Market

Bitcoin Price Prediction: Whale Sell-Off Sparks Market Panic

A wave of panic has struck the crypto market as long-term Bitcoin holders, often called “OG whales”, offloaded over $41.6B worth of BTC.
Bitcoin Price Prediction Decline

Key Takeaways

  • $41.6B in Bitcoin sold by long-term holders triggers market panic.

  • Mining profitability collapse and AI-trade concerns worsen selling pressure.

  • Key support levels near $100K could determine whether BTC falls to $70K.

  • Regulatory uncertainty remains a major bearish factor.

  • Despite short-term fear, long-term Bitcoin price prediction models remain optimistic.

 

Bitcoin Price Decline Accelerates

Long-term holders are historically considered the most resilient investors in the Bitcoin ecosystem. However, the latest data shows they have joined the selling frenzy.

Crypto wallets holding BTC for over three years liquidated $41.6 billion, marking one of the most significant outflows in Bitcoin’s history.

Bitcoin Price Prediction

Source: BeInCrypto

Long-Term Holders Exit

The sell-off has intensified as Bitcoin dropped over 20% from its all-time high above $126,000 in October. “Ancient” wallets, those untouched for nearly a decade, were among the biggest sellers, unloading more than $1 billion worth of BTC.

This exodus signals deep market stress. Over $1.3 billion in leveraged positions were liquidated in just 24 hours, according to Coinglass, underscoring the scale of the ongoing deleveraging.

Contrarian Buyers Emerge Amid Fear

Not everyone is running for the exits. Some contrarian investors have taken the sell-off as a buying opportunity.

High-profile trader Andrew Tate reportedly purchased 50 BTC for $5 million, with BTC Treasuries’ Pete Rizzo noting, “Andrew Tate just bought the dip.”

Andrew Tate Bitcoin

Source: X (@pete_rizzo)

Still, sentiment across the broader market remains cautious as volatility spikes and technical indicators flash warning signs.

Mining Sector Faces Profitability Crisis

Energy Costs Crush Margins

Bitcoin miners are facing a severe profitability crisis.

Following a $7,000 price drop, from $107,000 to $100,000, mining rewards have fallen to their lowest levels since April. According to Digiconomist, electricity now accounts for 40–60% of total mining costs.

The combination of elevated network difficulty, reduced transaction fees, and weaker price momentum has led to tightened margins.

Miners Forced To Sell Holdings

In response, mining firms have begun liquidating their BTC reserves. On-chain data shows that miners sold over $172 million worth of Bitcoin in the past week alone.

These sales have added further selling pressure, exacerbating Bitcoin’s fragile market structure.

Regulatory & Technical Headwinds Mount

Political & Regulatory Uncertainty

Adding to the chaos is a wave of macroeconomic and political uncertainty. The U.S. government shutdown, the longest in history, has created a volatile policy environment.

Meanwhile, new digital asset regulations remain unclear, leaving institutional investors hesitant to re-enter the market.

A veteran crypto analyst admitted this week that they were “wrong once in five years,” having previously predicted Bitcoin would test resistance at $114,300 before rebounding. Instead, BTC reversed sharply, catching many off guard.

Bitcoin OG Whale Selloff

Source: X (@PeeCowYay)

Key Technical Support Levels To Watch

Technical analysts are closely monitoring the $100,000–$101,000 support range. A sustained break below this zone could expose Bitcoin to further declines toward $94,000.


If bearish momentum persists, some experts foresee a potential retracement to $85,000, or even a worst-case dip to the $70,000–$75,000 region.

Analyst Tyler Richey from Sevens Report and 10X Research both highlight this level as a critical test for Bitcoin’s medium-term trajectory. Veteran trader Peter Brandt assigns a 25% probability to a drop to $70K, citing weakening market structure and persistent regulatory uncertainty.

Bitcoin Price Prediction: Short-Term Pain, Long-Term Opportunity?

Despite the current sell-off, several analysts maintain that the long-term Bitcoin price prediction remains bullish. Historical cycles show that major whale sell-offs often precede periods of accumulation and eventual recovery.

If Bitcoin can reclaim the $105,000–$110,000 range and maintain miner confidence, it could stabilize before resuming an upward trajectory in early 2026.

However, failure to hold key support zones could open the door to a painful retracement near $70K before the next rebound.

FAQ

Why did Bitcoin whales sell $41 billion worth of BTC?

Profit-taking after record highs, combined with falling mining profitability and rising macro uncertainty, triggered large-scale liquidations.

Could Bitcoin really fall to $70,000?

Yes. Several analysts consider $70K a plausible downside target if the $100K support fails. However, many expect strong buying interest at that level.

Is now a good time to buy Bitcoin?

Conservative investors may wait for confirmation of a bottom, while long-term believers might see current prices as a discount before the next rally.

How does mining profitability affect Bitcoin price?

When mining becomes unprofitable, miners often sell their BTC reserves to cover costs, adding downward pressure on the market.

BitcoinCryptoMarketPrice Prediction

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Haider Jamal

Content Strategist

Haider is a fintech enthusiast and Content Strategist at CryptoWeekly with over four years in the Crypto & Blockchain industry. He began his writing journey with a blog after graduating from Monash University Malaysia. Passionate about storytelling and content creation, he blends creativity with insight. Haider is driven to grow professionally while always seeking the next big idea.

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