Bitcoin whale selling pushed over 100,000 BTC onto markets, sending whale reserves to seven‑year lows, yet institutions and several governments kept accumulating, keeping Bitcoin resilient inside a $104K–$116K trading band and supporting a cautious multi‑month bullish outlook.
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Whales dumped 100K+ BTC, lowering reserves to near 3.15M BTC (seven‑year low)
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Institutions and some nations continued accumulation, offsetting distribution and preserving liquidity.
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Bitcoin trades between $104,000 and $116,000; market cap ~$3.81T and 24h volume ~ $137.23B signal active participation.
Meta description: Bitcoin whale selling moved 100,000+ BTC to seven-year lows while institutions and nations quietly accumulate; COINOTAG explains the market outlook. Read now.
What is driving the recent Bitcoin whale selling?
Bitcoin whale selling refers to large holders moving or selling significant BTC quantities, and recent activity saw more than 100,000 BTC distributed, pushing whale reserves down toward 3.15 million. This liquidation pressured prices short term, while institutional accumulation helped stabilize markets.
How are institutions and nations responding to whale distribution?
Institutions have continued to accumulate Bitcoin through OTC desks and ETFs (where available), and several governments increased reserves quietly. According to on‑chain analysis and market trackers, institutional buying offset portions of whale selling between October 2024 and April 2025, sustaining demand despite weaker ETF inflows.
Bitcoin faces heavy whale selling yet institutions and countries keep accumulating, showing resilience as prices range between 104K and 116K.
- Bitcoin whales dumped over 100K BTC pushing reserves to 7 year lows while institutions and nations kept quietly buying the dip.
- Despite whale selling and cooling ETF inflows Bitcoin still trades between 104K and 116K with demand showing strong resilience.
- History shows institutional adoption can outweigh whale exits suggesting Bitcoin’s long term cycle still holds bullish potential.
Bitcoin is facing heavy selling pressure after whales moved over 100,000 BTC in the past month, the largest distribution since 2022. Whale reserves dropped to near 3.15 million BTC, levels last seen in 2018.
Consequently, the world’s largest cryptocurrency is trading at $110,730, down 1.45% in 24 hours. Institutional buyers and some nation‑level treasuries continued to accumulate, creating a notable divergence between large holder selling and institutional demand.
The global crypto market cap stands at $3.81 trillion, reflecting a 1.34% daily decline. Trading volumes climbed to $137.23 billion (up 4.38% daily), indicating sustained market participation despite price pressure.
CoinMarketCap data showed Bitcoin’s 24‑hour trading volume at $48.44 billion, keeping liquidity robust for large orders and reducing single‑party market impact.
Why did whale reserves fall and what does that mean?
Whale balances fell after a period of profit‑taking following the rally to near $120,000 in May 2025. On‑chain analyst Crypto Jargon noted balances declined from roughly 3.4M BTC earlier in the year to ~3.15M BTC following August–September distribution phases.

Source: Crypto Jargon
Historically, whale selling near cycle highs can precede consolidation rather than a terminal cycle end when institutional demand is strong. After the May peak toward $120,000, profit‑taking by whales reduced accumulation rates and led to the recent decline.
How likely is a price continuation versus a reversal?
Bitcoin currently trades in a clear range of $104K–$116K. A decisive break below $104K could expose a move toward $93K support, while a breakout above $116K would likely accelerate the uptrend. Market structure remains balanced by institutional accumulation and liquid trading volumes.
What metrics should traders watch now?
Watch whale reserve trends, institutional flow reports, futures funding rates, and on‑chain liquidity metrics. Declining ETF inflows and lower funding rates signal caution, while rising spot accumulation by institutions indicates structural support.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much did whale reserves fall in the latest sell‑off?
Whale reserves dropped from about 3.4 million BTC earlier in 2025 to roughly 3.15 million BTC after recent distributions, marking a seven‑year low in large‑holder balances.
Will institutional accumulation prevent further declines?
Institutional buying can mitigate declines by providing steady demand, but short‑term price moves still depend on liquidity, futures funding, and whether buying exceeds selling pressure from large holders.
Key Takeaways
- Major distribution: Whales moved 100K+ BTC, cutting reserves to near 3.15M BTC (seven‑year low).
- Institutional support: Institutions and some nations continued accumulating, cushioning market impact.
- Range and risk: Bitcoin trades $104K–$116K; a break of either level would set the next trend direction.
Conclusion
Bitcoin whale selling has exerted short‑term downward pressure, but continued institutional and nation‑level accumulation has preserved liquidity and supported the $104K–$116K trading band. Monitoring whale reserves, institutional flows, and on‑chain volumes will be key as the market seeks a directional breakout. COINOTAG will track developments and update this analysis.
Published: 2025-09-06 | Updated: 2025-09-06 | Author: COINOTAG