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Bitcoin’s recent performance has led it to experience its worst Q1 since 2019, but bullish signals are emerging amid a potential market recovery.
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Despite the downturn, seasoned investors are re-entering the market, as indicated by a low Value Days Destroyed (VDD) metric, signaling hope for recovery.
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Notably, the sell-side risk ratio has fallen below 0.1%, historically a positive precursor for Bitcoin’s pricing trends.
As Bitcoin faces its worst Q1 since 2019 with a 25% drop, signs of accumulation from veteran investors might hint at a potential market rebound.
Signs That Veteran Investors Are Accumulating Again
According to market analyst AxelAdlerJr, the shift observed in March 2025 suggests that veteran investors are transitioning from a selling phase to one of accumulation. This behavior can be traced through the Value Days Destroyed (VDD) metric, which has remained at low levels.
The VDD metric is an on-chain indicator that tracks how long Bitcoin has been held without movement before being transacted. A high VDD indicates that older Bitcoin is being moved, often due to selling pressure from large holders, whereas a low VDD usually indicates that transactions are predominantly made by shorter-term investors.
BTC: Value Days Destroyed. Source: CryptoQuant
Historically, extended periods of low VDD tend to precede significant price appreciation, suggesting that current accumulation patterns point to a potentially bullish trend for Bitcoin. AxelAdlerJr emphasized this point, stating, “The transition of experienced players into a holding phase signals the potential for further BTC growth in the medium term.”
Bitcoin’s Sell-Side Risk Ratio Hits Low
In tandem with these trends, analyst Ali has reported a notable decline in Bitcoin’s sell-side risk ratio, which has now dropped to just 0.086%. This metric also serves as a bullish indicator for Bitcoin’s market outlook.
Bitcoin Sell-side Risk Ratio. Source: Glassnode
Ali notes that historical patterns reveal a strong correlation between low sell-side risk ratios and subsequent price rallies for Bitcoin. For instance, back in January 2024, a drop below the 0.1% threshold preceded a rally to a then-record high of $73,800. Similarly, in September 2024, Bitcoin reached new highs shortly after the ratio fell to low levels.
The current environment, featuring both a surge in accumulation by veteran investors and a decrease in the sell-side risk ratio, paints a cautiously optimistic picture for Bitcoin’s future performance. Nonetheless, COINOTAG cautions that there are emerging technical patterns, such as a potential death cross, that warrant vigilance.
Moreover, investor sentiment remains somewhat apprehensive in light of potential market fluctuations expected in early April, stemming from geopolitical uncertainties, including President Trump’s impending announcement regarding a significant retaliatory tariff.
Conclusion
In summary, while Bitcoin is poised to conclude Q1 with significant losses, optimistic indicators from veteran investors accumulating BTC and favorable sell-side risk metrics suggest a potential bullish recovery ahead. Nevertheless, market participants must remain vigilant, as external factors may influence short-term price volatility and overall market sentiment.
