Large Bitcoin Transaction Flows on Binance Reach 2018 Levels
Date: 2025-12-16 Author: Henry Casey Categories: BUSINESS
CryptoQuant analysts have recorded a sharp decline in the volume of large Bitcoin transactions coming to the Binance exchange. These are transfers over 1 BTC, traditionally seen as an indicator of activity by so-called whales and large holders. According to experts, the average annual volume of such transactions has dropped to approximately 6,500 BTC—a level the market last saw back in 2018.
When looking at a shorter timeframe, the picture is even more telling. The average weekly volume of large transactions has fallen to 5,200 BTC, one of the lowest levels of the entire current market cycle. CryptoQuant emphasizes that this trend is markedly different from investor behavior in previous years.
In previous cycles, Bitcoin's price growth was typically accompanied by increased activity among holders of whole coins and larger holdings. However, the current scenario is unfolding differently: despite the strengthening of the BTC price, the inflow of large sums to Binance continues to decline. This indicates that large holders are reluctant to move assets to the exchange for sale or active trading.
Experts believe that the decline in the volume of such transfers may indicate a weakening of selling pressure. Large holders are likely preferring to hold their positions rather than take profits. Another factor may be the rising price of Bitcoin, which makes purchasing a whole coin less accessible for some investors, thereby reducing the number of transactions over 1 BTC.
At the same time, CryptoQuant analysts note that changes in fund flows cannot be explained solely by the behavior of certain categories of market participants. The crypto industry has evolved significantly in recent years, offering users more alternatives for managing digital assets. The number of centralized exchanges has increased significantly, and the DeFi ecosystem has provided new opportunities for trading, storing, and managing Bitcoin without the need for large trading platforms.
Furthermore, high-liquidity services have emerged on the market, partially redistributing trading volumes and reducing the concentration of flows on individual exchanges. As a result, Binance, despite its status as one of the largest players, is no longer the sole hub for large transactions.
CryptoQuant believes that the combination of these factors is creating a more distributed market structure, in which Bitcoin's movement is becoming less dependent on individual platforms and large participants. This may indicate a gradual maturation of the ecosystem and a shift in investor approaches to managing their assets.
