Bitcoin News Update: In 2025, Broader Economic Trends, Not Large Investors, Are Shaping Bitcoin's Price Movements

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whale recently acquired 3,195 BTC—worth approximately $356.6 million—within a span of less than three hours, reigniting discussions about the impact of major holders on market behavior. Despite the attention these transactions attract, analysts maintain that they seldom determine the overall market direction. Instead, broader economic trends, liquidity on exchanges, and institutional capital flows have become the primary forces shaping Bitcoin’s price movements in 2025, according to .

This accumulation mirrors trends seen in previous cycles, where large holders are more likely to sell during strong uptrends rather than initiate them. Historical analysis reveals that whales often reduce their positions when retail investors are buying aggressively, which tends to moderate price surges rather than accelerate them, the article highlighted. This pattern was apparent in early 2025, as Bitcoin surpassed $120,000 amid robust ETF inflows and widespread buying. The largest holders took profits at the edges, while short-term price changes were more closely linked to ETF activity and liquidity shifts than to the moves of individual wallets, the report added.

Since their introduction in January 2024, spot ETFs have become a key daily indicator. Persistent weekly inflows have been associated with new record highs, while outflows have coincided with market pullbacks. Traders can now track US ETF trends in real time through a live flow dashboard, underscoring the growing role of institutions in the market, the report noted.

Liquidity on exchanges has also tightened, with centralized holdings dropping to 2.83 million BTC—the lowest level in six years. With less liquidity available, routine buying or selling now has a greater effect on order books, increasing price swings for all market participants, the article explained.

Short-term volatility is now more influenced by traders’ positions and leverage. Recent figures indicate that 97% of Bitcoin’s circulating supply is currently profitable, and open interest is recovering after a previous downturn. Shifts in funding rates and leverage often serve as early signals, with the market’s direction changing quickly in crowded conditions, the analysis pointed out.

Ultimately, macroeconomic forces continue to steer the overall crypto market. Movements in the US dollar, interest rates, and global risk sentiment remain closely aligned with Bitcoin’s daily price action. For instance, a prominent "OG" whale recently sold thousands of

to acquire nearly $4 billion worth of Ether, reflecting a significant change in investment strategy, the article stated.