Bitcoin price crash prediction 2026: Bitcoin whales have been net sellers throughout 2025, offloading approximately 161,294 BTC worth $15 billion. This significant selling activity, occurring before or during market corrections, raises concerns for further price declines. While sharks are accumulating, continued whale distribution could hinder Bitcoin’s recovery in 2026.
Bitcoin price crash prediction 2026: Bitcoin is facing fresh uncertainty after an analyst warned that 2025 marked the largest whale-selling event in the cryptocurrency’s history, raising the risk of further price corrections.
Ali Charts, a popular on-chain analyst, said data shows that large Bitcoin holders, commonly known as whales, have been net sellers throughout the past year, as per a report. According to the analyst, whale holdings declined by 161,294 BTC over the last 12 months, a move he said typically appears before or during deeper market corrections rather than after prices have bottomed, as per a Zycrypto report.
He wrote in an X post, “The 1-year change in Bitcoin whale holdings is -161,294 $BTC,” adding, “That tells us whales have been net sellers over the last year. This behavior usually shows up before or during deeper corrections, not after bottoms,” as quoted by Zycrypto.
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Despite posting multiple new all-time highs this year, Bitcoin’s performance has been uneven, with several sharp flash crashes linked to heavy selling by large holders. At current levels, the cryptocurrency is hovering around $87,000, but market sentiment has become increasingly fragile as bearish pressure returns.
In total, whales are estimated to have sold about 161,294 BTC in 2025, worth roughly $15 billion, as per the Zycrypto report. Much of this selling occurred during key market moments, weighing on the bullish narrative. If the trend extends into 2026, analysts suggest it could be difficult for Bitcoin to achieve a sustained recovery.
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Ali noted that heavy selling by whales often signals either an upcoming correction or the continuation of a bearish trend. In contrast, strong buying activity from large holders is typically associated with the early stages of bull markets, something that has been largely absent over the past year.
However, not all large investors have been selling. Medium-sized holders, often referred to as “sharks” and defined as wallets holding between 100 and 1,000 BTC, have been net buyers throughout the year. Their accumulation has helped absorb some of the pressure created by whale selling and has fueled speculation that market influence is slowly shifting away from legacy whales toward a broader base of participants, as per the Zycrypto report.
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Even after the sell-off, whales still control more than 2 million BTC, giving them significant influence over price movements. Still, there are limits to how much they can sell, and the market’s ability to withstand sustained distribution in 2025 has highlighted Bitcoin’s resilience.
Looking ahead to 2026, analysts are expected to closely monitor whale activity for clues about the market’s next direction. A slowdown in selling, even if temporary, could provide short-term relief for bullish investors, while continued distribution may keep pressure on prices in the months ahead.
How much Bitcoin did whales sell in 2025?
About 161,294 BTC, worth roughly $15 billion.
How much Bitcoin do whales still control?
More than 2 million BTC.
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