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Large Bitcoin holders (whales) bought 46,000 BTC in the past week, ending a two‑year sell‑off and hinting at a potential new upward trend.
Bitcoin whales—addresses holding between 1,000 and 10,000 BTC—added roughly 46,000 BTC to their balances over the last week, marking the first annual net increase since late 2025 after a prolonged sell‑off [2]. This reversal follows a period of intense selling pressure that had been the strongest since early 2023.
Key takeaways
CryptoQuant data show that addresses holding 1,000–10,000 BTC reversed their downward trend by collectively buying 46,000 BTC in the past seven days. This modest but notable inflow comes after a year‑long net outflow of roughly 220,000 BTC, the sharpest reduction since early 2023. Analysts note that such a turnaround often precedes the start of a new upward price cycle, although the effect may not be immediate on the market price.
In contrast, “dolphin” addresses—those with 100–1,000 BTC, many of which belong to exchange funds and corporate reserves—experienced a steep decline. Their combined holdings fell to about 589,000 BTC, a drop of nearly 40 % from the October 2025 peak of almost 1 million BTC. Because dolphin activity typically fuels price momentum, the reduction in their inflows helps explain why the recent whale buying has not yet translated into higher Bitcoin prices.
Bitcoin, launched in January 2009 by the pseudonymous Satoshi Nakamoto, remains the largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, surpassing $1 trillion in 2021 and reaching an all‑time high of $64,863.10 in April 2021 [1]. Its supply is hard‑capped at 21 million coins, with new coins created through mining; the block reward stands at 6.25 BTC per block after the 2020 halving [1]. These structural features give Bitcoin a unique scarcity profile that underpins its appeal to large holders.
The recent whale activity may signal confidence among the biggest investors that the market is poised for a structural upswing. Historically, similar accumulations have preceded new bullish phases, though price reactions can lag behind on‑chain movements. Continued monitoring of both whale and dolphin behavior will be crucial to gauge whether the buying pressure translates into sustained price appreciation.
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AI-assisted synthesis by the TrendWatcher Editorial Desk · sourced from 2 outlets · Jun 11, 2026 · How we report
The two differ on how to interpret Strategy's capital structure, specifically whether issuing equity for cash is dilutive and how to properly calculate net asset value metrics.
Saylor argues that issuing equity for cash or bitcoin is not dilutive because shareholders receive tangible assets in return, which strengthens the company's balance sheet.
mNAV stands for multiple-to-net asset value, a metric used to assess company valuation that can include common equity, preferred equity, and convertible debt.
The shift from net selling to net buying among Bitcoin’s largest holders suggests a potential change in market sentiment after a two‑year decline. While the immediate price impact remains muted—partly due to reduced inflows from mid‑size holders—the on‑chain data provide an early indicator that institutional and high‑net‑worth participants may be positioning for a longer‑term rally. Future price dynamics will likely depend on whether this accumulation accelerates and whether broader market participants, including the “dolphin” cohort, re‑engage with buying pressure.