Bitcoin’s holder metric is currently revealing contrasting narratives that provide different insights into the cryptocurrency’s price forecast.
On one side, short-term holders are swiftly cashing out to secure profits at the first hint of a price rebound, flooding exchanges with Bitcoin. On the other end, long-term holders, the most seasoned participants in the market, are holding onto their coins silently, unfazed by the market noise.
Short-Term Holders Profiting During Market Strength
After briefly touching $70,000, Bitcoin witnessed a surge in selling activity by short-term holders. Insights provided by crypto analyst Darkfrost on CryptoQuant indicate a noticeable increase in selling pressure from short-term holders.
Within a 24-hour period, over 27,000 BTC in profit was transferred to exchanges by short-term holders, marking one of the highest profit realization levels observed in recent months. The chart below illustrates this surge, with the last comparable activity seen in early January 2026.
The significance lies in the fact that short-term holders typically react swiftly to price fluctuations. The data tracking their profit and loss on exchanges shows a spike in profit-taking as Bitcoin attempted to stabilize above $70,000.
Interestingly, the current profitable addresses are those that purchased Bitcoin within the past one week to one month, at an average price of $68,000. This positions them to de-risk even during the recovery phase. Other short-term holders are either breaking even or facing losses.
Bitcoin Short-Term Holder Profit and Loss on Exchanges. Source: CryptoQuant
Long-Term Holders Showing Patience Amid Market Dynamics
Long-term holders (LTHs), characterized by holding Bitcoin for over 155 days, are displaying a level of inactivity reminiscent of bear market bottoms. The Coin Value Days Destroyed (CVDD) metric, which not only tracks when long-held coins are moved but also the economic weight of those movements, currently stands at 0.34.
In historical context, market peaks have typically been accompanied by a CVDD exceeding 2.0, indicating heavy selling by long-term holders. At 0.34, the market is far from that scenario, with LTHs choosing to remain passive and not contribute to selling pressure.
The chart below indicates that the last significant selling activity by long-term holders occurred in early January 2026. Long-term holders play an active role in the crypto industry, strategically waiting for optimal selling prices or market conditions to accumulate more.
BTC: Value Days Destroyed. Source: @Darkfost_Coc On X
Image credits: Unsplash (featured image), TradingView (chart)
bitcoinist’s Editorial Process focuses on delivering meticulously researched, precise, and impartial content. We adhere to rigorous sourcing standards, with each article undergoing thorough evaluation by our team of top technology experts and experienced editors. This stringent process ensures the credibility, timeliness, and relevance of our content for our audience.
Be the first to comment