Bitcoin Whales’ $12.7B Sell-Off Could Pressure Prices as Institutional Buying May Offset

• 114,920 BTC (~$12.7B) sold by whales in 30 days — largest distribution since July 2022.

• Weekly whale flows peaked at ~95,000 BTC (Sept. 3) then eased to ~38,000 BTC (Sept. 6).

• Institutional accumulation and ETF-driven demand act as a structural counterbalance to whale-driven pressure.

Bitcoin whale sell-off: $12.7B sold in 30 days, pressuring BTC—COINOTAG analysis with on-chain data and expert insight. Monitor whale flows now.

What happened in the recent Bitcoin whale sell-off?

Bitcoin whale sell-off refers to a concentrated distribution event where large holders reduced reserves by about 114,920 BTC over the past 30 days, equal to roughly $12.7 billion at current prices. This rapid outflow created short-term selling pressure and heightened volatility while shorter-term price structure was weakened.

How large were the weekly and monthly whale flows?

On Sept. 3 the seven‑day whale flow reached its highest level since March 2021, with more than 95,000 BTC moved in a single week. Over 30 days the net reduction totaled ~114,920 BTC. By Sept. 6 the weekly change had slowed to ~38,000 BTC, indicating a moderation of aggressive selling.

Bitcoin whales sold around $12.7 billion of Bitcoin last month, pressuring prices and “signaling intense risk aversion among large investors.”

Large Bitcoin holders have liquidated roughly 114,920 BTC over the past 30 days, representing close to $12.7 billion at prevailing market prices. On‑chain analytics firms report this is the biggest 30‑day whale distribution since July 2022 and is exerting near‑term downward pressure on price structure.

CryptoQuant data observers flagged this accelerated reduction in whale reserves as a clear signal of elevated risk aversion among major network participants. The concentrated selling activity has translated into short‑term volatility and has weighed on momentum below key levels.

This selling pressure contributed to intraday weakness and pushed prices under recent highs, compressing ranges and prompting traders to monitor liquidity and liquidation zones closely.

Bitcoin whales have been offloading. Source: CryptoQuant (plain text reference)

Why did weekly whale balance change slow down?

After a weekly peak where whales moved over 95,000 BTC in the seven days to Sept. 3, the pace of distribution eased. By Sept. 6, weekly net flows had fallen to roughly 38,000 BTC, suggesting that the most aggressive phase of selling may have passed.

Market participants noted that shorter‑term selling abated and price action entered a tight range around $110,000–$111,000 as the immediate supply shock tempered.

Who else is affecting price alongside whales?

Institutional buyers and corporate accumulation continued during the same period, providing a structural counterbalance to whale distributions. Analysts at LVRG Research and independent observers highlighted that ETF inflows and corporate purchases may cap the downside from concentrated selling.

David Bailey and other market commentators have suggested the market impact depends on whether key whales continue liquidating. If institutional dip‑buying outpaces whale pressure, price could stabilize or resume upward momentum.

How is the longer-term outlook for Bitcoin?

Zoomed out, Bitcoin’s correction has been relatively shallow. From the mid‑August all‑time high the drawdown was about 13%, milder than many prior cycles. The one‑year simple moving average has risen substantially year‑over‑year, reflecting strong longer‑term demand and higher average price levels.

BTC 1-year SMA steadily increases. Source: Dave the wave (plain text reference)

Frequently Asked Questions

How much did whales reduce their reserves in the last 30 days?

Whale reserves declined by approximately 114,920 BTC in 30 days, valued around $12.7 billion at the time of reporting. This was noted as the largest 30‑day reduction since July 2022.

Does institutional buying offset whale selling?

Institutional accumulation and ETF demand have partially offset whale selling, providing resilience. The net market impact depends on the balance between continued whale distribution and sustained institutional dip‑buying.

What should traders watch next?

Traders should monitor weekly whale flows, ETF/corporate inflows, price range breaks, and macro catalysts such as central bank announcements to assess whether selling pressure persists or abates.

Key Takeaways

• Largest 30‑day whale sell-off: ~114,920 BTC (~$12.7B), biggest since July 2022.
• Short‑term pressure: Weekly peak flows triggered volatility; weekly change slowed to ~38,000 BTC by Sept. 6.
• Structural resilience: Institutional accumulation and ETF demand could limit deeper corrections—monitor on‑chain and macro indicators.

Conclusion

Significant whale liquidation—about $12.7 billion of BTC—has increased short‑term downside risk, but institutional buying and ETF flows provide a structural counterweight. Market participants should prioritize on‑chain whale metrics, institutional flow data and macro events when assessing near‑term Bitcoin direction. COINOTAG will continue tracking these signals and updating coverage.