that has been absent in recent weeks.

The BTC/USDT 15-minute chart shows consolidation just below the resistance zone around $83,800–$84,200, with support levels at $79,000 and $75,000. The current Bitcoin price is $83,085, showing hesitation near the resistance, indicating potential for either a breakout or a rejection. The RSI indicator currently reads 46.55, sitting in neutral territory. It previously flagged overbought and oversold conditions, aligning well with price reversals. Notably, recent overbought signals preceded short-term corrections, reinforcing RSI’s reliability for momentum insight.

MACD shows a past “Death Cross,” followed by declining momentum. Although the histogram has narrowed, MACD lines remain below the zero line, suggesting weak bullish momentum or possible continuation of consolidation. Price action appears range-bound with no clear breakout above resistance yet. Traders might look for a breakout confirmation for bullish bias or a rejection at resistance to target support zones. Until then, the range between $79,000 and $84,000 provides trading opportunities. RSI and MACD should be monitored closely for early directional cues.

Bitcoin’s whale resurgence signals potential bullish momentum, but sustainability remains uncertain. While large holders’ accumulation hints at confidence, broader market factors, Fed policy, retail participation, and macroeconomic pressures will dictate BTC’s next move. The current consolidation near resistance suggests indecision; a breakout could validate whale optimism, while rejection may trigger retests of lower supports. For now, traders should watch for confirmation beyond whale activity alone. Bitcoin’s trajectory hinges on aligning institutional moves with macroeconomic tailwinds or facing another volatile stall.