133,000 Bitcoins accumulated in a month ! What are the whales planning?
A new dynamic is observed among major Bitcoin holders. In recent weeks, the number of wallets with more than 100 BTC has reached its highest level in 17 months. This indicates a marked resurgence of interest from whales, those large investors in the sector. In the span of 30 days, these major players have accumulated more than 133,000 BTC, a colossal sum of 7.6 billion dollars. This record accumulation comes as small investors, alarmed by market fluctuations, shed their holdings, creating a contrast in investment behaviors.
The surge in whale wallets
The number of Bitcoin wallets containing more than 100 BTC has reached a level not seen in 17 months. In August, more than 283 wallets crossed this symbolic threshold, bringing the total to 16,120. This increase is described as a “hodling frenzy” by large Bitcoin holders, often called “whales.” These wallets collectively accumulated more than 133,000 BTC in a month, estimated at over 7.6 billion dollars. Adam BACK, CEO of Blockstream and inventor of Hashcash, observed this trend and noted that whales are buying 450 BTC per day since the price drop on August 28th, which corresponds to the daily production of newly mined bitcoins.
This accumulation coincides with a massive sell-off by smaller investors. Spooked by the price drop, they have seemingly parted with their holdings. The massive sales of small investors thus provide an opportunity for whales to strengthen their positions. This behavior of the whales is often seen as a key indicator of the market mood. Their aggressive accumulation could signal an anticipation of higher prices in the future.
A harbinger of a market reversal
The buying frenzy of whales comes in a mixed market context, as reflected by the Crypto Fear & Greed Index, which remained in the “Fear” zone at 26 for most of August. If the current trend continues, the number of people willing to sell their coins at a loss could double. Additionally, it could create favorable conditions for continued accumulation by whales, who seek to take advantage of weak prices to increase their positions.
However, the increase in whale purchases is not necessarily a sign of panic. The heightened activity of the whales could be a positive indicator for the market, reminding that significant purchases by these players have historically preceded new peaks for Bitcoin. Indeed, the last time whales accumulated so much, Bitcoin’s price reached a new all-time high. If this trend holds, it could mark the beginning of a new bullish phase.
The sudden increase in whale wallets like the 2000 BTC accumulated in 4 days indicates a strategic move by major market players, potentially in anticipation of a price rise. However, the overall market sentiment is marked by fear, which could offer additional opportunities for savvy investors.
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Diplômé de Sciences Po Toulouse et titulaire d'une certification consultant blockchain délivrée par Alyra, j'ai rejoint l'aventure Cointribune en 2019. Convaincu du potentiel de la blockchain pour transformer de nombreux secteurs de l'économie, j'ai pris l'engagement de sensibiliser et d'informer le grand public sur cet écosystème en constante évolution. Mon objectif est de permettre à chacun de mieux comprendre la blockchain et de saisir les opportunités qu'elle offre. Je m'efforce chaque jour de fournir une analyse objective de l'actualité, de décrypter les tendances du marché, de relayer les dernières innovations technologiques et de mettre en perspective les enjeux économiques et sociétaux de cette révolution en marche.
The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this article belong solely to the author, and should not be taken as investment advice. Do your own research before taking any investment decisions.