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
Polymarket Data: The probability of Bitcoin rising back to $100,000 within the year is 40%
Gate News reports that on March 15, Polymarket prediction market data showed that the probability of Bitcoin reaching $100,000 within the year is 40%, the probability of reaching $90,000 is 53%, and the probability of reaching $80,000 is 76%. Additionally, the probability of BTC dropping to $50,000 within the year is 61%.
GateNews26m ago
'Rich Dad Poor Dad' Author: Bitcoin Will Go Up After 'Giant Crash' - U.Today
Robert Kiyosaki warns of an imminent economic crash, suggesting it’s a buying opportunity. He highlights Warren Buffett’s cash reserves and believes prices for gold, silver, and Bitcoin will rise post-crash, despite facing backlash over his investment claims.
UToday49m ago
Spot Bitcoin ETFs Push Inflows to Five-Day Streak, First in 2026
US spot Bitcoin ETFs posted their first five-day inflow streak of 2026, tallying roughly $767.32 million for the week and signaling renewed investor appetite for physical-exposure products amid a volatile macro backdrop. Net inflows on Friday reached $180.33 million, extending a trend that began
CryptoBreaking1h ago
DWF Labs: Traditional Altseason Coming to an End, Institutional Capital Shifting to BTC, ETH, and RWA
Andrei Grachev from DWF Labs points out that the traditional "altseason" is gradually disappearing due to structural changes in the crypto market. Institutional capital increasingly favors Bitcoin and Ethereum, exposing altcoins to higher risks and capital outflows. Over the past 13 months, altcoin market capitalization has declined by over $209 billion.
GateNews1h ago
Bitcoin rose 8.55% this week, potentially marking the largest single-week gain since September 2025
Gate News reported on March 15 that according to Coinglass data, Bitcoin's weekly return rate is currently at 8.55%, with a historical average return rate of -1.03%. Despite the escalating Iran-Israel conflict and prevailing risk-averse sentiment in the market, Bitcoin is poised to record its largest single-week gain since September 2025. During the same period, the S&P 500 index (the benchmark index for the U.S. stock market) declined by 1.60%, with BTC's performance significantly outperforming the U.S. stock market.
GateNews1h ago
