- Over 45,000 BTC worth $4.9B moved to Binance by whales in 30 days while retail demand slumped 10% showing diverging market sentiment.
- Whale inflows peaked during key Bitcoin rallies as retail activity declined, marking a shift toward large-holder-driven market dynamics.
- Despite Bitcoin staying above $100K, retail interest hit a six-month low, reflecting cautious behavior and cooling small investor momentum.
As per crypto analyst Maartunn, Bitcoin whale activity is intensifying while retail investor demand sees its sharpest decline in six months. Over the past 30 days, whales moved more than 45,000 BTC—worth nearly $4.9 billion—onto Binance alone. At the same time, retail demand dropped by 10%, a shift in market dynamics. This divergence highlights changing sentiment as large holders reposition while small investors retreat.
Whale Exchange Inflows Reflect Market Strategy
Binance experienced varying whale deposits between September 2023 and July 2025 which matched Bitcoin price movements. During late 2023 Bitcoin reaching $40,000 triggered whale inflows that exceeded $8 billion. The March 2024 spike matched BTC’s approach to $70,000. Bitcoin reaching $90,000 in November 2024 caused the highest inflow because institutional investors showed strong interest.
Source: Maartunn
Moreover, inflows declined sharply in December 2024, despite Bitcoin reaching $100,000. This change signaled a reduction in immediate selling pressure. Besides, whale movements of over 10,000 BTC caused notable spikes. These massive transfers often preceded or accompanied high volatility.
Meanwhile, medium-sized transactions—between 100 and 1,000 BTC—remained consistent across market cycles. This steady behavior suggests that mid-level holders kept accumulating regardless of trends.
Retail Interest Dips Despite Bullish Price Action
Retail investor demand has fallen to its lowest in six months as per analyst Maartun. Transfers between $0 and $10,000 declined 10% over 30 days. This comes despite Bitcoin holding above $100,000. Additionally, retail demand had peaked at 30% during the late 2024 breakout, mirroring 2021’s bull top.
Source: Maartunn
However, since that surge, interest from small investors has cooled. This decline is an hesitation from new entrants and less FOMO-driven buying. Previously, retail spikes correlated with price surges above $60K in 2021 and $70K in early 2024.
Moreover, downturns in retail demand historically matched market corrections. The recent drop suggests a cautious retail stance amid high price levels. Consequently, The analyst views the current environment as whale-driven, with retail remaining on the sidelines.
