Shifts in the Crypto Market: BTC Holders Hold Tight, ETH Whales Stock Up

The cryptocurrency market is experiencing a notable shift. Long-term Bitcoin holders are reducing their selling activity after months of consistent decreases, while significant Ethereum wallets are increasing their token quantities, as reported recently. Traders are moving cautiously as price fluctuations occur and data presents mixed signals regarding the future direction of capital flow.

Key Takeaways

Bitcoin Holders: Long-term Bitcoin holders, with wallets active for at least 155 days, have decreased their total from around 15 million coins in July to just over 14 million in December.
Ethereum Whales: Large holders of Ethereum (ETH) have acquired approximately 120,000 ETH since December 26, controlling about 70% of the supply as of late 2024.
Market Behavior: The pause in Bitcoin selling by long-term holders could indicate a potential market shift, though it does not guarantee a price uptrend.
Market Dynamics: Recent reports suggest some capital may be moving from precious metals into cryptocurrencies due to price pressures in the traditional market.

Crypto

Increasing Holdings Among Ether Whales

Recent reports sourced from CryptoQuant and various crypto newsletters indicate that addresses with significant ETH holdings have collectively bought roughly 120,000 tokens since December 26. Analysts from Milk Road noted that wallets holding more than 1,000 ETH now control about 70% of the total Ethereum supply, a figure that has seen an upward trend since late 2024.

The concentration of holdings among a few wallets suggests strong commitment from these investors, but it also raises the concern of potential market instability should these large holders decide to sell their assets. This aspect could significantly affect market liquidity and lead to notable price fluctuations.

Long-Term Bitcoin Holders Halt Selling

Crypto investor Ted Pillows highlighted on the social media platform X that long-term Bitcoin holders have stopped selling the asset for the first time since July 2025, marking a potential turning point in the behavior of these investors. This shift is often interpreted as a sign of exhaustion after a prolonged period of distribution, suggesting that sellers may have temporarily ceased their activities. However, it is essential to note that this does not guarantee a new upward trend in prices.

Market Analysis

Garrett Jin, previously with BitForex, suggested that some funds might be transferring from precious metals to cryptocurrencies, particularly after a recent short squeeze in markets for these metals. There have been reports of significant gains in silver and platinum, which form part of the broader market context. Concurrently, Bitcoin has been trading within a narrow range, fluctuating between $86,740 and $90,060 over the past week, a behavior that has kept traders on high alert.

The price of silver, for example, surged by over 1,570% this year, a remarkable change that will require further substantiation. Meanwhile, Bitcoin continues to trade considerably below its all-time highs. Some analysts believe that factors such as subdued demand for ETFs and the intricate mechanics of market derivatives play a more critical role in price movements than prevailing public sentiment.

BTC Trading BTCUSD is currently trading at $87,880. Chart: TradingView

In conclusion, the current data indicates a market that is stabilizing rather than experiencing a definitive rally. While large holders of Ethereum are continuing to buy, long-term Bitcoin holders have paused their selling activities, but the inflows in the U.S. market appear weak.

Featured image from GaijinPot Blog, chart from TradingView