Bitcoin Whales Stack BTC While Retail Buyers Return to the Market

• Whales added over 83,000 BTC while retail sold 387 BTC.
• Bitcoin broke above the trendline and is nearing $106K Bollinger Band test.

Bitcoin’s market dynamics are undergoing a clear shift. Large holders are accumulating aggressively while small investors are making a comeback. Price has remained stable, reflecting resilience despite recent retail sell-offs. 

According to Santiment data, Bitcoin whales and sharks wallets holding 10 to 10,000 BTC have added 83,100 BTC over the past month. This accumulation trend occurred as smaller holders, referred to as “shrimp” with 0.1 BTC or less, offloaded 387 BTC during the same period. 

Source: Santiment

The chart data indicates a clear divergence, where institutional accumulation intensified while retail investors exited positions. Santiment noted that this divergence represents a supply transfer from weaker to stronger hands. 

Retail Activity Rebounds After Stagnation

CryptoQuant data reveals that retail demand increased measurably between April 28 and May 13. Purchases in the $0 to $10,000 bracket rose by 3.40%, reflecting renewed interest among small-scale investors. During this period, the 30-day moving average of transfer volume climbed from $407.1 million to $410.5 million.

The data also highlights green spikes on the chart, signaling moments where demand exceeded historical norms. Bitcoin’s price moved from $94,399 to $102,713 during the same window. 

CryptoQuant analysts stated that the demand rate turned positive on April 28 and maintained momentum into mid-May. Historically, such patterns have aligned with broader bullish market conditions, indicating a potential trend reversal among retail investors.

Technical Breakout Confirms Bullish Structure

Bitcoin recently broke above a long-standing descending trendline that had held since February. The breakout occurred near a key pivot zone, followed by strong upward momentum. Price surged past the $90,000 psychological barrier and reached a high of $104,131. 

BTC/USD 1-Day Price Chart Source: TradingView

The upper Bollinger Band, now around $106,400, is being tested amid increasing volatility. The 20-day simple moving average has increased, providing price support and reinforcing the bullish structure. 

Analysts confirmed that the $84,000 zone, previously resistance, has flipped to support, solidifying the foundation for the current uptrend.

Adding on, Bitwise CIO Matt Hougan compared Bitcoin’s dominance to Google in 2004, describing it as “digital gold” with global currency potential. 

However, Hougan advised investors to diversify, pointing to Ethereum’s recent 40% weekly gain as an example of growing interest in other digital assets. His recent Bitwise memo emphasized a broader investment strategy beyond Bitcoin.

Bitcoin’s current position reflects both macro and technical strength. While large wallets continue to accumulate, retail interest is also reviving. Combined with institutional backing and strong chart structure, these factors suggest a maturing bullish trend in the ongoing crypto cycle.

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.