Bitcoin Whale Addresses Add 61,568 BTC as $68K Holds
On-chain data from Santiment shows Bitcoin whale addresses (holding 10–10,000 BTC) accumulated 61,568 BTC over the past 30 days while price tested the $68,100 support zone. Earlier reporting also pointed to “smart money” buying during Jan. 10–19 as retail wallets sold, highlighting a divergence between whale conviction and smaller-holder behavior.
Santiment estimates the whale volume is about $4.2B at current prices and measures flows by tracking UTXO set changes across wallet balance bands. It also notes smaller “shrimp” addresses (often under 0.01 BTC) are accumulating alongside whales—an uncommon whale+retail alignment that may signal broader spot demand rather than a single-group trade.
For traders, this can reduce immediate sell-side supply as coins move from exchanges into private wallets, supporting bullish momentum if spot demand stays firm. However, both summaries stress on-chain signals can be overridden by macro shocks and headline-driven volatility. Expect choppy trading near key technical levels, with a bullish skew if BTC holds support and accumulation persists.
Bullish
Santiment’s whale-flow data points to reduced near-term sell pressure: BTC supply appears to be moving off exchange venues and into higher-balance wallets while price holds the $68K area. The earlier “smart money vs. retail” divergence reinforces the idea that conviction is coming from larger cohorts even as smaller holders sell. Adding that retail-like “shrimp” wallets are also accumulating makes this setup more credible than a whale-only bid.
Short-term, traders may still see choppy action because on-chain flows are not immune to macro and headline shocks; the summaries note caution indicators and volatility can dominate. Long-term, however, sustained whale+retail accumulation beneath support can form a demand floor and improve odds of an upside breakout, especially if spot demand remains steady and BTC continues to defend the tested support.