Bitcoin Whales Resume Accumulation as BTC Stabilizes at $71K: Santiment

Highlights:

• Bitcoin whales holding 10–10,000 BTC are increasing their holdings.
• The shift in whale activity suggests a possible price rebound for Bitcoin.
• Bitcoin could climb toward $82,000 as it enters a low-resistance zone.

Large Bitcoin wallets, often referred to as whales, have returned to accumulate the cryptocurrency, fueling expectations of a price shift. This shift, according to recent data from crypto analytics firm Santiment, is a potential market recovery signal.

Bitcoin Whale Accumulation Shows Positive Reversal

According to Santiment analysts, a shift occurred among Bitcoin whales, holding between 10 and 10,000 BTC. This segment has gained a considerable market share in the last week. As a result, these Bitcoin whales currently hold over two-thirds of the total Bitcoin supply. This figure gradually increased from 68.07% to 68.17%. Furthermore, the shift to accumulation is preceded by Bitcoin holding around $71,000, following the recent volatility.

🐋 Bitcoin whales are accumulating again

Large wallets holding 10–10,000 BTC have started increasing their holdings again after the January sell-off.

According to Santiment, these investors control over two-thirds of the total BTC supply, and when whales move back to… pic.twitter.com/WaVm6f7qDX

— LiLi Storm X (@LiLiStormX) March 15, 2026

This trend toward concentration in large holders might be a reversal of a positive trend. This suggests that whales are setting the stage for a potential recovery in Bitcoin’s price. The analysts also pointed out that whale activity tends to influence the mid-term price of Bitcoin because of the large quantities they possess.

Meanwhile, Bitcoin’s exchange whale ratio has reached its highest rate in six years, signaling a key movement in the market. Historically, whales usually purchase at a low price and sell at a high price when they are dominating the market. The ratio is currently at its highest point, which is usually followed by the beginning of an uptrend.

Retail Investor Sentiment and Market Bottom

However, the influence of retail sentiment was also noted in the report. Retail investors have been optimistic, still continuing to purchase Bitcoin despite uncertainty in the market. The market could still experience fluctuations as long as retail sentiment remains high. 

The analysts believe that a confirmed market bottom would be when retail traders reduce their holdings significantly. Provided this occurs as Bitcoin whales accumulate, it would signal that Bitcoin is in a strong-hands accumulation phase.

The analysts also pointed out that the divergence between short and long-term holders is telling. The short-term investors are registering some profits, whereas long-term holders are incurring losses. Historically, these market conditions usually signify a favourable entry point for new investors.

Bitcoin Price Could Reach $82K, Analyst Predicts

Bitcoin price might be heading towards $82,000 as it enters the low-resistance region. Crypto analyst Ali Martinez recently pointed to the UTXO Realized Price Distribution (URPD), which showed minimal resistance at the $82,000 level. The metric tracks the investor cost premises, determining areas of support and resistance. Currently, Bitcoin has a couple of obstacles between the current price and the next resistance level.

Bitcoin $BTC has entered a low-resistance zone, with little standing in the way until $82,045.

Meanwhile, the key support floor sits at $66,898. pic.twitter.com/t6tWZe85vq

— Ali Charts (@alicharts) March 13, 2026

However, in case Bitcoin fails to gain momentum, it could drop to a support level around $66,898. A move to $82,000 would mark a notable 17% increase for Bitcoin, which has not been attained this year.

As of this writing, Bitcoin was exchanging hands at around $71,855, up by 1.50% over the last 24 hours. BTC has surged by more than 6% over the past 7 days as selling pressure continues to ease in the market. Despite this positive momentum, its trading volume has declined by 60% to $20 billion.