Whale Bitcoin Holdings Reach Record 12.17 Million BTC

2 mins mins

Key Points:

Data shows whale wallets hold 12.17 million Bitcoin, 61% of supply.
Record holdings suggest increased market stabilization.
Institutionalization alters Bitcoin market dynamics significantly.

On October 17, on-chain analyst Murphy revealed that whale wallets holding at least 100 BTC collectively own 12.17 million BTC, equivalent to 61% of Bitcoin’s circulating supply.

This notable concentration of assets in whale wallets suggests increased market stability, altering dynamics compared to past cycles characterized by panic and indiscriminate selling.

Recent data indicate that whale wallets

now hold 12.17 million BTC, accounting for 61% of the total Bitcoin supply. This aligns with levels reached during past bull markets, evidencing notable consistency in whale behavior. Notable changes have occurred as former “OG” whales have reportedly passed their holdings to institutional players.

This structural shift suggests a maturing market landscape, with institutional capital potentially stabilizing price fluctuations. Past cycles were characterized by extreme volatility and large-scale panic selling when whale sentiment reversed. In contrast, recent trends show less panic and more measured moves among big Bitcoin holders.

Market reactions to these developments remain mixed, but the latest data showed minimal panic even during significant price declines. Notably, whales maintained composure during the October 11 crash, incurring a daily realized loss of only $400 million, far below previous cycle peaks.

“Whale dynamics in the current market cycle indicate a significant measure of stability, with recent selling behavior reflecting more strategic decisions rather than panic.” — Murphy, On-chain Analyst

Expertise Insights: Stability from Institutional Influx

Did you know? Whale Bitcoin wallets holding over 100 BTC have now reached a historic 12.17 million BTC. This surpasses previous peaks, indicating a maturing market with attenuated volatility compared to an 80% bear market after 2017’s peak.

CoinMarketCap reports Bitcoin’s current price as $106,512.21, reflecting recent market volatility. Bitcoin’s trading volume reached $113.12 billion, with a 24-hour decrease of 2.05%. Its circulating supply is 19,935,965, with market dominance at 59.25%.

bitcoin-daily-chart-3797 — Bitcoin(BTC), daily chart, screenshot on CoinMarketCap at 15:56 UTC on October 17, 2025. *Source: CoinMarketCap*

Coincu’s research team underscores the increased market stability due to heightened institutional participation. Historical trends indicate that institutional capital inflows may buffer against extreme volatility, contrasting sharply with past cycles driven by panic selling among significant holders.

DISCLAIMER: The information on this website is provided as general market commentary and does not constitute investment advice. We encourage you to do your own research before investing.