Bitcoin is currently in a consolidation phase after enduring weeks of selling pressure and heightened volatility. Despite struggling to break above the $90K level, BTC continues to hold strong above the $80K–$81K zone—a crucial support range that has kept the broader market from slipping into deeper losses. However, macroeconomic tensions persist, with the ongoing trade conflict between the United States and China fueling global uncertainty. The threat of further tariffs and an impending recession continues to weigh on risk-on assets like Bitcoin.
Still, on-chain metrics suggest that larger players remain confident. According to data from Glassnode, wallets holding more than 10,000 BTC continue to accumulate, with their trend score hovering near 0.7—indicating sustained bullish activity from long-term holders. Meanwhile, smaller cohorts—ranging from less than 1 BTC to 100 BTC—have started easing their distribution, with the 10–100 BTC group now approaching a 0.5 trend score.
With whales leading the charge and smaller holders beginning to follow, Bitcoin’s consolidation may set the stage for the next major move once macro conditions stabilize.
Bitcoin Whales Lead Accumulation Amid Global Uncertainty
Bitcoin is at a pivotal moment as global tensions and economic instability continue to drive volatility across markets. The escalating trade war between the United States and China has triggered waves of investor uncertainty, especially after U.S. President Donald Trump announced a 90-day tariff pause for all countries except China. With trade relations between the world’s largest economies hanging in the balance, market participants remain cautious, and Bitcoin—often viewed as a high-risk asset—continues to trade below key moving averages.
Despite the bearish overhang, on-chain data from Glassnode reveals a more nuanced picture. Wallets holding over 10,000 BTC maintain a strong accumulation trend, with the trend score hovering around 0.7. This sustained activity suggests that long-term, deep-pocketed investors are undeterred by short-term price swings and continue to build positions.
More notably, smaller investor groups—from wallets holding less than 1 BTC to those holding up to 100 BTC—are easing off their distribution. In particular, the 10–100 BTC group now hovers near a 0.5 trend score, a sign that this mid-sized cohort could be pivoting from selling to accumulating.
This potential shift in sentiment among smaller holders could mark a turning point for the market. If macroeconomic conditions begin to stabilize and momentum follows, Bitcoin’s next breakout could be shaped by this growing alignment between whales and mid-sized investors.
BTC Price Tests Liquidity Bands As Bulls Eye $90K Breakout
Bitcoin is currently trading around critical liquidity levels, caught in a tight range as the market lacks clear direction. After weeks of volatility, BTC now sits in a consolidation phase, where both buyers and sellers hesitate to take control. The key challenge for bulls is to reclaim the $90K mark, which would set the stage for a recovery rally and potentially open the door for a breakout above the $95K level—a crucial threshold for re-establishing a strong bullish structure.
However, before bulls can think about $90K, they must first overcome two important moving averages. The 200-day EMA, located around $85K, and the 200-day MA, near $88K, are acting as firm resistance levels. These technical indicators have historically played a key role in determining trend direction and sentiment. A sustained move above both would confirm strength and increase the likelihood of further upside.
On the flip side, failure to reclaim these levels could expose BTC to renewed selling pressure. A breakdown below the $82K support zone could trigger a deeper retrace, possibly dragging price back toward the $75K region. For now, Bitcoin remains in limbo, awaiting a decisive move.
Featured image from Dall-E, chart from TradingView
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