A fascinating transformation is underway within Bitcoin’s core ownership structure. While large holders, often called “whales,” still control a colossal portion of the supply, their strategy appears to be evolving in a way that could fundamentally strengthen the network for its next leg up.
Recent on-chain data reveals that the number of addresses holding between 100 and 10,000 BTC has grown. However, the average amount of Bitcoin per whale in this elite cohort has plummeted to just 488 BTC—a level not seen since 2018. This pivotal shift is sparking a crucial debate: is this a sign of distribution and panic, or a strategic opportunity signaling a healthier, more resilient market?
The Great Redistribution: Whales are Sharing the Wealth
According to a detailed report from Glassnode, the supply held by whales (100-10k BTC) has seen a notable structural change. Since a peak in late 2024, the average balance per address has consistently contracted.
To put this in perspective:
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2022: ~590 BTC per whale
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Early 2024: ~560 BTC per whale
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Mid-2025: ~488 BTC per whale
This decline in concentration is happening against a stunning macroeconomic backdrop. As noted by Reuters, institutional adoption through Spot Bitcoin ETFs has created a massive new source of demand. This provides a critical clue: whales are likely distributing coins, but they are not being dumped on the open market. They are being absorbed by a vast and growing pool of institutional and retail investors.
A Tale of Two Cycles: Why This Time is Fundamentally Different
The critical factor that separates this whale drawdown from past events is price action.
In the 2022 bear market, the decline in whale balances coincided with a brutal 63% price crash to $17,000. The selling pressure from large holders directly contributed to the downturn.
The 2024-2025 scenario is the inverse. As whale supply per address dropped approximately 12%, the price of Bitcoin defied gravity, rallying over 70% and setting a series of new all-time highs (ATHs), recently touching $124,000. This creates a powerful narrative of distribution into strength, not weakness.
Volatility as a Bullish Lever: Building a Stronger Foundation
This dynamic showcases Bitcoin’s incredible maturation. The market is now deep and liquid enough to absorb selling from its largest players without triggering a cascade of panic selling. This turns volatility into a bullish lever:
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Strategic Profit-Taking: Long-term whales are rationally taking some profit after a historic run.
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Broad-Based Absorption: As explained in analyses by CoinDesk, ETFs and a growing global investor base are buying every dip, creating a formidable “bid wall.”
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Resilient Rebound: The distribution leads to a redistribution of coins to more hands, decentralizing ownership and making the market structure more robust and less prone to a single point of failure.
This process effectively prevents the illiquid, reflexive crashes characteristic of past bear markets. The declining whale supply is not a red flag; it’s a key liquidity event that reinforces Bitcoin’s resilient market structure.
Panic or Opportunity? The Verdict is Clear
For the astute investor, the data points to a significant opportunity, not a reason for panic. The movement of coins from a concentrated few to a dispersed many is a classic sign of a maturing asset class building a broader foundation for future growth.
It indicates that the market is developing the depth required for sustained stability. The whales aren’t abandoning ship; they are strategically lightening their load, and a wave of new demand from institutions and empowered retail investors is gladly shouldering the weight. This Great Redistribution may well be remembered as the event that solidified Bitcoin’s transition into a mature, institutional-grade asset.
