On-Chain Whale Radar

Large BTC sales and withdrawals reveal confident long-term accumulation

Large BTC sales and withdrawals reveal confident long-term accumulation

Whale Moves Shape Bitcoin Flows

Large BTC Sales and Withdrawals Reveal Confident Long-Term Accumulation and Market Maturation

Bitcoin’s on-chain activity continues to reflect a dynamic landscape where strategic moves by whales, institutional players, and long-term holders paint a picture of a market evolving beyond impulsive trading toward a mature, institutional-backed store of value. Recent developments underscore significant large-scale transfers, reactivation of dormant wallets, and sustained accumulation patterns—all signaling deep confidence in Bitcoin’s future and resilience amidst volatility.


Recent Large BTC Flows: Tactical Moves and Strategic Accumulation

Massive Whale Deposits and Withdrawals

In the past few weeks, the market has seen notable large transactions involving prominent wallet addresses:

  • $425 million worth of Bitcoin transferred to Binance—one of the largest single on-chain movements—suggests sustained whale activity. While such inflows can introduce short-term volatility, they often serve as indicators of deep institutional engagement and liquidity provision rather than panic selling.
  • A new whale wallet recently withdrew 500 BTC (~$44 million) from Binance, which appears to be a strategic withdrawal. This move may reflect profit-taking or portfolio rebalancing, yet the broader context indicates long-term confidence rather than distress.

Institutional Transfers into Custody and Cold Storage

Major institutional actors continue to shift substantial sums into custody solutions:

  • BlackRock, alongside other prominent asset managers, transferred over 2,268 BTC and 45,324 ETH (~$247.7 million) directly into Coinbase Prime. These moves highlight long-term strategic positioning and belief in Bitcoin’s future as a core asset.
  • Other funds, such as MARAHoldings, have executed large transfers into cold storage, reinforcing accumulation strategies aimed at long-term holding.
  • During December 2025, liquidity providers like Wintermute rebalanced their portfolios, executing strategic repositioning involving over 1,200 BTC (~$107 million), further emphasizing institutional confidence.

Miner and Large Investor Activity

  • Mining firms have been consolidating coins into cold storage, with some selling portions to cover operational costs, but primarily accumulating for the long term.
  • The balance between withdrawals into cold storage and deposits onto exchanges continues to favor accumulation, reinforcing market confidence and resilience.

Evidence of Deepening Long-Term Accumulation

Record Reactivation of Dormant Wallets and Address Growth

On-chain data reveals a record-high activity among large holders:

  • Approximately 60,000 BTC has been added to long-term addresses amidst ongoing miner outflows.
  • The whale balance has rebounded by roughly 21% since early 2025, signaling renewed reaccumulation and strong conviction among top addresses.
  • A particularly notable event is the reactivation of a 13-year dormant wallet, which transferred about 1,200 BTC (~$84.6 million) into active circulation. This act underscores deep confidence in Bitcoin’s long-term potential and the market’s maturation.

Cross-Asset Long Positions: ETH Accumulation

Adding to Bitcoin’s bullish narrative, recent on-chain data shows significant ETH activity among large addresses:

  • Two prominent addresses have long positions totaling approximately 120,000 ETH, with an unrealized profit of over $5.6 million.
  • One address, holding around 60,000 ETH, opened a position at an average price of $1,991.53, currently in profit.
  • This pattern of large-scale ETH accumulation, alongside BTC, underscores a broad institutional confidence across multiple assets within the crypto ecosystem.

Behavioral Shift: From Profit-Taking to Strategic Holding

Analysis indicates a paradigm shift:

  • Whales and institutional investors are buying during dips and reactivating dormant wallets, reflecting belief in Bitcoin’s long-term upside.
  • Such behavioral changes suggest that the market is increasingly matured, driven by strategic accumulation rather than short-term profit-taking.

Market Resilience and Liquidity Dynamics

Support Levels and Price Action

Despite episodic large transactions, support levels near $88,000–$89,000 have held firm. Resistance zones around $92,000 are being tested amid bullish momentum, supported by:

  • Record large address activity
  • Institutional transfers
  • Reactivation of long-dormant wallets

This resilience indicates deep liquidity pools and growing investor confidence, capable of absorbing shocks without systemic panic.

Stablecoin and DeFi Flows

  • USDC and other stablecoins on platforms like Base have experienced record volumes, fueling liquidity injections and arbitrage opportunities.
  • These stablecoin flows bolster market stability, especially during periods of large on-chain movements or macroeconomic volatility.

Rising Exchange-Whale Ratio and Active Rebalancing

CryptoQuant’s recent analysis highlights a sharp increase in whale deposit activity and a rising exchange-whale ratio, indicating:

  • Active rebalancing among large holders.
  • Increased re-entry or consolidation of positions.
  • Reinforced long-term confidence even during short-term fluctuations.

Recent $425 million deposits into Binance and other large inflows exemplify high-stakes engagement by major players.


Additional Cross-Asset Flows: ETH Accumulation by Large Addresses

A noteworthy development is the accumulation of ETH by institutional addresses:

  • Two sizable addresses have long positions totaling roughly 120,000 ETH, with a profit of over $5.6 million.
  • One address, with about 60,000 ETH, opened its position at an average of $1,991.53, now in profit.
  • This demonstrates broad institutional confidence across multiple leading cryptocurrencies, reinforcing the narrative of a maturing, institutionalized ecosystem.

Key Developments Reinforcing Confidence

  • Large transfers into custody and strategic withdrawals by whales and institutions.
  • Reactivation of a 13-year dormant wallet, transferring ~1,200 BTC, symbolizing deep conviction.
  • Massive inflows into Binance, including $425 million and other multi-hundred-million dollar deposits.
  • Large ETH positions among major addresses, highlighting cross-asset institutional interest.

Current Status and Outlook

The market continues to demonstrate resilience amidst significant on-chain movements:

  • Support levels at ~$88,000–$89,000 have held firm.
  • Resistance near $92,000 is being challenged, supported by active institutional flows and long-term accumulation.
  • The combination of tactical profit-taking, institutional inflows, and reactivation of dormant wallets points to a mature, confidence-driven ecosystem.

Implications for Investors and Participants

  • Long-term confidence remains robust, underpinning further accumulation and potential upward trends.
  • The market’s ability to absorb large movements without systemic panic emphasizes deep liquidity and trust.
  • As resistance levels are tested, sustained institutional involvement and on-chain activity suggest upside potential and continued growth.

In Summary

Recent developments—ranging from large whale deposits and withdrawals to record reactivation of dormant wallets, massive institutional inflows, and cross-asset accumulation—highlight Bitcoin’s evolving market structure. The behavioral shift from short-term profit-taking to strategic, long-term accumulation underscores a mature, resilient market.

Furthermore, the accumulation of ETH by large addresses, with over 120,000 ETH long positions and significant unrealized profits, signals broad institutional confidence across multiple assets, reinforcing Bitcoin’s role as the cornerstone of the ecosystem.

While volatility persists due to large on-chain movements, the fundamentals—deep liquidity, institutional commitment, and increasing on-chain activity—affirm a bullish long-term outlook. The market’s capacity to absorb shocks and advance strategic positions indicates a mature asset class poised for sustained growth amid macroeconomic and regulatory evolution.

Sources (7)
Updated Feb 26, 2026
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