-
Big Bitcoin holders are confident, moving $1M+ coins, hinting they’re preparing for future opportunities.
-
Long-time holders and medium investors are selling, putting pressure on prices despite whale accumulation.
-
Weak U.S. institutional demand adds caution, creating a mixed market picture for Bitcoin near $89K.
Bitcoin markets are under the spotlight as large holders, or whales, actively adjust their positions. Data from Santiment shows that wallets holding at least 1,000 BTC added 104,340 coins, a 1.5% increase. These whales now control 7.17 million BTC—the most since September 15, 2025.
Despite the market’s volatility, large Bitcoin holders are exhibiting confidence, according to Santiment data. Whales are actively transferring their coins, as seen by the two-month high in transfers of more than $1 million. These investors might be getting ready for fresh market possibilities.
Santiment noted that these actions demonstrate that large investors are discreetly purchasing additional Bitcoin rather than selling. This implies that they are optimistic about Bitcoin’s prospects for the upcoming months. However, not all market signs are as optimistic. While whales are holding more coins and moving large amounts, other data shows some caution, making the market’s overall picture a bit mixed.
Market Indicators Signal Caution
Even though whales are buying more Bitcoin, crypto analyst EgyHash points out some warning signs. Bitcoin’s demand chart shows that the strong buying seen in mid-2025 has turned into negative demand in January 2026. This means long-time holders are selling their coins faster than new buyers can take them, putting downward pressure on the price.
Also, the chart tracking whales’ year-over-year holdings shows they are starting to reduce their Bitcoin instead of adding more. In the past, this usually meant big investors were stepping back from the market. On top of that, data on medium-to-large investors, called ‘dolphins,’ shows they have moved from buying heavily to taking profits. This suggests that several types of investors are now selling rather than holding.
Moreover, the Coinbase Premium Index sits in deep negative territory, implying weak institutional demand from the U.S. market. “All four indicators are currently showing a bearish convergence,” EgyHash noted, emphasizing that both whales and dolphins are selling, contributing to the current $89.4K price dip.
Disclaimer: The information on this page may come from third parties and does not represent the views or opinions of Gate. The content displayed on this page is for reference only and does not constitute any financial, investment, or legal advice. Gate does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information and shall not be liable for any losses arising from the use of this information. Virtual asset investments carry high risks and are subject to significant price volatility. You may lose all of your invested principal. Please fully understand the relevant risks and make prudent decisions based on your own financial situation and risk tolerance. For details, please refer to
Disclaimer.
Related Articles
Morgan Stanley Bitcoin ETF Drives 3-Fold Impact as 16,000 Advisors Open Path to Multi-Billion Demand
Bitcoin demand is set to expand rapidly as Morgan Stanley deploys its 16,000 advisors and launches a low-cost ETF, driving institutional inflows and strengthening crypto’s position in mainstream portfolios.
Key Takeaways:
Morgan Stanley’s 16,000 advisors unlock major bitcoin demand, driving
Coinpedia1h ago
DWF Labs Co-Founder: The current market is boring, but it hasn’t disappeared—builders or investors still have a lot to do.
DWF Labs co-founder Andrei Grachev said the market is currently in a “boring” phase, with many important activities quietly underway. He advised investors to stay patient and look for a better timing. He emphasized that opportunities still exist in the market—such as holding Bitcoin or participating in altcoins—and urged retail investors to keep learning and remain optimistic.
GateNews2h ago
Researchers propose a transaction scheme for quantum-resistant Bitcoin without needing a fork
Gate News message, on April 12, a researcher proposed a transaction scheme that enables quantum-resilient protection for Bitcoin without requiring a fork. At present, the quantum computing threat to Bitcoin is still at the theoretical level. Meanwhile, tech companies such as Google and Cloudflare have already begun preparing countermeasures and set a target timeline to complete the migration of quantum cryptography after 2029.
GateNews2h ago
Contract whale “sets 10 big targets first” — the short position is up $3.21 million; the BTC short opening price is $71,554.61.
Gate News message, April 12, according to on-chain analyst Ai Yi (@ai_9684xtpa) statistics, the short positions of the contract whale “first set 10 big targets” (@Jason60704294) are currently up $3.21 million. Of this, the BTC short positions are 2,567.49 BTC, with an opening price of $71,554.61, and an unrealized profit of $1.19M; the ETH short positions are 38,465.22 ETH, with an opening price of $2,248.74, and an unrealized profit of $2.03M.
GateNews3h ago
$789 Million Fresh Capital: Bitcoin ETFs See Highest Weekly Inflow Since February - U.Today
Bitcoin ETFs saw a significant resurgence with $789 million in weekly inflows, the highest since February. BlackRock led the charge, contributing 80% of this total, signaling renewed institutional interest in the market after a period of withdrawals.
UToday3h ago
Strategy Yesterday increased its holdings of 3,447 BTC through STRC, worth $250 million
Gate News message: On April 12, according to @BitcoinArchive monitoring, Strategy added 3,447 bitcoins worth $250 million yesterday (April 11) through its perpetual preferred stock product STRC. This increase is equivalent to the supply of bitcoin mined by the network over the past 8 days.
GateNews3h ago
