January 21 News, against the backdrop of intense volatility in global risk assets in 2026, a highly noteworthy signal is emerging in the Bitcoin market: large capital continues to accumulate, while retail investors are panic-selling. On-chain data from Santiment shows that in the past nine days, wallets holding between 10 and 10,000 BTC have collectively accumulated an additional 36,322 BTC, worth approximately $3.2 billion at current prices, representing a 0.27% increase in holdings. This “whale and shark” level of capital flow is regarded by the market as a potential prerequisite for a price breakout.
In stark contrast, retail behavior shows a different trend. During the same period, small coin-holding addresses sold about 132 BTC in total, with overall holdings decreasing by 0.28%. This divergence typically indicates that emotional capital is exiting during the decline, while more experienced investors are quietly building positions. Such structural divergence in on-chain investment strategies often appears near phase-bottom regions.
From a price perspective, Bitcoin initially surged over 7% at the start of 2026, but later retreated due to Trump’s announcement of tariffs on multiple European countries, which reignited pressure on global risk assets. BTC subsequently fell below the $88,000 level, then rebounded to hover around $89,000, with short-term volatility significantly amplified.
For investors paying attention to Bitcoin trends and Gate trading activity, this shift in capital structure has high reference value. Historically, when savvy funds continue to buy while retail investors sell off, it often signals room for subsequent price recovery. Despite ongoing macro uncertainties, on-chain capital behavior indicates that the medium- to long-term bullish logic for Bitcoin remains intact.
Currently, Bitcoin price forecasts, whale movements, and on-chain capital flows have become some of the most critical indicators to watch in the 2026 crypto market. As long as this capital divergence persists, the market could trigger a new directional rally at any time.
Disclaimer: The information on this page may come from third parties and does not represent the views or opinions of Gate. The content displayed on this page is for reference only and does not constitute any financial, investment, or legal advice. Gate does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information and shall not be liable for any losses arising from the use of this information. Virtual asset investments carry high risks and are subject to significant price volatility. You may lose all of your invested principal. Please fully understand the relevant risks and make prudent decisions based on your own financial situation and risk tolerance. For details, please refer to
Disclaimer.
Related Articles
Bitcoin Depot Reports $3.7M BTC Theft in Cybersecurity Breach
Bitcoin Depot, a leading operator of crypto ATMs in the United States, disclosed a security breach that led to the theft of about 50.9 Bitcoin, valued at roughly $3.7 million at the time of reporting, after an attacker gained access to credentials tied to the company’s corporate Bitcoin
CryptoBreaking23m ago
NewsAlert: Trump Issues Iran Ultimatum – How BTC, ETH, And XRP is Reacting
Trump raised the temperature again with a fresh Iran deadline and warnings of overwhelming force. The rhetoric was extreme, and markets treated it as immediate macro risk.
To be precise, widely cited reports quote Trump saying Iran could be destroyed “in one night” if no deal is reached, not
LiveBTCNews37m ago
Yesterday, U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs saw net inflows of $240.4 million, with net inflows for two consecutive days.
Gate News message, April 11, according to Farside monitoring, yesterday (April 10) U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs saw net inflows of $240.4 million, achieving net inflows for two consecutive trading days.
GateNews1h ago
Bitcoin Holds Gains Above $72K As Options Data Reveals Cautious Sentiment
Bitcoin (BTC) is trading near the upper end of its recent range after the latest ceasefire headlines lifted risk appetite across global markets, but the mood beneath the surface is still cautious rather than euphoric. At the time of writing, BTC was around $72,266, after trading between $70,568
BlockChainReporter1h ago
Bitdeer for the week ending April 10 mined 165 BTC and sold all of it, maintaining a zero position
Gate News message, April 11, the Nasdaq-listed Bitcoin mining company Bitdeer released the latest Bitcoin holdings data. As of the week ending April 10, Bitdeer’s Bitcoin mining output was 165 BTC, and it sold 165 BTC in the same period, resulting in a net increase of 0 BTC; it still maintains a zero Bitcoin position.
GateNews1h ago
The Kingdom of Bhutan may have already stopped Bitcoin mining, and hydropower has shifted to selling electricity to India.
After the Kingdom of Bhutan sold 70% of its Bitcoin holdings, it may have stopped or slowed Bitcoin mining, and due to economic pressure it has used more hydropower for exports to India. By contrast, El Salvador has been increasing its Bitcoin holdings.
GateNews1h ago
