Bitcoin whale and retail 'major divergence' is a warning sign: Santiment
08.11.2025
16150
Santiment said Bitcoin's retail-whale divide is a flashing warning sign, while other analysts anticipate new highs on a macro rebound.
Bitcoin whale and retail 'major divergence' is a warning sign: Santiment
🚨 ALERT: Bitcoin retail investors are going full degen mode buying the dip while whales are dumping their bags — and Santiment says this split could spell trouble for BTC's price if history repeats.
Santiment dropped the truth bomb in their Saturday report: 'Historically, prices tend to follow the direction of the whales, not retail.' Translation: when the big players exit, retail FOMO might not be enough to keep the ship afloat.
Here's the tea: Since October 12, Bitcoin whales (wallets holding 10-10,000 BTC) have sold approximately 32,500 Bitcoin. Meanwhile, small retail wallets have been aggressively buying the dip like there's no tomorrow.
Bitcoin's split among the cohorts is a 'cautionary signal,' says Santiment
During this whale exodus, Bitcoin tanked from $115,000 to $98,000 on November 4 — a brutal 15% haircut according to CoinMarketCap. BTC has since clawed back to $103,780 at publication time, but the damage is done.
'A divergence where whales are selling while retail is buying can be a cautionary signal.'
Meanwhile, the analyst community is split on what's next:
- • Bitfinex analysts expect near-term consolidation and volatility rather than 'a clear sprint to new highs'
- • They blame ETF inflows pushing price to $125K in October before macro shocks, options expiry, and profit-taking knocked it back
- • Spot Bitcoin ETFs just broke a six-day outflow streak that saw $2.04 billion exit (per Farside data)
Bitcoin has a chance of climbing to $130,000 if conditions improve: Analysts
Bitfinex crew says if spot Bitcoin ETF inflows return to delivering above $1 billion per week AND macro conditions improve, BTC could potentially moon toward $130,000.
But Nansen senior research analyst Jake Kennis brings the reality check: 'Although Bitcoin has historically posted year-over-year gains, the recent liquidation and breakdown in market structure make it far less probable in the near term.'
Still, Kennis leaves the door open: 'That said, there's still room for meaningful upside into year-end. New all-time highs are still possible for Bitcoin this year if momentum does shift decisively.'
Bottom line: Whales vs retail is the ultimate crypto showdown — and history says bet on the whales. But in this market, anything can happen. 🤷♂️
#Cryptomarket analysis#Bitcoin ETF#Crypto whales#Bear Market#Retail Investors
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