- Bitcoin whales (1K-10K BTC) sold over 100K BTC in 30 days, the largest dump since 2022, signaling high risk aversion.
- Mid-tier holdings hit 2018 lows at ~488 BTC average, amid power shift from mega-whales to new accumulators.
- Whale rotations to ETH surge, with OGs dumping billions in BTC for ETH longs, hinting at ecosystem conviction pivot.
In a stark signal of mounting caution in the crypto markets, CryptoQuant data reveals that Bitcoin large holders—wallets with 1K to 10K BTC—have offloaded more than 100,000 BTC in the past 30 days, marking the most significant selloff since 2022.
This exodus, highlighted in a September 5, 2025, post by @cryptoquant_com, underscores intense risk aversion among whales as BTC hovers around $111,000, down from recent highs.
The chart accompanying the analysis shows a sharp decline in total balances, with 30-day changes dipping into deep negative territory, echoing patterns from past bear phases.This whale activity isn’t isolated. Over the last seven days alone, these mid-tier giants sold off 78,169 BTC, contributing to holdings shrinking to levels unseen since 2018.
CryptoQuant analyst @caueconomy notes, “Whale reserves have fallen by more than 100,000 BTC, signaling intense risk aversion among large investors.” This comes amid broader market jitters, with September historically Bitcoin’s weakest month, though 2025 could buck the trend if accumulation resumes.
On-chain metrics from Glassnode corroborate, showing average whale balances (100-10K BTC) at around 488 BTC, the lowest since December 2018. Yet, the narrative is nuanced. While some whales dump, others rotate: A Bitcoin OG sold 35,991 BTC ($4.04B) since August 20 to buy 886,371 ETH ($4.07B) on Hyperliquid, still holding 49,634 BTC ($5.43B). Another early holder offloaded 3,968 BTC ($437M) for 96,531 ETH ($443M), amassing 641,508 ETH ($2.94B) in a week.
This ETH pivot suggests conviction shifting amid Ethereum’s upgrades, even as BTC faces pressure from liquidations and a new CME gap at $110,000. Power dynamics are shifting too. Since early 2025, mega-whales (+10K BTC) have barely budged, holding ~1.1M BTC, while mid-sized (1K-10K) drive volatility. New whales have surpassed 1M BTC, challenging old guards, per CryptoQuant.
Institutional players like BlackRock’s ETF now top holders with 781,000 BTC, flipping Coinbase. Ownership trends show businesses accumulating while individuals sell, with 65.9% individual, 7.8% funds. On X, sentiment mixes alarm with opportunity: “The market is purging its weakest hands,” says Cointelegraph, as experienced holders absorb supply. This “constructive clearing” could strengthen fundamentals, but with inflows at decade lows (18K BTC daily), volatility looms.
As September unfolds, watch for rebounds—whales’ moves often prelude major shifts. BTC bulls eye $111K resistance, but risk aversion could deepen the red.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. CoinCryptoNewz is not responsible for any losses incurred. Readers should do their own research before making financial decisions.
