Whale Sell-Off of 115,000 BTC Slows, Market Shows Resilience

In a significant market event, Bitcoin "whales"—entities holding between 1,000 and 10,000 BTC—have executed the largest sell-off since mid-2022, offloading approximately 115,000 BTC in the last month. This sell-off, which translates to an estimated value of $12.7 billion, reflected intense risk aversion among these major investors and contributed to short-term pressure on Bitcoin's price, pushing it below the $108,000 mark.

Sep 8, 2025 - 11:15
Whale Sell-Off of 115,000 BTC Slows, Market Shows Resilience

Market Context

The large-scale whale distribution reflected short-term risk aversion but was met with structural buying from institutions. Analysts highlight that institutional demand has acted as a stabilizer, countering whale-led volatility and keeping Bitcoin in a relatively narrow trading range.


Technical Details

  • Whale Movements: Sell-offs peaked in early September with 95,000 BTC offloaded in one week. Current weekly sales are down to 38,000 BTC.

  • Price Impact: This sharp decline in selling pressure helped BTC stabilize after briefly trading below $108,000.

  • Long-Term Growth: The one-year moving average has risen from $52,000 last year to $94,000, with projections pointing toward $100,000+ in the coming month.

  • Institutional Counterbalance: Nick Ruck of LVRG Research described institutional accumulation as a key “structural counterbalance” to whale-driven downside pressure.


Analyst Perspectives

Analysts note that while whale selling remains a headwind, the resilience of institutional demand underscores Bitcoin’s maturation as a macro asset. Still, they caution that unexpected macro shocks or regulatory tightening could trigger renewed volatility.


Global Impact Note

The slowdown in whale sell-offs may strengthen Bitcoin’s appeal to global investors seeking long-term exposure. Sustained institutional buying and the projected breach of $100,000 in the moving average could further cement BTC’s status as a leading digital asset in diversified portfolios worldwide.