A Notable Change in Bitcoin Holdings
Bitcoin holdings on Coinbase, a major cryptocurrency exchange, have decreased to their lowest level since 2015, indicating a significant movement of funds by major investors. Over a single weekend, whales transferred around 18,000 BTC, valued at nearly $1 billion, away from Coinbase. These transactions, ranging from $45 million to $171 million, have reduced Coinbase’s public order book to about 394,000 BTC, estimated at $20.5 billion.
The Positive Impact of Whale Movements
This exodus of Bitcoin from a centralized exchange is generally seen as a bullish indicator, suggesting that less Bitcoin is now available for sale on the open market. Speculations arise among the crypto community about these funds moving to custodial wallets in anticipation of a price surge, particularly with the Bitcoin halving event on the horizon, expected to create a supply shock by reducing the block reward for miners.
The Upcoming Bitcoin Halving Event
The upcoming Bitcoin halving, scheduled for April, is eagerly anticipated as it will decrease the block reward from 6.25 BTC to 3.125 BTC, further tightening the new supply of Bitcoin. This event coincides with significant institutional demand, as evidenced by the approval of 11 spot Bitcoin ETFs in January, heightening expectations for a bullish market response.