Time To Buy? Bitcoin Slips Below Cost Basis — Saylor Signals ‘More Orange’

bitcoinistPublished on 2026-02-03Last updated on 2026-02-03

Abstract

Bitcoin's price decline briefly pushed major holders into losses, but key players like Michael Saylor's MicroStrategy signaled continued accumulation with his "More Orange" post. The company holds roughly 712,647 BTC. U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs, managing $113 billion, now have an average buy price above current market levels, creating paper losses despite ongoing institutional buying. Exchange reserves have fallen to multi-year lows, suggesting long-term holding rather than panic selling. Network transaction fees remained low during the volatility, and despite a brief hashrate drop, corporate buying optimism persists. MicroStrategy recently completed its largest purchase since February 2025, adding 13,627 BTC worth $1.3 billion, indicating strong conviction at the corporate level.

Bitcoin’s price crash over the weekend pushed some big holders into the red for a short while, but a handful of major players signaled they were still buying into the dip.

Strategy’s executive chairman Michael Saylor posted on X “More Orange” after the slide, hinting at fresh accumulation for a company that has been steadily adding to its stash for years.

Reports show Strategy’s holdings remain large, at roughly 712,647 BTC, which underlines why its moves draw so much attention from traders and investors.

Average ETF Cost Still Above Trading Levels

Reports say US spot Bitcoin ETFs manage about $113 billion and hold roughly 1.28 million BTC, putting an implied average buy price above current market rates.

This gap explains why many ETF positions are showing losses on paper even though some institutions keep buying.

The fact that passive products can be underwater at the same time a corporate buyer adds to its balance sheet creates an odd mix of market signals.

Exchange Balances Continue To Fall

One sign the sell-off may not be pure panic is the steady flow of coins off exchanges into private wallets. Reports note exchange reserves have slid to levels not seen in years, a trend that often points to long-term hoarding rather than immediate selling.

Lower exchange balances usually mean there are fewer coins ready to be sold quickly, which can make price swings more extreme when demand dries up.

BTCUSD currently trading at $77,905. Chart: TradingView

Transaction Costs Remain Low

On the network side, average transaction fees stayed relatively modest during the crash, so ordinary activity did not choke the chain.

Data show the typical fee hovered around $0.7 per transfer in late January, which keeps small transfers practical and means the network was not under strain even as prices moved sharply. Low fees can encourage more on-chain movement without creating bottlenecks.

Image: MasterClass

Network Security Saw A Brief Drop

Reports have highlighted a recent pullback in hashrate, as miners in some regions faced weather and operational disruptions, causing a near-term drop of roughly 12% from prior highs.

Optimism Is High

Strategy has ramped up its Bitcoin buying after a slower period in 2025, completing its largest purchase since February last year. The firm added 13,627 BTC worth about $1.3 billion, signaling a renewed push to grow its holdings.

Saylor’s latest post fits a familiar pattern that markets have learned to watch closely. Each time Bitcoin stumbles into fear-heavy territory, his brief messages tend to surface, often read as quiet confidence rather than noise.

While prices remain fragile and sentiment uneven, Strategy’s continued signaling suggests conviction has not faded at the corporate level.

Featured image from Alexander Spatari/Getty Images, chart from TradingView

Related Questions

QWhat did Michael Saylor post on X after Bitcoin's price crash, and what does it imply?

AMichael Saylor posted 'More Orange' on X, which is widely interpreted as a signal that his company, MicroStrategy, is continuing to buy more BTC during the price dip.

QAccording to the article, why are many U.S. spot Bitcoin ETF positions showing paper losses?

AThe implied average buy price for the BTC held by US spot Bitcoin ETFs is above the current market trading levels, meaning the coins were purchased at a higher price than they are currently worth.

QWhat does the steady flow of coins off exchanges into private wallets indicate about the market sentiment?

AIt indicates a trend of long-term hoarding rather than immediate selling, suggesting that the sell-off may not be driven by pure panic.

QHow did Bitcoin's network transaction fees behave during the recent price crash?

AAverage transaction fees remained relatively low, hovering around $0.7 per transfer, indicating that ordinary network activity was not strained and small transfers remained practical.

QWhat recent change did MicroStrategy make to its Bitcoin purchasing strategy, as mentioned in the article?

AMicroStrategy ramped up its Bitcoin buying after a slower period in 2025, completing its largest purchase since February of the previous year by adding 13,627 BTC worth about $1.3 billion.

