Bitcoin Whale Inflows Rise Sharply as Price Nears $120K Threshold

• Whale inflows surged $17B in four days, signaling rising sell-side pressure.
• Current inflows mirror past market tops that preceded BTC corrections.
• Daily whale deposits are cooling, but inflow levels remain historically elevated.

An increase in Bitcoin whale inflows to centralized exchanges is drawing attention from market watchers as the cryptocurrency approaches a key resistance near $120,000. On-chain data from CryptoQuant shows that large BTC holders have ramped up exchange deposits over the past week, raising the possibility of rising sell-side pressure or potential profit-taking as the market tests new highs.

Between July 14 and July 18, the 30-day average of whale inflows jumped from $28 billion to $45 billion—a $17 billion increase in just four days. This marks the highest monthly average recorded since Q1 2024 and comes amid renewed price strength in Bitcoin. The cryptocurrency has risen from below $70,000 in late May to over $115,000 by mid-July.

Surge Mirrors Historical Tops

Historical patterns show that similar whale activity has often preceded market corrections. During the last two major BTC peaks in April 2024 and January 2025, whale inflows to exchanges exceeded $75 billion, coinciding with the start of broad consolidation periods. The current trend, while not yet at those levels, appears to be following a similar trajectory.

The recent spike also aligns with a movement involving 80,000 BTC, which likely contributed to the surge in total exchange flows. Although the identity of the sending parties remains unconfirmed, the transaction size points to institutional-scale or large individual holders repositioning funds during a bullish phase.

Short-Term Daily Inflows Start to Cool

While monthly averages show a large rise, daily exchange inflows appear to have begun tapering. CryptoQuant’s data shows a clear decline in daily inflows after the recent peak, signaling a potential slowdown in whale transfer activity. Still, the daily volume remains elevated compared to recent months, suggesting that large entities remain active on exchanges.

If the tapering trend continues, it may reduce immediate downward pressure on Bitcoin’s price. However, analysts caution that inflow metrics should be monitored closely, as sustained increases from whales can quickly shift market structure and trigger volatility.

Price Holds Steady Despite Inflows

To date, the inflow surge has not disturbed Bitcoin’s price action. The asset is still in a definite uptrend with solid demand and momentum. An overlay trendline of BTC price on CryptoQuant charts indicates a steady increase and few pullbacks as whale inflows to them gain.

Nevertheless, as inflows are already fast-nudged towards levels that at earlier points had indicated market peaks, analysts are closely focusing on indications of a change. A whale inflow trend increase or a return to April 2024 levels can suggest an upcoming distribution period, or we have already entered a short-term correction as BTC approaches psychological/technical resistance at 120,000.