Bitcoin Whales Holding 1,000-10,000 BTC Record Fastest Decline in Holdings Since 2023
- Why Are Bitcoin Whales Dumping Their Holdings?
- Spot BTC ETFs: A $681 Million Exodus
- Binance: The Whale’s Playground
- Bitcoin Price: Stuck Below $95K?
- FAQs: Whale Activity Unpacked
Bitcoin whales holding between 1,000 and 10,000 BTC have slashed their holdings by a staggering 220,000 BTC since March 2024—the steepest drop since early 2023. On-chain data suggests these large holders are bracing for deeper market corrections, with exchange inflows spiking and spot BTC ETFs bleeding millions. Meanwhile, Binance dominates whale deposits, while new institutional buyers quietly accumulate. Here’s the full breakdown.
Why Are Bitcoin Whales Dumping Their Holdings?
Glassnode data reveals that addresses holding 1,000-10,000 BTC have reduced their balances by 220,000 BTC over the past year, plummeting from a peak of 409,000 BTC in March 2024. This marks the most aggressive sell-off since 2023, signaling caution amid market uncertainty. Notably, Julio Moreno of CryptoQuant highlighted that whale balances (excluding exchange addresses) are declining—a bearish omen. Meanwhile, whale deposits on exchanges hit a 10-month high, suggesting mounting sell pressure.
Spot BTC ETFs: A $681 Million Exodus
Last week, spot bitcoin ETFs saw net outflows of $681 million, with January 7 alone recording $486 million in withdrawals. Despite a $697 million inflow on Monday, demand faltered thereafter. December was worse, with over $1 billion in net outflows. As of January 2026, these funds are off to a rocky start, bleeding $209 million year-to-date. "Whales aren’t buying the dip," noted Moreno, emphasizing distribution trends.
Binance: The Whale’s Playground
Binance now hosts 71% of stablecoin deposits and a growing share of BTC inflows. CryptoQuant data shows Binance’s average daily BTC deposits surged to 22.81 in January—echoing 2025’s sell-off patterns. Whales seem to be capitalizing on brief rallies, like October’s liquidation rebound, before exiting. However, not all are selling: On January 7, three wallets scooped up 3,000 BTC ($280 million). Santiment reports 50% of recent BTC demand comes from new whale buyers, undeterred by price volatility.
Bitcoin Price: Stuck Below $95K?
BTC currently trades at $90,667 (CoinMarketCap), up 1.12% in 24 hours but struggling to reclaim its January 5 high of $95,000. The BTCC team observes that institutional interest is rising, yet whale skepticism lingers. "This isn’t 2021’s euphoria—it’s a calculated game," one analyst remarked. With exchange reserves swelling and ETFs bleeding, the market’s next MOVE hinges on whether retail can offset whale exits.
FAQs: Whale Activity Unpacked
How much BTC have whales sold since 2024?
Whales holding 1,000-10,000 BTC dumped 220,000 BTC since March 2024, per Glassnode.
Are all whales selling Bitcoin?
No. While many are offloading, some new whales bought 3,000 BTC ($280 million) on January 7.
Why is Binance seeing more BTC deposits?
Binance’s liquidity and dominance attract whales during volatility. Its BTC deposits hit a 22.81 daily average in January.
