Bitcoin whale wallets reach record high as long‑term holder count surges

XWIN Research Japan reported that Bitcoin now has 15.8 million long‑term holders, a record reached even as the cryptocurrency fell about 9 % since early May, trading near $74,000. Long‑term holders—addresses holding Bitcoin for over 155 days—signal strong market conviction but also point to a demand shortfall, according to the analysts.

In a separate analysis, BeInCrypto noted that whale wallets holding 1,000 BTC or more climbed to 1,282, the highest level for 2026, while exchange reserves dropped and Bitcoin spot ETFs recorded $2.3 billion of net outflows in May. The Fear and Greed Index fell to 23, indicating market fear. During this period, the Pepeto token presale raised over $10 million, with a Binance listing expected soon.

Both reports suggest that institutional and large‑scale investors are accumulating Bitcoin even as retail participants retreat, shaping the market dynamics for the remainder of 2026.