Bitcoin whales might sound like another gimmick crypto token but it is not. It is the term which is commonly used to refer to those investors who hold a huge amount of Bitcoins in their portfolios. Bitcoin whales can be as big as the OG of the industry like Satoshi Nakamoto who holds a whopping total of 1 million Bitcoins in its long inactive wallet.
These Bitcoin wallets’ activity is monitored closely as even a relatively smaller movement from these wallets, directly impacts the overall crypto market. Right now when the year is close to its end and Bitcoin is trading at its year’s best, the next move of Bitcoin whales is highly anticipated and rumours keep coming up related to that.
But right now, Bitcoin whales are holding onto their wallets really tight. But what is the reason? Here are some of the potential reasons why Bitcoin whales are not moving an inch in the market right now.
Long-Term Investment
Many Bitcoin whales view their holdings as a long-term investment. They believe in the future potential of Bitcoin and expect its value to increase over time. This long-term perspective encourages them to hold onto their investments despite short-term market fluctuations. Right now when Bitcoin halving is around the corner, Bitcoin whales are also trying their best to not disturb the momentum and take the market in just the right direction.
Market Influence
Large holders of Bitcoin can have a significant impact on the market. By holding onto their investments, they can help stabilize the market and prevent large-scale sell-offs that could lead to price crashes. Some whales also hold onto their Bitcoin due to a strong belief in the underlying technology and principles of Bitcoin, such as decentralization, limited supply, and its role as a digital alternative to traditional currencies.
Diversification and Asset Allocation
For some investors, Bitcoin is part of a diversified investment portfolio. Holding onto Bitcoin allows them to maintain a balanced asset allocation, especially if they view it as a hedge against inflation or economic uncertainty.
While some whales might be waiting for the price of Bitcoin to reach a certain level before they consider selling. They might believe that the current market conditions do not reflect the true value of Bitcoin and are waiting for a more favourable time to sell. Bitcoin halving could just be the right time for this sell-off when the market would be piping hot.
Regulatory and Tax Considerations
Selling large amounts of Bitcoin can also have significant regulatory and tax implications. Whales might hold onto their investments to avoid complex legal issues or large tax liabilities.
Some reports suggest that Bitcoin whales might be accumulating more Bitcoin, seeing dips in the market as buying opportunities to increase their holdings.
Image: Increasing supply of BTC held within the top 1 per cent of addresses.
Nearly 68.5 per cent of the total circulating supply has been inactive for at least one year, approaching its peak level. Furthermore, the hash rate of BTC, which signifies the computational power within the blockchain network, has achieved a record high based on a 7-day moving average.
Even though most of the Bitcoin whales in the world are unknown and there is no particular order in which we can rank them but total volume, here we are sharing some of the most popular crypto whales in the world that the market keeps a close eye on.
Satoshi Nakamoto
At Bitcoin's inception, Satoshi Nakamoto, the elusive creator, crafted this groundbreaking cryptocurrency. Satoshi Nakamoto's Bitcoin address holds about 1 million BTC, valued at approximately $19.2 billion, establishing them as one of the most significant crypto whales, their true identity still veiled in secrecy.
Michael Saylor
Michael Saylor, a notable entrepreneur, holds over 17,732 BTC personally, valued at over $1.14 billion. His company, MicroStrategy, delved into Bitcoin accumulation in 2020, with estimates suggesting holdings in the billions. Saylor's influence places him among the elite Bitcoin whales.
Winklevoss Twins
The Winklevoss twins redirected a $65 million settlement from their legal battle with Mark Zuckerberg into Bitcoin, amassing around 70,000 bitcoins. Their early crypto investments, post-Facebook dispute, established them as significant players in the crypto realm.
Roger Ver
Known as the 'Bitcoin Jesus,' Roger Ver has been a crypto advocate since 2011. Holding about 335,000 BTC, Ver's impact extends to various crypto ventures, including Ripple, bitcoinstore.com, and Kraken. His consistent praise for Bitcoin underscores its significance in his view.
Barry Silbert
Barry Silbert, an early Bitcoin adopter, invested $175,000 in Bitcoin in 2012 when its value was $11. His foresight led to the creation of Digital Currency Group (DCG) in 2013, now a conglomerate with assets exceeding $28 billion in Bitcoin and Ethereum. Silbert's journey is not only lucrative but profoundly influential in the crypto world.
These individuals and entities comprise the upper echelon of Bitcoin whales, wielding strong influence in the entire crypto space. Their strategic actions and investments continue to shape the ever-evolving landscape of cryptocurrencies.
Also Read: Bitcoin's Journey and Impactful Rise Over 15 Years