Retail Bitcoin Sellers Step Back as Large Investors Continue to Stack BTC Amid Record Highs

Bitcoin’s recent surge towards the $100,000 level has triggered a wave of profit-taking among retail investors, commonly referred to as “shrimps.” According to Glassnode, these smaller holders have liquidated around 75,000 BTC, valued at approximately $7 billion, marking the largest selling event since Bitcoin’s previous all-time high in March. While retail investors have historically been seen as less strategic or “dumb money,” this selling may not be the clear signal it appears.

Large Holders Continue to Buy

Contrary to the retail sell-off, large holders—often called “sharks” (those holding between 100 and 1,000 BTC)—have been accumulating substantial amounts of Bitcoin. In fact, this group has purchased over 140,000 BTC, suggesting that larger investors remain confident in Bitcoin’s upward momentum despite the profit-taking in the retail sector.

Exchange vs. Over-the-Counter (OTC) Trends

Interestingly, data from CryptoQuant indicates that over-the-counter (OTC) desk balances have surged by 20,000 BTC since Bitcoin’s breakout above $90,000, which may signal institutional selling and buying activity. On the other hand, retail-focused exchange balances have dropped to their lowest levels in two years, falling below 3 million BTC, a sign of continued demand for long-term holding.

Conclusion

While retail investors may be cashing out, likely responding to Bitcoin’s recent gains, the overall trend indicates a tug-of-war between profit-taking and significant accumulation by larger investors. With exchange balances falling and large holders accumulating, the market shows signs of continued strong interest in Bitcoin, even as short-term fluctuations may remain likely. The coming weeks will be pivotal in determining whether the current trend persists or whether Bitcoin faces a short-term correction before moving higher.