Year-end trading slowdown highlights retail accumulation and flat whale activity, signaling potential volatility ahead.
As 2025 comes to a close, crypto markets are growing noticeably quiet. Trading volumes have notably declined in the year’s final weeks, affected by flat prices, unpredictable movements, and holiday distractions keeping traders away from their screens.
According to the on-chain analytics firm Santiment, this period marks the lowest two-week trading stretch for Bitcoin and major altcoins since the same time in 2024.
Trading Volume Dips to Year-Low Levels
Santiment’s analysis highlights a predictable slowdown in trading activity, with Bitcoin and altcoins like Ethereum, Solana, Cardano, and Dogecoin experiencing significantly reduced volumes.
Compared to December 2024, when altcoins maintained notable movement, this year’s weekly trading volumes have fallen to less than half.
Shifts in Bitcoin Holder Behavior
In a separate insight, Santiment compared the accumulation patterns of Bitcoin’s large holders (whales and sharks) with smaller retail investors.
Wallets holding between 10 and 10,000 BTC saw a modest 0.36% increase in coins since July 1. Meanwhile, small retail wallets with under 0.1 BTC accumulated 3.31% more coins over the same period.
According to Santiment, historically, bullish reversals occur when large wallets accumulate while retail sells off. However, the second half of 2025 reversed this dynamic: retail investors aggressively built positions, while larger holders remained largely flat, accumulating up to October’s all-time high before selling.
Why This Matters
Knowing which groups are accumulating or selling can help predict market moves and inform trading or investment strategies.
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