Crypto market alert: $5.300 billion flows into Bitcoin, confirming what Santiment had been warning about

Santiment has reported a massive accumulation of Bitcoin by so-called crypto whales, who have added $5.300 billion while the retail market sells amid uncertainty and price consolidation.

Analysts at the market intelligence firm Santiment have been noting for the past few weeks that the digital asset ecosystem began this year with renewed optimism that could set the tone for the first quarter. Recent activity on the blockchain appears to confirm this forecast, validating the thesis that large investors are strategically positioning themselves. 

The latest data reveals that large cryptocurrency holders have acquired a total of 56.227 units of Bitcoin for approximately $5.300 billion since mid-December. This massive influx of institutional capital contrasts with the activity of smaller investors, who have opted for profit-taking, thus creating the technical conditions that typically precede upward price movements.

The report presented by Santiment this week details that wallets classified under the “whale” and “shark” categories now control significantly more Bitcoin than they did just three weeks ago. This shift in the distribution of digital wealth marks a notable alteration in the market position, suggesting that Smart money is absorbing the available supply before a possible break of current resistance levels. 

Bitcoin whales are accumulating heavily

Santiment defines Bitcoin “whales” and “sharks” as addresses that hold between 10 and 10.000 units of the cryptocurrency, giving them considerable power to influence liquidity and the direction of the trend. Conversely, retail traders are those who hold portfolios with less than 0,01 BTC. 

The research firm emphasized that digital asset markets have historically moved in the direction chosen by large institutional players rather than following the erratic or emotional behavior of retail investors. This dynamic of following smart money has remained consistent throughout multiple market cycles and appears to be repeating itself in the current scenario.

Santiment analysts characterized this current divergence between large portfolio growth and price action as a clearly bullish signalThe fact that large shareholders are increasing their positions while Bitcoin's price remains above $90.000 suggests they anticipate significant future gains despite the cryptocurrency's nearly sideways trading in recent weeks. This pattern of behavior intensified markedly in the last 24 hours as retail traders began liquidating their positions. 

Smaller investors appear to believe the current rally represents a bull trap rather than a sustainable momentum, prompting this demographic to sell to lock in previous gains. However, Santiment stated that this specific combination of aggressive accumulation by whales and capitulation or selling by the retail sector is creating a statistically higher-than-usual probability of continued growth in the sector's global market capitalization.

Redistribution and low speculation mark the start of the year for Bitcoin

From a price perspective, Bitcoin has traded within a narrow range of $87.000 to $94.000 for six consecutive weeks, which has allowed for the establishment of clear levels of technical support and resistance. 

Earlier this week, the cryptocurrency reached a seven-week high, nearing $94.800, before retreating slightly to the $90.000 range, where it is currently trading. This range has become a key point of tension, where buyers and sellers are battling to determine whether the accumulation trend will consolidate.

Glassnode analyst James Check, noticed On Tuesday, Bitcoin began 2026 with a strong push towards the $94.000 area, although it stressed that the redistribution of supply represents the most significant development of the day. 

Check noted that the most concentrated share of the market has decreased from 67% to 47%, indicating greater asset dispersion towards larger players. Furthermore, he highlighted that profit-taking activity has declined substantially and that futures markets are experiencing short-term pressures, known as short squeezesOne important piece of information that provides reassurance to institutional investors is that overall market leverage remains low despite these sharp movements, suggesting organic growth and a lower likelihood of cascading sell-offs.

Other analysts have stated that Bitcoin remains in a consolidation phase and that there is high interest in call options concentrated around the $100.000 strike price for the January expiration. On the downside, analysts have also said that immediate support lies between $88.000 and $90.000, and a break below this level could trigger a deeper correction that would invalidate the current short-term structure.

Large funds are preparing Bitcoin's next move

The crypto whale accumulation data cited by Santiment unequivocally suggests that large investors and funds maintain unwavering confidence in Bitcoin's medium-term prospects, even in a context of stagnant prices and slight pullbacks, such as the current one. While many small investors reduce their exposure and seek liquidity, large holders—including funds and institutions—continue to add to their holdings. billions in positionsconvinced that the current market calm is only a preliminary phase to a new expansion cycle.

Historically, when smart capital absorbs the supply sold by weaker hands in support zones, the market tends to resolve the consolidation to the upside, rewarding the patience of those who knew how to interpret the underlying flows beyond the noise of daily volatility.