Bitcoin is seeing a big drop in whales, with the number of transactions from major holders dropping quickly over the past few weeks. The data shows that the number of transactions in whales has dropped from over 2,400 per day in October to just 300 by mid-November, representing a decline of 87%. This is a dramatic change in how major Bitcoin holders feel about the market right now.
Understanding the Dramatic Decline
One of the major changes in Bitcoin’s on-chain statistics this year is the rise in the number of whale transactions. These large holders, usually those with 1000 BTC or more, have had a significant impact on the market. Their decreased activity is now causing people to ask questions about the market and the overall perception of institutions.
Glassnode reported that whales with more than 10,000 bitcoins in their possession have been subjected to three months of selling which have resulted in downwards price pressure despite the upwards pressure by retail investors. The disparity between whale behavior and retail sentiment has created an unusual market structure. Retail traders now have 72% of their exposure to Binance and institutional players appear to be earning a profit.
Strategic Repositioning or Market Exit
The decrease in whale transaction volume does not necessarily mean a complete exit of the market. On November 20, 2025, Owen Gunden, a big OG whale with the name Owen Gunden, sent 2400 BTC to Kraken, which is worth $237 million. This activity is based on the larger trends of $43 billion sold off by long-term holders since July.
However, all whale activity is not bearish sentiment. In early November, whales gained more than 45,000 BTC, which is the second-largest weekly accumulation for 2025, according to CryptoQuant analyst Caueconomy. This indicates that some whales are spreading and others are using the price pressure to stockpile at favorable prices.
The declining transaction volume could also mean that the whales are simply putting their holdings into cold storage instead of selling, a potentially bullish signal which suggests long-term conviction.
Market Implications and Future Outlook
The less whales are around, the worse things are looking for Bitcoin, which has been unable to gain momentum above the psychological level. Bitcoin fell below both its $101K psychological support and 20-day simple moving average at $109.7K, resulting in the transition from consolidation to correction.
The weakening of the influence of individual whales may lead to a more stable market over time. This transition implies a more distributed market where changes in prices are based on many individuals such as retail investors and institutional funds rather than the whims of a smaller group.
Recently, Bitcoin ETFs have become more significant in this new situation. Exchange traded products have provided a constant source of institutional demand that can absorb some of the selling pressure from whales. This institutional infrastructure, along with the introduction of corporate treasury by companies such as MicroStrategy, leads to the creation of a more resilient demand base, which was not available in past market cycles.
Conclusion
The 87% decrease in the volume of Bitcoin whale transactions between October and November is a significant increase in the volume of cryptocurrency. Some are experiencing a decline in the hands of certain skilled investors making a profit; while others are experiencing market maturation, and a much more widely owned market.
Nevertheless, the market structure of Bitcoin is taking a different approach from the large holders. Some people may become dissatisfied with the ecosystem due to internal shenanigans, but ETF demand, corporate adoption, and retail participation is indicative of a more resilient ecosystem. Instead, rather than on whale movements as forecast indications, market participants should focus on underlying issues that promote long-term adoption.
