The third major profit-taking wave in Bitcoin’s 2025 bull run is driven by new whales realizing $6-$8 billion in gains as BTC crossed $120,000, marking a pivotal market event.
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New whales triggered significant Bitcoin profit-taking after BTC surpassed $120,000.
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Realized profits reached $6-$8 billion, aligning with previous local tops in March and December 2024.
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Long-dormant whales also sold $9.7 billion worth of BTC, demonstrating strong market absorption despite brief price dips.
Bitcoin whales drive third profit-taking wave in 2025 bull run with $6-$8B realized gains as BTC tops $120K. Stay informed with COINOTAG crypto news.
New Whales Lead Bitcoin’s Third Profit-Taking Wave in 2025
Bitcoin’s recent surge beyond $120,000 triggered a substantial profit-taking phase led by new whales, entities holding at least 1,000 BTC who accumulated their holdings recently. According to CryptoQuant, this third wave marks a critical distribution event in the ongoing bull run, with realized profits spiking between $6 billion and $8 billion in late July. These figures mirror previous peaks observed in March and December 2024, underscoring the cyclical nature of Bitcoin’s market dynamics.
What Defines New Whales and Their Market Impact?
New whales differ from early Bitcoin holders by their recent accumulation of large BTC amounts, often representing institutional investors or corporations. Their profit-taking behavior significantly influences market liquidity and price movements. CryptoQuant highlights that this wave follows earlier profit-taking phases tied to US spot Bitcoin ETF launches and political events, which were each succeeded by cooling periods in the crypto market.

New whales are behind the third profit-taking phase in Bitcoin’s current market cycle. Source: CryptoQuant
Old Whales Resurface with Significant Bitcoin Sales
Alongside new whales, a long-dormant whale entity that amassed approximately 80,000 BTC during Bitcoin’s early era recently realized profits totaling $9.7 billion. This large-scale liquidation was executed in multiple tranches through Galaxy Digital and major exchanges. Despite an initial 4% dip in Bitcoin’s price, the market quickly rebounded, indicating robust demand and strong absorption capacity for large BTC sales.

Source: Vijay Boyapati
How Has Bitcoin’s 2025 Performance Compared to Traditional Assets?
Bitcoin’s 2025 performance has outpaced traditional markets, including the S&P 500. While the S&P 500 hit record highs recently, it remains down 15% year-to-date when measured against Bitcoin. Since 2012, Bitcoin has outperformed this benchmark index by nearly 100%, according to Bitbo data. This highlights Bitcoin’s growing dominance as a store of value and investment asset amid fluctuating economic conditions.
What Are the Implications of These Profit-Taking Waves for Investors?
Profit-taking waves from both new and old whales signal important market cycles that investors should monitor closely. These events often precede cooling phases or corrections but also reflect healthy market liquidity and institutional involvement. Understanding whale activity helps anticipate potential price volatility and informs strategic investment decisions in the crypto space.
How Can Investors Track Whale Activity Effectively?
Investors can utilize onchain analytics platforms like CryptoQuant to monitor whale transactions and realized profits. Tracking these metrics provides insights into market sentiment and potential turning points. Staying informed on whale behavior supports better timing for entry and exit points in Bitcoin trading.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the third major profit-taking wave in Bitcoin’s 2025 bull run?
The third major profit-taking wave refers to recent large-scale Bitcoin sales by new whales who realized $6-$8 billion in profits as BTC surpassed $120,000, marking a key market distribution event.
How do new whales differ from old whales in Bitcoin trading?
New whales are recent large BTC holders, often institutions, while old whales accumulated BTC early. Both influence market trends through their buying and selling activities.
Key Takeaways
- New whales have initiated the third major Bitcoin profit-taking wave in 2025.
- Realized profits during this wave reached between $6 billion and $8 billion.
- Old whales also sold significant BTC holdings, with $9.7 billion in profits realized recently.
- Bitcoin’s 2025 performance continues to outperform traditional assets like the S&P 500.
- Monitoring whale activity is crucial for anticipating market trends and volatility.
Conclusion
The third profit-taking wave led by new Bitcoin whales highlights the evolving dynamics of the 2025 bull run. Alongside significant sales from long-dormant whales, these events underscore the importance of institutional involvement and market cycles. Investors should closely watch whale activity and realized profits to navigate Bitcoin’s price movements effectively. COINOTAG remains committed to delivering timely, expert crypto market insights to empower informed decision-making.