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Bitcoin's Tug-of-War: Retail Buys as Whales Sell – A Warning Sign?

Saturday Nov 8 2025 00:00

2 min

Table of Contents

1. Decoding Bitcoin's Market Dynamics: A Battle Between Retail and Whales
1.1 Divergent Views on Bitcoin's Future
1.2 Whale Activity and Retail Accumulation
1.3 Past Market Impact
1.4 Warning of Divergence
1.5 Alternative Market Forecasts
1.6 ETF Flows and Potential Return to $130,000
1.7 Nansen Analysis: Near-Term Caution

Decoding Bitcoin's Market Dynamics: A Battle Between Retail and Whales

The Bitcoin market is currently exhibiting a complex dynamic, with retail investors accumulating Bitcoin while large investors, or "whales," are selling off their holdings. According to sentiment platform Santiment, this pattern could signal potential headwinds for the asset's price.

Divergent Views on Bitcoin's Future

Despite this potentially concerning trend, analysts remain divided on the path Bitcoin (BTC) will take in the coming weeks. Santiment points out that historically, prices tend to follow the direction of the whales, not retail.

Whale Activity and Retail Accumulation

Santiment noted that since October 12th, Bitcoin whales – wallets holding between 10 and 10,000 BTC – have sold approximately 32,500 Bitcoin. Conversely, smaller retail wallets have been aggressively buying the dips. Santiment describes this split as a "cautionary signal."

Past Market Impact

During the period in question, Bitcoin fell from $115,000 to $98,000 on November 4th, representing a decline of around 15%, according to CoinMarketCap. However, BTC's price has since recovered to $103,780 at the time of publication.

Warning of Divergence

Santiment describes the current situation as a "major divergence has appeared between large and small investors." They add: "A divergence where whales are selling while retail is buying can be a cautionary signal."

Alternative Market Forecasts

Bitfinex analysts offer a differing perspective, expecting near-term consolidation and some volatility, rather than a clear sprint to new highs. They believe that ETF inflows earlier in October pushed the price to around $125,000, before mid-month macro shocks, a major options expiry, and profit-taking knocked it back into the high $100,000s.

ETF Flows and Potential Return to $130,000

After a six-day outflow streak that saw $2.04 billion in outflows, spot Bitcoin ETFs broke the trend on Friday, according to Farside. Analysts suggest that Bitcoin has a chance of climbing to $130,000 if conditions improve, specifically if spot Bitcoin ETF inflows return to delivering above $1 billion inflows per week and macro conditions improve.

Nansen Analysis: Near-Term Caution

Conversely, Nansen senior research analyst Jake Kennis suggests that although Bitcoin has historically posted year-over-year gains, "the recent liquidation and breakdown in market structure make it far less probable in the near term." However, Kennis adds that there is still room for meaningful upside into year-end, with the potential for new all-time highs if momentum shifts decisively.

Risk Warning: this article represents only the author’s views and is for reference only. It does not constitute investment advice or financial guidance, nor does it represent the stance of the Markets.com platform.When considering shares, indices, forex (foreign exchange) and commodities for trading and price predictions, remember that trading CFDs involves a significant degree of risk and could result in capital loss.Past performance is not indicative of any future results. This information is provided for informative purposes only and should not be construed to be investment advice. Trading cryptocurrency CFDs and spread bets is restricted for all UK retail clients. 

Written by:

Ava Grace

Bitcoin's Tug-of-War: Retail Buys as Whales Sell – A Warning Sign?

Decoding Bitcoin's Market Dynamics: A Battle Between Retail and Whales

Divergent Views on Bitcoin's Future

Whale Activity and Retail Accumulation

Past Market Impact

Warning of Divergence

Alternative Market Forecasts

ETF Flows and Potential Return to $130,000

Nansen Analysis: Near-Term Caution

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