Bitcoin has had a volatile 2026, down 23.7 percent on a year-to-date (YTD) basis. However, the cryptocurrency’s recent drop has not deterred BTC whales from bolstering their reserves. Wallet data shows that whale accumulation of BTC is showing no signs of slowing down.
Bitcoin whales not slowing down
Although BTC’s price is down more than 50 percent from its all-time high of $126,080 recorded in October 2025, wallets holding between 1,000 to 10,000 BTC have further accelerated their rate of buying the top cryptocurrency by market cap at the fastest pace in months.
For the uninitiated, BTC whales are individuals or entities that hold large amounts of Bitcoin, typically 1,000 BTC or more, giving them the potential to influence market liquidity and price movements.
Because of their substantial holdings, changes in whale buying, selling, or transfer activity are closely monitored as indicators of broader market sentiment and institutional behavior.
Over the last 30 days alone, BTC whales have added another 48,000 BTC to their holdings. The cohort’s total BTC balance has surged back to levels last seen before the February 2026 drop – around 3.09 million BTC – even though the cryptocurrency’s price is significantly lower now.
According to analysts, BTC whales are now exhibiting an “institutional trading pattern.” Unlike retail investors – who tend to wait for “the perfect moment” to buy – institutions accumulate assets during times of weakness and sell during euphoria.
Crypto trader Ansem super-imposed BTC’s fractal from 2024 over its current price action on the 1-day chart. The trader shared the following chart, suggesting that the digital asset is likely close to its market bottom for this cycle, aligning with BTC whales’ behavior.
Concerns about institutional BTC selling
While BTC whales are scooping up BTC at discounted prices, the leading corporate holder of the cryptocurrency, Strategy, on July 6, sold a chunk of its holdings near the $62,000 level.
JP Morgan warned that Strategy’s change in financing shift could force it to sell even more of their BTC holdings. All these point toward BTC approaching a major market bottom.
Trading data supports this thesis, as BTC bullish MACD cross indicates that selling pressure may be fading.
