Major Bitcoin Whale Offloads $3.4 Billion | Weekly Whale Watch

A major Bitcoin whale has sold more than 31,000 BTC since mid-August, according to CryptoQuant data. The address, known as “195DJ,” still holds nearly 50,000 BTC, worth about $5.4 billion at current prices.

The whale’s move coincides with Bitcoin’s drop from above $120,000 to around $108,600 today. The steady outflows began on August 18 and were executed in several batches.

OG Bitcoin Whale’s Shift Into Ethereum

According to CryptoQuant analyst JA Maartunn, the whale sent Bitcoin to Hyperliquid instead of holding stablecoins and converted it into Ethereum. This rotation stands out because the address is an old and well-known holder.

Whales typically sell into rallies and park assets in cash. A switch from Bitcoin to Ethereum suggests a different view that ETH could outperform in the short term.

OG Bitcoin Whale Holdings Chart. Source: CryptoQuant

Large sales often affect market liquidity and price stability. Bitcoin has already lost key support at $111,500, hitting lows near $107,000 last week.

Analysts note that big moves like this also influence sentiment. Seeing a long-term whale shift to Ethereum may prompt other traders to follow.

Historical Context Of Similar Whale Actions

Past cycles show similar whale behavior. In 2017 and 2021, gradual sales marked distribution phases that capped rallies. 

In 2020, some whales rotated into ETH before its DeFi boom, while Bitcoin consolidated.

This pattern suggests Bitcoin may underperform while Ethereum gains traction. However, the whale still holds almost 50,000 BTC, underlining continued conviction in Bitcoin’s long-term role.

Macro factors are amplifying the pressure. Gold has hit record highs, attracting capital as a safer hedge. Meanwhile, uncertainty over US monetary policy is keeping risk sentiment fragile.

Bitcoin’s technical charts show a golden cross signal, often read as bullish. But heavy whale selling may mute that signal for now.

End of the peak?New Bitcoin Treasury Companies:• July ’25: 21• August ’25: 15Is the hype fading, or just catching its breath?

— Maartunn

The whale’s ETH rotation reinforces caution in the short term. Bitcoin’s support around $107,000 remains fragile, while Ethereum could benefit from relative inflows.

Longer term, this is not an exit from Bitcoin but a hedge. Whales diversifying into ETH may highlight a temporary shift in momentum rather than a structural change.