Related Reads

In-Depth Report on the On-Chain Lending Market: When Off-Chain Credit Meets On-Chain Liquidation

The on-chain lending market has evolved from a peripheral DeFi niche into core financial infrastructure. As of early 2026, total value locked (TVL) in on-chain lending protocols has reached $64.3 billion, accounting for 53.54% of total DeFi TVL, making it the largest and most mature vertical within decentralized finance. Aave dominates the sector with approximately $32.9 billion in TVL, commanding nearly half of the market—a leadership position that is unlikely to be challenged in the foreseeable future. However, the path of on-chain lending forward is not without risk. Liquidation cascades, credit defaults, and cross-chain vulnerabilities remain systemic threats hanging over the industry. At the same time, a deeper structural transformation is underway: on-chain lending is shifting from a “leverage tool for crypto-native users” to a “compliant gateway for institutional capital”. The scale of RWA (Real World Asset) lending has surpassed $18.5 billion, with U.S. Treasuries and government securities increasingly serving as core collateral. Institutional capital inflows are reshaping both the user base and risk appetite of the sector. This report systematically analyzes the evolution of on-chain lending definitions, competitive dynamics, core risks, and future trends, providing a comprehensive industry outlook for investors and trade practitioners. Key findings suggest that the “one dominant player with several strong challengers” structure will persist in the short term, while fixed-rate lending, compliant collateral, and institutional credit underwriting will define the next phase of competition. For investors focused on DeFi infrastructure, three key opportunity tracks stand out, namely, the Aave ecosystem (Morpho, Spark), RWA lending protocols (Ondo, Maple) and fixed-rate innovation (Notional, Pendle).

HTX Learn6m ago

In-Depth Report on the On-Chain Lending Market: When Off-Chain Credit Meets On-Chain Liquidation

HTX Learn6m ago

Fu Peng's First Public Speech in 2026: What Exactly Are Crypto Assets? Why Did I Join the Crypto Asset Industry?

Fu Peng, a renowned macroeconomist and now Chief Economist at New火 Group, delivered his first public speech of 2026 at the Hong Kong Web3 Festival. He explained his perspective on crypto assets and why he joined the industry, framing it within the context of macroeconomic trends and financial evolution. Fu emphasized that crypto assets are transitioning from an early, belief-driven phase to a mature, institutionally integrated asset class. He drew parallels to the 1970s-80s, when technological advances (like computing) revolutionized traditional finance, leading to the rise of FICC (Fixed Income, Currencies, and Commodities). Similarly, current advancements in AI, data, and blockchain are reshaping finance, with crypto assets becoming part of a new "FICC + C" (C for Crypto) framework. He noted that institutional capital, including traditional hedge funds, avoided early crypto due to its speculative nature but are now engaging as regulatory clarity emerges (e.g., stablecoin laws, CFTC classifying crypto as a commodity). Fu predicted that 2025-2026 marks a turning point where crypto becomes a standardized, financially viable asset for diversified portfolios, akin to commodities or derivatives in traditional finance. Fu defined Bitcoin not as "digital gold" in a simplistic sense but as a value-preserving, financially tradable asset. He highlighted that crypto's future lies in regulated, institutional adoption, moving away from retail-dominated trading. His entry into crypto signals this maturation, where traditional finance integrates crypto into mainstream asset management.

marsbit1h ago

Fu Peng's First Public Speech in 2026: What Exactly Are Crypto Assets? Why Did I Join the Crypto Asset Industry?

marsbit1h ago

Justin Sun Sues Trump Family: What $75 Million Bought Was Only a Blacklist

Justin Sun, founder of Tron, has filed a lawsuit in federal court against World Liberty Financial (WLF), alleging he was made the "primary target of a fraudulent scheme" after investing $75 million. Sun claims the investment secured him an advisor title and WLFI tokens, which were later frozen by WLF, causing "hundreds of millions in losses." The dispute began in late 2024 when Sun's investment helped revive WLF's struggling token sale, which ultimately raised $550 million. Shortly after, the SEC dropped its lawsuit against Sun following Donald Trump's inauguration. However, relations soured when Sun refused WLF's demands for additional funding. In August 2025, WLF added a "blacklist" function to its smart contract, allowing it to unilaterally freeze tokens. Sun's holdings, worth approximately $107 million, were frozen, and he was threatened with token destruction. The lawsuit highlights WLF's structure, which directs 75% of token sale profits to the Trump family, who had earned $1 billion by December 2025. WLF's CEO is Zach Witkoff, son of U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff. The project faces scrutiny for opaque operations, including a controversial loan arrangement on the Dolomite platform, co-founded by a WLF advisor. Despite Sun's history with the SEC, the case underscores centralization risks within DeFi, as WLF controls governance and holds powers to freeze assets arbitrarily. Sun's tokens remain frozen as legal proceedings begin.

