The structure of long-term BTC holdings is seeing its largest divergence in 10 years: the share of exchange “whales” exceeds 60%. In the first quarter of 2026, the Bitcoin market appears outwardly calm—price continues to stay below 70,000 dollars, and the Fear and Greed Index has been in the “extreme fear” zone for an extended period. However, the data beneath the surface point to profound structural changes. According to an SEC disclosure, Strategy (, formerly MicroStrategy ), increased its holdings by more than 88,000 BTC in the first quarter, and its total portfolio already stands at about 762,000 coins; the average acquisition price is approximately 75,696 dollars. At the same time, the “whale” coefficient on exchanges rose to above 60%, setting a decade-high, while retail investor participation fell to the lowest level over the same period.



On-chain data provide a clearer picture. The share of short-term holders—especially the group with a holding period of one week to one month—has fallen to 3.98%. Looking back at previous cycles, when this metric dropped below 4%, the market was typically near the bottom or directly in the bottom zone. Long-term holders control a larger portion of the supply, intraday trading is declining, and speculative demand is weakening—suggesting the market is shifting from high-frequency “trading games” to structural accumulation.

The essence of this divergence is a systematic transfer of биткоин liquidity from retail to institutions. биткоин does not disappear—it undergoes a structural change of ownership: the rise in the exchange “whale” ratio indicates that the original large crypto holders are selling; at the same time, publicly traded companies led by Strategy increased their net position by approximately 62,000 BTC during the same period. While individual investors are exiting the asset, institutions continue to buy at a steady pace—the ownership structure of биткоин is being rewritten.
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Escalation in the Iran–U.S. Conflict: Spot price of Brent crude oil exceeds $140 — a double test for the crypto industry: inflation and flight to quality

Summary

On April 3, 2026, the U.S. and its allies carried out bombing strikes on key Iranian infrastructure, which led to retaliatory actions by Iranian military forces and attacks on relevant facilities. As a result, global oil prices surged sharply. The rise in energy prices strengthened inflation expectations in different countries, creating pressure on crypto assets and other risky assets, while digital infrastructure faced even greater vulnerabilities. The cost of mining Bitcoin increased, and changes in the market’s demand for safe-haven assets are worth noting.

On April 3, 2026, the U.S. and Israel struck the Iranian city of Karadja on the Bayk Highway, targeting the Beik Bridge, which is a landmark transportation infrastructure in Iran. After that, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps of Iran immediately launched a military response, “Round 90 of the True Promise,” striking U.S.-linked metallurgical industry targets and announcing an expansion of the circle of targets. Brent crude for near-term delivery surpassed $140 per barrel, setting the highest level since 2008; the WTI oil futures price rose above $110 for the first time since 2022. An agreement on passage through the Strait of Hormuz is being prepared, and the global energy market—as well as the digital-asset industry—faces double structural pressure, both on the cost line and on the flight-to-safety line.
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