Bitcoin Under Pressure, but Whales Are Stepping Back

Bitcoin spent most of December trading under pressure, drifting lower toward the mid-$87,000 zone as momentum faded and market participation thinned.

While price action has looked heavy on the surface, a closer look at exchange flows, ETF data, and technical indicators suggests a more nuanced picture beneath the volatility.

Key Takeaways

• Bitcoin is trading near $87,000 as selling pressure shows signs of cooling rather than accelerating.
• Whale inflows to Binance dropped sharply in December, reducing immediate sell-side risk.
• ETF outflows on December 23 added short-term pressure but were not reinforced by heavy on-chain selling.

Whale Activity on Binance Slows Sharply

One of the clearest developments this month has been the sharp slowdown in large Bitcoin deposits to Binance. Data tracking whale activity shows that BTC inflows from large holders declined significantly over December, falling from levels near $7.9 billion earlier in the month to roughly $3.9 billion toward year-end. That drop effectively cuts whale-driven inflows in half within a matter of weeks.

This shift is important because Binance remains the primary destination for exchange-related Bitcoin flows. When large holders send coins to exchanges, it often signals preparation for selling or hedging. The recent contraction suggests fewer whales are positioning for immediate distribution, easing one of the main sources of downside pressure during corrections.

Sudden Inflows Still Capable of Moving the Market

Despite the broader slowdown, whale behavior has not gone completely quiet. Isolated bursts of activity were still recorded, including a notable inflow spike approaching half a billion dollars from wallets holding between 100 BTC and 10,000 BTC. Additional large movements were seen specifically among the 1,000 to 10,000 BTC cohort.

These episodes underline that large holders retain the ability to inject volatility with little warning. Even within a cooling trend, single transactions involving thousands of BTC can trigger sharp price reactions, reinforcing why whale flows remain a critical metric for short-term market risk.

Technical Indicators Point to Cooling Momentum

Bitcoin’s daily chart reflects this easing dynamic. Since early November, price action has formed a sequence of lower highs, but downside momentum has weakened. The daily RSI is hovering in the low-40s, a level that signals bearish conditions without tipping into deeply oversold territory.

Momentum indicators echo that theme. The MACD remains below the zero line, but the histogram has begun to flatten, suggesting selling pressure may be losing intensity. Historically, similar setups have often led to consolidation or gradual recovery phases rather than aggressive breakdowns, provided no major external catalyst emerges.

ETF Outflows Add Short-Term Pressure

Another factor weighing on sentiment was ETF flow data late in the month. On December 23, U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs posted a net outflow day, with redemptions outweighing inflows across multiple products. This reinforced near-term caution after a choppy stretch of mixed ETF demand throughout December.

However, the ETF outflows did not coincide with a renewed surge in whale deposits to exchanges. That divergence suggests institutional selling was not amplified by large on-chain distribution, limiting the broader market impact.

Market Balance Shifts Toward Stabilization

Taken together, December’s data paints a more balanced picture than price alone suggests. Whale inflows to Binance have slowed materially, ETF selling has been uneven rather than persistent, and technical indicators point toward fatigue rather than escalation in selling pressure.

While Bitcoin remains vulnerable to sudden volatility driven by large holders or macro events, the current backdrop hints at stabilization rather than capitulation. Whether that pause resolves into a recovery or another test lower will likely depend on whether whales remain restrained and ETF flows regain consistency as the market moves into the new year.

The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or trading advice. Coindoo.com does not endorse or recommend any specific investment strategy or cryptocurrency. Always conduct your own research and consult with a licensed financial advisor before making any investment decisions.

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