marsbit1h ago

Justin Sun Sues Trump Family: What $75 Million Bought Was Only a Blacklist

marsbit1h ago

Trading

Spot
Futures

Hot Articles

What is $BITCOIN

DIGITAL GOLD ($BITCOIN): A Comprehensive Analysis Introduction to DIGITAL GOLD ($BITCOIN) DIGITAL GOLD ($BITCOIN) is a blockchain-based project operating on the Solana network, which aims to combine the characteristics of traditional precious metals with the innovation of decentralized technologies. While it shares a name with Bitcoin, often referred to as “digital gold” due to its perception as a store of value, DIGITAL GOLD is a separate token designed to create a unique ecosystem within the Web3 landscape. Its goal is to position itself as a viable alternative digital asset, although specifics regarding its applications and functionalities are still developing. What is DIGITAL GOLD ($BITCOIN)? DIGITAL GOLD ($BITCOIN) is a cryptocurrency token explicitly designed for use on the Solana blockchain. In contrast to Bitcoin, which provides a widely recognized value storage role, this token appears to focus on broader applications and characteristics. Notable aspects include: Blockchain Infrastructure: The token is built on the Solana blockchain, known for its capacity to handle high-speed and low-cost transactions. Supply Dynamics: DIGITAL GOLD has a maximum supply capped at 100 quadrillion tokens (100P $BITCOIN), although details regarding its circulating supply are currently undisclosed. Utility: While precise functionalities are not explicitly outlined, there are indications that the token could be utilized for various applications, potentially involving decentralized applications (dApps) or asset tokenization strategies. Who is the Creator of DIGITAL GOLD ($BITCOIN)? At present, the identity of the creators and development team behind DIGITAL GOLD ($BITCOIN) remains unknown. This situation is typical among many innovative projects within the blockchain space, particularly those aligning with decentralized finance and meme coin phenomena. While such anonymity may foster a community-driven culture, it intensifies concerns about governance and accountability. Who are the Investors of DIGITAL GOLD ($BITCOIN)? The available information indicates that DIGITAL GOLD ($BITCOIN) does not have any known institutional backers or prominent venture capital investments. The project seems to operate on a peer-to-peer model focused on community support and adoption rather than traditional funding routes. Its activity and liquidity are primarily situated on decentralized exchanges (DEXs), such as PumpSwap, rather than established centralized trading platforms, further highlighting its grassroots approach. How DIGITAL GOLD ($BITCOIN) Works The operational mechanics of DIGITAL GOLD ($BITCOIN) can be elaborated on based on its blockchain design and network attributes: Consensus Mechanism: By leveraging Solana’s unique proof-of-history (PoH) combined with a proof-of-stake (PoS) model, the project ensures efficient transaction validation contributing to the network's high performance. Tokenomics: While specific deflationary mechanisms have not been extensively detailed, the vast maximum token supply implies that it may cater to microtransactions or niche use cases that are still to be defined. Interoperability: There exists the potential for integration with Solana’s broader ecosystem, including various decentralized finance (DeFi) platforms. However, the details regarding specific integrations remain unspecified. Timeline of Key Events Here is a timeline that highlights significant milestones concerning DIGITAL GOLD ($BITCOIN): 2023: The initial deployment of the token occurs on the Solana blockchain, marked by its contract address. 2024: DIGITAL GOLD gains visibility as it becomes available for trading on decentralized exchanges like PumpSwap, allowing users to trade it against SOL. 2025: The project witnesses sporadic trading activity and potential interest in community-led engagements, although no noteworthy partnerships or technical advancements have been documented as of yet. Critical Analysis Strengths Scalability: The underlying Solana infrastructure supports high transaction volumes, which could enhance the utility of $BITCOIN in various transaction scenarios. Accessibility: The potential low trading price per token could attract retail investors, facilitating wider participation due to fractional ownership opportunities. Risks Lack of Transparency: The absence of publicly known backers, developers, or an audit process may yield skepticism regarding the project's sustainability and trustworthiness. Market Volatility: The trading activity is heavily reliant on speculative behavior, which can result in significant price volatility and uncertainty for investors. Conclusion DIGITAL GOLD ($BITCOIN) emerges as an intriguing yet ambiguous project within the rapidly evolving Solana ecosystem. While it attempts to leverage the “digital gold” narrative, its departure from Bitcoin's established role as a store of value underscores the need for a clearer differentiation of its intended utility and governance structure. Future acceptance and adoption will likely depend on addressing the current opacity and defining its operational and economic strategies more explicitly. Note: This report encompasses synthesised information available as of October 2023, and developments may have transpired beyond the research period.

363 Total ViewsPublished 2025.05.13Updated 2025.05.13

What is $BITCOIN

Discussions

Welcome to the HTX Community. Here, you can stay informed about the latest platform developments and gain access to professional market insights. Users' opinions on the price of BTC (BTC) are presented below.

活动图片