TLDR:
- Bitcoin has maintained stability above $90,000 despite market pressures, with current trading around $96,000 and potential movement toward $99,000
- Large-scale accumulation detected with whales acquiring 28,000 BTC ($2.6 billion) through OTC trading desks and institutional investors
- Market sentiment remains bearish according to advanced metrics, with current readings at 31% compared to typical 43%
- Bitcoin has shown resilience during recent stock market turbulence caused by Chinese AI developments and trade tensions
- Long-term holders are advised to maintain positions based on realized pricing bands analysis, which suggests the market isn’t overextended
Bitcoin has demonstrated remarkable stability in recent weeks, maintaining a strong position above $90,000 despite various market pressures.
According to recent data from CryptoQuant, major players in the cryptocurrency market have accumulated more than 28,000 BTC, equivalent to approximately $2.6 billion, indicating substantial confidence in Bitcoin’s long-term prospects.
The accumulation pattern shows that these purchases were primarily conducted through Over-the-Counter (OTC) trading desks and institutional investors, suggesting a strategic approach to building positions.
These transactions occurred away from traditional spot exchanges, potentially reducing immediate market impact while establishing substantial long-term holdings.
BTC Price
Price action has remained relatively contained, with Bitcoin trading between $93,000 and $106,000 over the past three months.
At press time, the price stands at $96,000, showing resilience after a brief dip to $93,400 on February 18th. The next psychological barrier appears to be the $99,000 level, which market participants are watching closely.
The stability of Bitcoin’s price is particularly noteworthy given the recent turbulence in traditional financial markets. The American stock market has experienced double-digit losses following the surprise emergence of the Chinese AI chatbot Deepseek, yet Bitcoin has maintained its position above key support levels.
Market sentiment indicators, however, paint a complex picture. The Bitcoin Advanced Sentiment Index currently reads at 31%, notably below the typical monthly average of 43%. This metric, which incorporates factors such as Open Interest, Net Taker Volume, and Volume Delta, suggests that bearish sentiment continues to dominate market psychology.
Realized pricing bands analysis provides additional context for long-term holders. Current prices relative to the realized price multiple indicate that the market is not overextended on higher timeframes. This technical indicator has historically helped identify cycle tops and bottoms, with current readings suggesting room for continued upward movement.
Accumulation
The accumulation by major players has removed a substantial amount of Bitcoin from circulating supply. More than $2.5 billion worth of Bitcoin has been transferred to wallets associated with long-term holding patterns, potentially reducing selling pressure in the coming weeks.
Trump’s campaign promise regarding a Bitcoin strategic reserve has introduced an additional factor for market participants to consider. While the timeline for such an initiative remains unclear, it represents another potential catalyst for price movement.
Technical analysis
Technical analysis shows that extended periods of price stagnation often precede major market moves. The current consolidation phase, while testing investor patience, may be setting the stage for increased volatility in the near future.
On-chain metrics continue to support the possibility of bull market continuation, though external factors such as U.S.-China trade tensions and pressure on AI investments may influence timing. Market analysts suggest that improvement could materialize in the second quarter of 2025.
Despite recent selling pressure from spot ETFs and concerns over Trump tariffs, Bitcoin’s price floor has remained intact above $90,000. This price stability during challenging market conditions has impressed market observers and reinforced confidence in Bitcoin’s resilience.
The realized price metric, which reflects the average purchase price of Bitcoin investors, provides valuable insight into market dynamics. Current readings suggest that long-term holders who don’t require immediate liquidity may benefit from maintaining their positions.
Market data indicates that institutional interest remains strong, with OTC desk activity suggesting continued accumulation by major players. These movements often precede larger market trends and warrant close attention from market participants.
Recent data shows that wallet addresses associated with long-term holding patterns continue to increase their positions, indicating a potential shift in supply dynamics that could impact future price action.
Oliver Dale
Editor-in-Chief of CoinCentral and founder of Kooc Media, A UK-Based Online Media Company. Believer in Open-Source Software, Blockchain Technology & a Free and Fair Internet for all. His writing has been quoted by Nasdaq, Dow Jones, Investopedia, The New Yorker, Forbes, Techcrunch & More. Contact Oliver@coincentral.com