Double Victory Whale Liquidates 140 BTC Long Position, Profits $207,000

A major crypto whale liquidated a 140 BTC long position on January 12, 2026, securing a profit of $207,000. This move follows a broader trend of whale activity in early 2026, where large-scale positions are being closed or rebalanced. The whale's strategy appears to reflect a calculated exit from part of its long BTC position amid ongoing market consolidation.

The whale's BTC liquidation is a subset of a much larger $310 million long position across Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, and XRP. According to monitoring data, the whale holds 1,210 BTC, 32,474 ETH, 503,778 SOL, and 14.26 million XRP, totaling over $310 million in exposure. The accumulated profit from this portfolio has surpassed $9.4 million.

Earlier in January, another whale closed a short position of 20,100 ETH before going long with a 3X leveraged position. This shift highlights a broader market trend where whales are transitioning from bearish to bullish strategies.

Why the Move Happened

The whale's decision to liquidate a portion of its BTC position could be attributed to profit-taking amid a consolidation phase in the market. Bitcoin and other major cryptocurrencies have struggled to break through key resistance levels in early 2026, prompting strategic exits for some large investors.

This activity aligns with broader on-chain data suggesting that whales are increasingly favoring long positions. Lookonchain noted that this whale was previously known for shorting Bitcoin in 2025. The shift to long positions indicates a change in sentiment among large players.

How Markets Responded

Bitcoin's price action remained relatively muted following the whale's BTC liquidation. While the market typically reacts to large whale activity, the recent pullback in BTC has led to reduced sensitivity to short-term on-chain movements.

Ethereum and altcoins also showed mixed reactions. Ethereum saw a short position closure followed by a leveraged long position, contributing to broader bullish positioning. Solana and XRP maintained their respective price ranges, with whales continuing to hold significant exposure.

What Analysts Are Watching

Analysts are tracking whale activity as a key indicator for potential market direction. The whale's $310 million BTC, ETH, SOL, and XRP position is one of the largest on record, with over $9.4 million in accumulated profits.

Market watchers are also observing the whale's potential follow-up actions. The liquidation of 140 BTC does not indicate a full exit, and investors are watching for further signs of rebalancing or expansion.

The broader cryptocurrency market remains in a period of consolidation as whales and institutional investors assess the next phase of market momentum. With Bitcoin hovering around $90,000, the market is waiting for a catalyst that could break the current range.