Bitcoin Slump Continues, But Institutions Are Buying Billions

Jimmy Aki
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Bitcoin’s price remains under pressure, but a key group of investors is sending a different signal. According to data from the analytics firm CryptoQuant, large institutional players are actively accumulating Bitcoin, amassing a holding worth approximately $53 billion. Bitcoin is currently down 2%, trading at $90,962, having fallen from $93,358.

ETFs and Long-Term Conviction Fuel Institutional Demand

On January 19, CryptoQuant’s head of research, Ki Young Ju, highlighted this trend. He noted that U.S. institutional wallets, particularly those holding between 100 and 1,000 BTC, have added 577,000 Bitcoin in the past month alone. This significant accumulation has held steady despite recent market volatility, pointing to strong institutional conviction.

As Ki further explained, this classification of wallets includes major investment vehicles such as exchange-traded funds (ETFs), which offer exposure to investors looking to participate in the crypto market without directly holding units of the asset.

ETFs grew rapidly in 2025, in line with the Trump administration’s pro-crypto stance. And as these investment products have continued to grow in popularity, so has the investors’ appetite for Bitcoin in particular.

Additional data from CryptoQuant shows that the level of institutional Bitcoin holding has surged by 33% in the past year, coinciding with the launch and growing adoption of spot Bitcoin ETFs.

A continuation of this trend doesn’t seem to be too far-fetched, considering that many within the industry see the potential for an expansion of exchange-traded products such as ETFs in 2026,

Institutions Hold the Line as Retail Sentiment Weakens

Institutional demand has long been a crucial pillar for crypto markets.

The 2020 bull run, for instance, was widely attributed to large-scale corporate purchases from companies like Tesla and Strategy. While some firms have adjusted their portfolios, others have deepened their commitment.

While some firms have adjusted their portfolios, others have deepened their commitments.

Strategy, now the largest corporate holder, exemplifies this forward-thinking approach. The company currently holds 687,410 BTC, valued at roughly $62.5 billion. Its success has inspired other companies, both local and across the Atlantic, to follow.

According to a report by Glassnode, Bitcoin treasuries held by both private and public companies have increased their holdings by 260,000 BTC (about $23.6 billion) in the past six months alone.

In many ways, this sustained demand from large holders appears to be what continues to prop up the crypto market, especially as retail traders show signs of weakness in their buying action due to Bitcoin’s recent price struggles.

The Fear & Greed Index, which measures retail market sentiment, slipped back into strong “fear’ territory this week, showing that retail traders are still hesitant when dealing with crypto. Nevertheless, as institutions continue to hold the line, hope for a market rally this year remains alive.

About Jimmy Aki PRO INVESTOR

Based in the UK, Jimmy is an economic researcher with outstanding hands-on and heads-on experience in Macroeconomic finance analysis, forecasting and planning. He has honed his skills having worked cross-continental as a finance analyst, which gives him inter-cultural experience. He currently has a strong passion for regulation and macroeconomic trends as it allows him peek under the global bonnet to see how the world works.