Bitcoin Whales Accumulate During Crypto Winter – On-Chain Data Signals Potential Supply Squeeze

Markets 2026-02-12 09:17

Bitcoin (BTC) has faced significant downward pressure for four consecutive weeks, heavily retracing from its all-time high of $126,300 to trade near $66.720 as of writing. Despite the prevailing “crypto winter” conditions, on-chain data reveals that crypto whales have aggressively resumed purchasing assets. Data indicates these investors acquired approximately $4.72 billion BTC last few days.


Understanding Whale Accumulation Signals

Whale accumulation typically signals that high-net-worth investors believe the asset is undervalued relative to its long-term potential. This behavior often precedes a supply squeeze, where the available inventory on exchanges dries up just as demand returns. Similar accumulation trends have been observed in other altcoins and memecoins during periods of market weakness, often serving as leading indicators for price reversals.

When leverage is flushed out of the market, spot buying becomes the dominant driver of price action. Wallets holding over 1,000 coins added $4 billion in value recently, suggesting a transfer of assets from capitulating retail traders to long-term holders utilizing cold storage or custodial solutions.

Metrics Show Shift in Sentiments

Similarly, according to TradingView data, there was another 53,000 BTC purchase last week, representing the largest weekly whale acquisition since November. This aligns with CryptoQuant findings that saw nearly 67,000 BTC move into accumulator addresses in early February.

Concurrently, the derivatives market has cooled significantly. Futures open interest has plummeted from an October high of $95 billion to currently around $44 billion. This drastic reduction in leverage suggests a cleaner market structure less prone to immediate liquidation cascades. Furthermore, Spot Bitcoin ETFs have reversed their outflow trend, adding over $145 million earlier this week after heavy selling in January. This reinforces the institutional buy signal currently flashing on multiple timeframes.

Is a Supply Shock Imminent?

The convergence of falling open interest and rising spot accumulation could trigger a supply shock if demand sustains. While optimistic forecasts point to significantly higher future valuations, analysts urge caution. Data shows these same whales sold over 170,000 coins historically since December, indicating they are actively trading the range rather than purely holding.

Investors should monitor the $68,000 support level closely. If whales continue to absorb sell pressure while the Federal Reserve expands liquidity, the market may see a reversal of the current downtrend. However, failure to hold this level could see further consolidation before a true recovery begins.

30 Million Milestone, Low Price, and Community Incentives

Bitcoin Whales Accumulate During Crypto Winter – On-Chain Data Signals Potential Supply Squeeze

During the market crash of crypto assets, Bitcoin Hyper has emerged as the best crypto presale of 2026. In the current presale stage, HYPER tokens are available at just $0.013675 with presale standing at $31.3 million. Analysts believe that crossing the $32 million milestone could trigger a sharp price surge. 

Another highlight of the project is 39% p.a. Staking rewards for presale adopters, which is the highest in the industry. With strong investor backing and revolutionary technology, Bitcoin Hyper could emerge as the next star in the crypto market. 

Share to:

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

Curated Series

SuperEx Popular Science Articles Column

SuperEx Popular Science Articles Column

This collection features informative articles about SuperEx, aiming to simplify complex cryptocurrency concepts for a wider audience. It covers the basics of trading, blockchain technology, and the features of the SuperEx platform. Through easy-to-understand content, it helps users navigate the world of digital assets with confidence and clarity.

Unstaked related news and market dynamics research

Unstaked related news and market dynamics research

Unstaked (UNSD) is a blockchain platform integrating AI agents for automated community engagement and social media interactions. Its native token supports governance, staking, and ecosystem features. This special feature explores Unstaked’s market updates, token dynamics, and platform development.

XRP News and Research

XRP News and Research

This series focuses on XRP, covering the latest news, market dynamics, and in-depth research. Featured analysis includes price trends, regulatory developments, and ecosystem growth, providing a clear overview of XRP's position and potential in the cryptocurrency market.

How do beginners trade options?How does option trading work?

How do beginners trade options?How does option trading work?

This special feature introduces the fundamentals of options trading for beginners, explaining how options work, their main types, and the mechanics behind trading them. It also explores key strategies, potential risks, and practical tips, helping readers build a clear foundation to approach the options market with confidence.

What are the risks of investing in cryptocurrency?

What are the risks of investing in cryptocurrency?

This special feature covers the risks of investing in cryptocurrency, explaining common challenges such as market volatility, security vulnerabilities, regulatory uncertainties, and potential scams. It also provides analysis of risk management strategies and mitigation techniques, helping readers gain a clear understanding of how to navigate the crypto market safely.