Long-Term Bitcoin Holders Dump 122K BTC Worth $11B In Single Day

Bitcoin 2026-01-23 19:16

Long-Term Bitcoin Holders Dump 122K BTC Worth B In Single Day

Bitcoin (BTC) is flashing four simultaneous warning signs as long-term holder selling jumped 61% in a single day while ETF demand hit its lowest point since November and a bearish chart pattern forms near critical support levels.

What Happened: Holder Selling Accelerates

Long-term holders sold approximately 75,950 BTC on Jan. 21. The following day, that figure surged to roughly 122,486 BTC.

The 61% increase represents a sharp acceleration rather than gradual distribution. These sellers remain profitable, with long-term holder NUPL still in the belief zone despite dropping to a six-month low.

On the technical side, a head-and-shoulders pattern is forming on the 12-hour chart with the neckline sitting near $86,430.

A breakdown would imply roughly 9-10% downside.

CryptoQuant analyst @KriptoMevsimi described the current market as potentially "the largest long-term Bitcoin supply release in history," adding that Bitcoin "is not only undergoing a price cycle, but potentially a transition in who holds it and why."

Meanwhile, spot ETFs recorded net selling of approximately $1.19 billion for the week ending Jan. 21. Short-term speculative buyers are filling the gap, with the one-week to one-month holder cohort increasing its supply share from 4.6% to 5.6% since Jan. 11.

Also Read: What Drove Seeker's 200% Spike While Airdrop Recipients Rushed To Sell?

Why It Matters: Support Structure Weakens

The convergence of technical breakdown signals, accelerating long-term selling, weakening ETF flows, and rising speculative participation creates fragile market conditions.

Short-term traders typically buy dips and sell rebounds rather than providing durable support.

Bitcoin needs a strong 12-hour close above $90,340 to ease immediate pressure, with $92,300 representing a more meaningful recovery level. A loss of $86,430 would confirm the bearish pattern breakdown, and with the current buyer composition tilted toward speculation, downside moves could accelerate quickly once support fails.

Read Next: Paul Atkins Confirms Joint SEC-CFTC Meeting To Advance Trump's Crypto Capital Vision

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This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice.

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