The post Who Is Selling Bitcoin In This Slow Bleed Market appeared on BitcoinEthereumNews.com. Long-term Bitcoin holders are gradually selling, creating a slow, controlled decline rather than a panic-driven drop. Bitcoin has underperformed gold and the S&P 500 recently, frustrating investors expecting a seasonal rally. Despite weak price action, declining correlation with gold enhances Bitcoin’s appeal for portfolio diversification. As Bitcoin struggles to defend the critical $100,000 support level, one question has dominated market analysis: Who, exactly, is selling? Chris Kuiper, CFA and VP of Research at Fidelity Digital Assets, says the answer is clearer than many think, and the data backs it up. Kuiper explained that despite visible buying from ETFs, corporations, and institutions, Bitcoin continues to face persistent selling pressure. In particular, the source of this pressure is long-term holders (LTHs), the group typically known as the market’s most patient cohort. According to Kuiper, one of the most revealing metrics is the percentage of Bitcoin that has remained inactive for at least one year. Historically, this metric rises in bear markets, when investors hold through losses, and drops sharply in bull markets, when these older coins finally move as holders take profits. But this cycle is different. A Slow, Controlled Bitcoin Sell-Off — Not a Panic Kuiper noted that instead of a dramatic plunge as Bitcoin hit new all-time highs, the decline in inactive supply has been gradual and consistent. He described it as a “slow bleed,” a continuous stream of long-term holders trimming positions as the market drifts sideways. This contrasts sharply with past cycles, where profit-taking came in sudden waves during euphoria. From a psychological standpoint, Kuiper said investors are simply tired. Bitcoin has underperformed gold and even the S&P 500 in recent months, frustrating many who expected a strong seasonal rally in October and November. With the year coming to a close, some long-term holders appear to be locking… The post Who Is Selling Bitcoin In This Slow Bleed Market appeared on BitcoinEthereumNews.com. Long-term Bitcoin holders are gradually selling, creating a slow, controlled decline rather than a panic-driven drop. Bitcoin has underperformed gold and the S&P 500 recently, frustrating investors expecting a seasonal rally. Despite weak price action, declining correlation with gold enhances Bitcoin’s appeal for portfolio diversification. As Bitcoin struggles to defend the critical $100,000 support level, one question has dominated market analysis: Who, exactly, is selling? Chris Kuiper, CFA and VP of Research at Fidelity Digital Assets, says the answer is clearer than many think, and the data backs it up. Kuiper explained that despite visible buying from ETFs, corporations, and institutions, Bitcoin continues to face persistent selling pressure. In particular, the source of this pressure is long-term holders (LTHs), the group typically known as the market’s most patient cohort. According to Kuiper, one of the most revealing metrics is the percentage of Bitcoin that has remained inactive for at least one year. Historically, this metric rises in bear markets, when investors hold through losses, and drops sharply in bull markets, when these older coins finally move as holders take profits. But this cycle is different. A Slow, Controlled Bitcoin Sell-Off — Not a Panic Kuiper noted that instead of a dramatic plunge as Bitcoin hit new all-time highs, the decline in inactive supply has been gradual and consistent. He described it as a “slow bleed,” a continuous stream of long-term holders trimming positions as the market drifts sideways. This contrasts sharply with past cycles, where profit-taking came in sudden waves during euphoria. From a psychological standpoint, Kuiper said investors are simply tired. Bitcoin has underperformed gold and even the S&P 500 in recent months, frustrating many who expected a strong seasonal rally in October and November. With the year coming to a close, some long-term holders appear to be locking…

Who Is Selling Bitcoin In This Slow Bleed Market

  • Long-term Bitcoin holders are gradually selling, creating a slow, controlled decline rather than a panic-driven drop.
  • Bitcoin has underperformed gold and the S&P 500 recently, frustrating investors expecting a seasonal rally.
  • Despite weak price action, declining correlation with gold enhances Bitcoin’s appeal for portfolio diversification.

As Bitcoin struggles to defend the critical $100,000 support level, one question has dominated market analysis: Who, exactly, is selling?

Chris Kuiper, CFA and VP of Research at Fidelity Digital Assets, says the answer is clearer than many think, and the data backs it up.

Kuiper explained that despite visible buying from ETFs, corporations, and institutions, Bitcoin continues to face persistent selling pressure. In particular, the source of this pressure is long-term holders (LTHs), the group typically known as the market’s most patient cohort.

According to Kuiper, one of the most revealing metrics is the percentage of Bitcoin that has remained inactive for at least one year. Historically, this metric rises in bear markets, when investors hold through losses, and drops sharply in bull markets, when these older coins finally move as holders take profits.

But this cycle is different.

A Slow, Controlled Bitcoin Sell-Off — Not a Panic

Kuiper noted that instead of a dramatic plunge as Bitcoin hit new all-time highs, the decline in inactive supply has been gradual and consistent.

He described it as a “slow bleed,” a continuous stream of long-term holders trimming positions as the market drifts sideways. This contrasts sharply with past cycles, where profit-taking came in sudden waves during euphoria.

