Day Trader Whale Liquidates 100 BTC Long Position, Loses $270,000

A large day trader, commonly referred to as a 'whale,' recently liquidated a 100 BTC long position, incurring a $270,000 loss. The trade highlights the risks associated with leveraged positions during volatile market conditions according to reports.

Meanwhile, Bitcoin spot ETFs have recorded a significant inflow of $1.8 billion for the week, marking the strongest inflow since early October 2025. However, total assets under management remain 24% below the previous all-time high, indicating that the recovery is still in its early stages as data shows.

Ethereum ETFs have also shown strong inflows. BlackRock's Ethereum ETF, for example, reported a daily inflow of $149.2 million on Jan 16, 2026. This marks the fourth consecutive day of inflows into Ethereum ETFs, with a total of $164.4 million added in the latest session according to Farside reports.

Why Did This Happen?

The Bitcoin ETF inflows have been driven by institutional demand, which continues to outpace new Bitcoin supply. Since the launch of US Bitcoin ETFs in January 2024, they have purchased approximately 710,777 BTC, while the network has produced only 363,047 BTC over the same period. This imbalance suggests that ETF demand is a key driver of Bitcoin's price action as analysis indicates.

In Ethereum's case, ETFs are also seeing robust inflows. The Ethereum network has recorded a 28-month high in active addresses, reaching 995,779 on Jan 15. This increase in activity is being attributed to renewed institutional buying and strong on-chain metrics according to Cointelegraph.

How Did Markets Respond?

Bitcoin prices have risen approximately 94% since the launch of the first US Bitcoin ETF in January 2024. The price has recently tested the $98,000 level, signaling renewed institutional interest as market data shows.

Ethereum, on the other hand, is trading around $3,310, with a year-to-date gain of 11%. The price is currently supported by the 100-day EMA at $3,290 and faces resistance at the 200-day EMA at $3,339. Traders are watching for a break above this level to confirm a short-term bullish outlook according to FXStreet analysis.

What Are Analysts Watching Next?

Analysts are closely monitoring Bitcoin ETF flows and Ethereum's on-chain activity to gauge the sustainability of the current rally. According to Ecoinometrics, Bitcoin needs consistent inflows over multiple weeks to sustain an uptrend rather than short bursts of buying as research shows.

In Ethereum's case, the MACD indicator remains a key focus. If the histogram bars continue to expand above the zero line, it could affirm a short-term bullish outlook for the token according to FXStreet analysis.

Additionally, the Ethereum network's ability to maintain strong transaction volumes and active addresses is being viewed as a positive sign for long-term holders. Analysts suggest that the current inflows into ETFs could encourage further accumulation at current price levels as reported.

The high-profile whale that built a $900 million leveraged position in Ethereum, Bitcoin, and Solana is also being closely watched. This trader has historically positioned itself during periods of market consolidation and uncertainty. With unrealized gains of $40 million and cumulative profits near $135 million, the whale's strategy is seen as a sign of calculated aggression rather than reckless speculation according to CoinFomania.

Overall, the market is showing signs of renewed institutional interest in both Bitcoin and Ethereum. While the recent inflows into ETFs are a positive sign, analysts caution that sustained buying over multiple weeks will be needed to confirm a durable uptrend in Bitcoin. For Ethereum, the focus remains on technical indicators and on-chain metrics to determine the next phase of price action.