Bitcoin price BTC USD crash prediction 2026: Bitcoin whale selling hits record $15 billion in 2025: Why this signals a major BTC USD price crash next year
Bitcoin Whale Sell-Off Reaches Record Levels in 2025, Raises Concerns About BTC USD Price Correction
Ali Charts, a popular on-chain analyst, said in a report that data shows that large Bitcoin holders, often known as whales, have been net sellers over the past year. According to the analyst, whale assets decreased by 161,294 BTC in the last 12 months; According to the Zycrypto report, this movement usually occurs before or during deeper market corrections, rather than after prices have bottomed.
“1-year change in Bitcoin whale stocks -161,294 $BTC,” X wrote in a post, as quoted by Zycrypto, adding: “This tells us that whales were net sellers last year. This behavior usually occurs before or during deeper corrections rather than after bottoms.”
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Bitcoin Price USD Volatility Rising Despite All-Time Highs in 2025
Despite recording a number of new all-time highs this year, Bitcoin’s performance has been uneven, with several sharp crashes linked to heavy selling by major investors. At current levels, the cryptocurrency is hovering around $87,000, but market sentiment has become increasingly fragile as bearish pressure returns.
How Much Bitcoin (BTC USD) Did Whales Sell in 2025?
According to the Zycrypto report, whales are estimated to have sold approximately 161,294 BTC in 2025, worth approximately $15 billion. Much of this selling occurred at key moments in the market, suppressing the bullish narrative. Analysts suggest that it may be difficult for Bitcoin to achieve a sustainable recovery if the trend continues into 2026.
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Why Whale Selling Is a Red Flag for Crypto Markets?
Ali noted that intense selling by whales usually signals either an impending correction or a continuation of the downtrend. By contrast, strong buying activity by large shareholders is often associated with the early stages of bull markets, and this was largely absent last year.
Sharks Accumulate Bitcoin (BTC USD) While Whales Exit Positions
But not all big investors are selling. Mid-sized holders, often referred to as “sharks” and defined as wallets holding 100 to 1,000 BTC, were net buyers throughout the year. According to the Zycrypto report, their savings helped alleviate some of the pressure created by the whale sale, fueling speculation that market influence is slowly shifting away from older whales to a broader base of participants.
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BTC USD Forecast: What Could Whale Behavior Mean for Bitcoin Price in 2026?
Even after the sell-off, whales control over 2 million BTC, giving them significant influence over price movements. There are limits to how much they can sell, though, and the market’s ability to withstand continued distribution into 2025 has highlighted Bitcoin’s resilience.
Looking ahead to 2026, analysts are expected to keep a close eye on whale activity for clues as to where the market will go next. While the slowdown in sales, albeit temporary, may provide short-term relief for bullish investors, continued distribution could continue to put pressure on prices in the coming months.
FAQ
How much Bitcoin did whales sell in 2025?
Approximately 161,294 BTC is worth approximately $15 billion.
How much Bitcoin do whales still control?
More than 2 million BTC.
