Bitcoin Whale Holdings Drop to Lowest Since 2018
Average Bitcoin held per whale drops to ~488 BTC, hitting a 5-year low, signaling shifting dynamics in crypto markets.

- Average BTC held by whales has fallen to around 488 BTC.
- This is the lowest level since December 2018, per Glassnode data.
- Indicates distribution of BTC across more wallets or selling pressure.
According to on-chain analytics platform Glassnode, the average Bitcoin (BTC) held per whale wallet has dropped to around 488 BTC, marking the lowest level seen since December 2018. This trend reflects notable changes in the behavior of large Bitcoin holders and potentially signals a broader distribution of BTC across the network.
Whales are typically defined as wallets holding over 1,000 BTC. Their activity can significantly influence the market, making this shift a point of interest for traders and analysts.
What’s Causing the Decline in Whale Holdings?
There are several possible reasons for this decrease in average BTC per whale:
- Increased Distribution: More investors are entering the market and accumulating BTC, resulting in the redistribution of coins from larger to smaller wallets.
- Profit-Taking or Selling Pressure: Some whales may be offloading parts of their holdings amid market rallies or economic uncertainty, leading to lower average holdings.
- Emergence of Institutional Custodians: Institutions might be using multiple wallets or custodial services, which can fragment BTC holdings across several addresses rather than concentrating them in a few.
This drop does not necessarily mean whales are exiting the market. It may instead reflect a more decentralized and mature market structure, as Bitcoin becomes a widely held asset across institutions and retail investors alike.
Could This Impact Bitcoin’s Price?
Lower average holdings per whale can be a double-edged sword:
- On one hand, it may reduce market manipulation risk by large players.
- On the other, it might indicate that whales are preparing for volatility or diversifying their holdings.
Market watchers will be keeping a close eye on how this trend evolves, especially as BTC continues to consolidate around key price levels.
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