Edited By
Laura Chen

Bitcoin's sell pressure is showing signs of easing as deposit levels on centralized exchanges fall. Recent data reveal a decline in average deposits from 60,000 BTC to just 23,000 BTC. Yet, major investors, known as whales, persist in their offloading behaviors, raising questions about the market's future.
In February 2026, the crypto landscape appears to teeter as large stakeholders dominate exchange inflows. A striking 64% of these inflows come from the top 10 depositors. This situation has sparked confusion among people in the community, who question the motives behind the whales' continued selling despite dropping prices.
"Yeah, we can tell they are still selling since the price isn't really moving up,โ one commenter noted, capturing the prevailing sentiment.
Interestingly, some are urging debtors to ease off selling to let the market stabilize.
Commenters have expressed a mix of confusion and frustration regarding the actions of these whales. One user asked, "Why would whales dump now instead of when BTC was at $120k?" This reflects growing skepticism about whether these sell-offs indicate a lack of faith in Bitcoinโs future or if they're simply strategic moves to shift assets at opportune moments.
Despite a current price drop to $67,582, CryptoQuant predicts a potential bear market bottom at around $55,000. The limited reserves of stablecoins may hinder any swift recovery, positioning this trend as crucial to the market's next steps.
Easing Sell Pressure: Average BTC deposits on exchanges have decreased significantly.
Whale Activity Dominates: 64% of inflows are sourced from top depositors, suggesting heavy sell activity.
Price Predictions: With prices now at $67,582, a potential downturn to around $55,000 looms.
As discussions continue, the community remains divided on the implications of these shifts, but the urgency for stability in Bitcoin remains clear. What direction will the market take next? Only time will tell.
Thereโs a solid chance that Bitcoin could test the $55,000 mark in the coming weeks, driven by ongoing whale activity. With limited stablecoin reserves, recovery may hinge on broader market sentiment. Experts estimate around a 70% probability that weโll see further selling pressure if whales persist with their offloading strategies, potentially upsetting the delicate balance among smaller investors. If prices stabilize above $67,000, this may encourage a more bullish outlook, but uncertainty looms large in light of current data.
In retrospect, the dynamics surrounding Bitcoinโs current situation draw an intriguing parallel to the fishing industryโs years-long battle against overfishing. Much like whales offloading BTC at strategic moments, fishermen often exploit peak seasons, disregarding long-term sustainability for immediate profit. This led to regulatory changes, echoes of which are now heard in calls for more stabilizing measures in crypto markets. Both scenarios underscore the tension between immediate gains and sustainable growthโhighlighting the critical choices facing the Bitcoin community today.