From a psychological standpoint, Kuiper said investors are simply tired. Bitcoin has underperformed gold and even the S&P 500 in recent months, frustrating many who expected a strong seasonal rally in October and November.

With the year coming to a close, some long-term holders appear to be locking in gains for tax reasons, portfolio adjustments, or simply because the explosive rally they waited for hasn’t arrived.

Related: Why Is Crypto Down Today? $79B in LTH Selling and $869M ETF Outflows Trigger $1B Liquidations

CryptoQuant Confirms the Trend

CryptoQuant analyst Julio Moreno expanded on Kuiper’s observations. By measuring the drawdown in 1-year inactive supply, he showed that this cycle’s sell-off is actually comparable to earlier ones:

  • 2017–2018: 20 percentage-point decline
  • 2021: 10 percentage-point decline
  • 2024–2025: 10 percentage-point decline

Moreno’s chart (with an inverted scale) confirms the idea that the current cycle is following a familiar pattern, just at a slower, more distributed pace.

Bitcoin vs. Gold

In another comment, Kuiper addressed the growing disappointment surrounding Bitcoin’s recent underperformance compared to gold.

However, he argued that there’s a silver lining in the fact that Bitcoin’s correlation with gold continues to decline. This could be exactly what institutional investors are looking for. 

For an asset to improve a portfolio’s risk-adjusted returns, it must behave differently from what’s already inside it. If Bitcoin simply moved like gold with leverage, institutions would have little incentive to allocate. They could replicate the exposure by taking leveraged positions elsewhere.

Essentially, a declining correlation means Bitcoin can offer true diversification, boosting its long-term appeal.

Related: Gold’s Breakout Is the ‘Forerunner’ to DXY Collapse, Bitcoin Rally – Analyst

Yet, the divergence between Bitcoin’s strong fundamentals and its lackluster price action remains one of the defining features of this cycle.

Disclaimer: The information presented in this article is for informational and educational purposes only. The article does not constitute financial advice or advice of any kind. Coin Edition is not responsible for any losses incurred as a result of the utilization of content, products, or services mentioned. Readers are advised to exercise caution before taking any action related to the company.

Source: https://coinedition.com/who-is-selling-bitcoin-in-this-slow-bleed-market/

Market Opportunity
Belong Logo
Belong Price(LONG)
$0.00258
$0.00258$0.00258
+2.58%
USD
Belong (LONG) Live Price Chart
Disclaimer: The articles reposted on this site are sourced from public platforms and are provided for informational purposes only. They do not necessarily reflect the views of MEXC. All rights remain with the original authors. If you believe any content infringes on third-party rights, please contact service@support.mexc.com for removal. MEXC makes no guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of the content and is not responsible for any actions taken based on the information provided. The content does not constitute financial, legal, or other professional advice, nor should it be considered a recommendation or endorsement by MEXC.

You May Also Like

Ethereum unveils roadmap focusing on scaling, interoperability, and security at Japan Dev Conference

Ethereum unveils roadmap focusing on scaling, interoperability, and security at Japan Dev Conference

The post Ethereum unveils roadmap focusing on scaling, interoperability, and security at Japan Dev Conference appeared on BitcoinEthereumNews.com. Key Takeaways Ethereum’s new roadmap was presented by Vitalik Buterin at the Japan Dev Conference. Short-term priorities include Layer 1 scaling and raising gas limits to enhance transaction throughput. Vitalik Buterin presented Ethereum’s development roadmap at the Japan Dev Conference today, outlining the blockchain platform’s priorities across multiple timeframes. The short-term goals focus on scaling solutions and increasing Layer 1 gas limits to improve transaction capacity. Mid-term objectives target enhanced cross-Layer 2 interoperability and faster network responsiveness to create a more seamless user experience across different scaling solutions. The long-term vision emphasizes building a secure, simple, quantum-resistant, and formally verified minimalist Ethereum network. This approach aims to future-proof the platform against emerging technological threats while maintaining its core functionality. The roadmap presentation comes as Ethereum continues to compete with other blockchain platforms for market share in the smart contract and decentralized application space. Source: https://cryptobriefing.com/ethereum-roadmap-scaling-interoperability-security-japan/
Share
BitcoinEthereumNews2025/09/18 00:25
Secret Service’s ‘odd’ new suit policy raises eyebrows

Secret Service’s ‘odd’ new suit policy raises eyebrows

New Secret Service agents assigned to protective details are set to receive a taxpayer-funded wardrobe upgrade, according to a new CNN exclusive report.The Secret
Share
Rawstory2026/02/21 08:04
The Shift to Fractional Leadership: Agility in the 2026 Executive Suite

The Shift to Fractional Leadership: Agility in the 2026 Executive Suite

The traditional model of a permanent, full-time executive suite is undergoing a radical transformation. As we move through 2026, the concept of “Fractional Leadership
Share
Techbullion2026/02/21 08:20