- Whales have added 56,227 BTC since mid-December, signaling bullish momentum.
- Institutions are buying 76% more BTC than miners produce, historically preceding price rallies.
- Bitcoin consolidates near $94K with potential breakout toward $100K in January.
Bitcoin (BTC) is showing early signs of bullish momentum in 2026, driven by growing whale accumulation and renewed institutional interest. Market analysts suggest that these dynamics could pave the way for further gains in the weeks ahead, even as retail traders take profits.
Whales and Retail Traders Move in Opposite Directions
Data from on-chain analytics platform Santiment reveals a striking divergence in BTC behavior. Large holders, classified as whales and sharks—wallets with 10 to 10,000 BTC—have collectively added 56,227 BTC since mid-December. In contrast, small retail wallets holding less than 0.01 BTC are taking profits, anticipating a possible “bull trap.”
Santiment notes that crypto markets often follow the actions of large holders while moving contrary to small retail traders. This pattern suggests a bullish outlook, with whale accumulation signaling potential upward price movement despite the market’s recent sideways trend.
Bitcoin Breaks the $94K Range
Bitcoin has been trading in a relatively narrow band between $87,000 and $94,000 for six weeks. On Monday, BTC touched a seven-week high of $94,800 on Coinbase, marking a notable break above the mid-range levels. Analyst James Check highlighted a significant underlying supply redistribution, with top-heavy BTC supply shifting from 67% to 47%. Futures markets also show early signs of a short squeeze, while overall leverage remains low, reinforcing the consolidation’s bullish nature.
Andri Fauzan Adziima, research lead at Bitrue, emphasized that Bitcoin is in a “bullish consolidation phase.” Resistance now lies between $95,000 and $100,000, with heavy call option interest at the $100K strike. Support levels sit between $88,000 and $90,000, meaning a breach below could trigger a deeper correction.
Institutional Buying Pushes BTC Higher
Adding to the positive sentiment, institutional investors are actively buying Bitcoin. According to Capriole Investments, institutions have been net buyers for eight consecutive days, acquiring 76% more BTC than miners produced. This trend historically precedes notable price rallies. Since 2020, periods where institutional net buying exceeded mining supply have produced average gains of nearly 110%, with some flips triggering upside of over 40%.
Network economist Timothy Peterson suggests that history favors BTC moving above $100,000 in January, even after the recent 40% decline from the $126,200 all-time high in October. He notes that Bitcoin has rebounded in similar scenarios 67% of the time, reinforcing the case for a near-term bullish breakout.
Also Read: Did the U.S. Just Sell Its Bitcoin Reserve as BTC Hits $94K?
The combination of whale accumulation, retail profit-taking, and strong institutional demand suggests that Bitcoin is positioned for potential upside. Traders should, however, remain alert to key support and resistance levels as the market navigates this consolidation phase. If history and current buying trends hold, BTC could be on track for a breakout toward the $100,000 mark.
Disclaimer: The information in this article is for general purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. The author’s views are personal and may not reflect the views of CoinBrief.io. Before making any investment decisions, you should always conduct your own research. CoinBrief.io is not responsible for any financial losses.
