Institutional Bitcoin Buying Soars as Supply Dwindles and Price Hits Records

Institutional giants are ramping up their Bitcoin bets, supply on exchanges is vanishing, and bold predictions are setting the stage for a potential $50 trillion market cap. As Bitcoin eyes the $100,000 mark and altcoins gain momentum, the latest data reveals a market in the midst of a historic supply crunch and unprecedented accumulation. Dive into the key developments driving crypto’s next explosive chapter.

Michael Saylor Hints at New Bitcoin Purchase as Institutional Whales Accumulate

Michael Saylor, co-founder of Strategy, has hinted at another imminent Bitcoin investment, just a week after the company acquired $555 million worth of Bitcoin at an average price of $84,785 per coin. Saylor’s cryptic message, “Stay Humble. Stack Sats,” has fueled speculation among investors, with blockchain analyst RunnerXBT suggesting the next purchase could be in the $1.4-1.6 billion range—potentially three times larger than the previous acquisition.

Strategy remains the world’s largest corporate Bitcoin holder, with over 538,200 BTC valued at more than $50.5 billion, according to Bitbo. The company’s aggressive investment strategy has inspired other firms, such as Japan’s Metaplanet, which recently surpassed 5,000 BTC in holdings. Meanwhile, whale wallets holding at least $1 million in Bitcoin have increased from 124,000 on April 7 to over 137,600 by April 26, as per Glassnode data. This accumulation has contributed to Bitcoin’s recovery above $94,000.

Strategy’s latest purchase: $555 million at $84,785 per BTC
Current holdings: 538,200 BTC ($50.5 billion+)
Whale wallets: 124,000 (April 7) → 137,600 (April 26)
US spot Bitcoin ETFs: $3 billion net inflows in the past week

Summary: Strategy and other institutional investors are driving aggressive Bitcoin accumulation, with ETF inflows and whale activity supporting a strong price recovery. (Source: TradingView)

Bitcoin Supply on Exchanges Hits Lowest Level Since 2018

The supply of Bitcoin on centralized exchanges has dropped to its lowest point since 2019, with only about 2.5 million BTC remaining as of late April 2025—a decrease of 500,000 coins since the end of 2024, according to CryptoQuant data. This trend reflects a shift toward self-custody, as more investors move their BTC into private wallets, signaling long-term holding behavior.

Institutional demand is a key driver, with firms like Fidelity recently acquiring $253 million in Bitcoin, further reducing exchange reserves. Publicly traded companies, led by Strategy, have withdrawn over 425,000 BTC from exchanges since November 2024, and nearly 350,000 BTC have been acquired by listed firms. A recent Coinbase survey indicates that over 75% of institutional investors plan to increase their digital asset allocations in 2025.

Metric	Value
BTC on exchanges (late April 2025)	2.5 million
BTC on exchanges (end of 2024)	3.0 million
BTC withdrawn by public companies (since Nov 2024)	425,000
BTC acquired by listed firms	350,000
Fidelity’s recent BTC purchase	$253 million

“We have never seen this before. We have never had a global Bitcoin supply crunch. Bullish.” — Dennis Porter

Summary: Bitcoin’s shrinking exchange supply, driven by institutional accumulation and self-custody, is seen as a bullish indicator and could lead to increased price volatility if demand surges. (Source: CryptoSlate)

Bitwise CEO Predicts $50 Trillion Market Cap for Bitcoin

Bitwise CEO Hunter Horsley has made a bold prediction, suggesting that Bitcoin could reach a $50 trillion market capitalization if it fully assumes the role of a digital alternative to the US dollar. Horsley argues that Bitcoin’s potential extends beyond being “digital gold,” which would cap its market at around $23 trillion, to rivaling global instruments like US Treasuries and the dollar, which together represent a $50 trillion market.

Bitwise’s flagship Bitcoin ETF (BITB) currently holds over 39,000 BTC, valued at approximately $3.67 billion. Horsley’s outlook aligns with recent market trends, as Bitcoin’s price has become increasingly correlated with global M2 liquidity, indicating its integration into mainstream financial systems.

Bitwise BITB holdings: 39,000 BTC ($3.67 billion)
Potential market cap as “digital gold”: $23 trillion
Potential market cap as digital dollar alternative: $50 trillion

Summary: Bitwise’s CEO envisions Bitcoin as a contender for a $50 trillion market, reflecting its growing role in global finance and its correlation with macroeconomic trends. (Source: Investing.com)

Bitcoin Price Chart Eyes $100,000 as Altcoins Show Strength

Bitcoin has recorded a 10% gain over the past week, with technical indicators remaining bullish. The price has reached the overhead resistance at $95,000, and analysts expect a potential 40% increase by year-end. According to Farside Investors, US spot Bitcoin ETFs saw inflows of $3.06 billion, supporting the recent price surge.

Sina’s Bitcoin Quantile Model projects a price range of $130,000 to $163,000 before the end of 2025, while analyst apsk32 targets over $200,000 for Q4 2025. The 20-day exponential moving average (EMA) stands at $88,619, and a close above $95,000 could propel Bitcoin to $100,000 and eventually $107,000. Sellers are expected to defend the $107,000–$109,588 zone.

Price Level	Significance
$95,000	Current resistance
$100,000	Next target if resistance breaks
$107,000–$109,588	Major resistance zone
$88,619	20-day EMA (support)

Bitcoin: 10% weekly gain, bullish technicals
ETF inflows: $3.06 billion
Analyst targets: $130,000–$163,000 (Sina), $200,000+ (apsk32)

Summary: Bitcoin’s strong technical setup and ETF inflows support bullish price targets, with analysts projecting significant upside potential for both Bitcoin and select altcoins. (Source: Cointelegraph)

Einschätzung der Redaktion

The current wave of institutional Bitcoin accumulation, led by high-profile figures and major corporations, signals a profound shift in market dynamics. Such aggressive buying activity, combined with record-low exchange reserves, is likely to intensify supply constraints and could amplify both price appreciation and volatility. The willingness of institutions to allocate billions, alongside bullish ETF inflows, demonstrates growing confidence in Bitcoin’s long-term value proposition and its integration into mainstream finance. If these trends persist, the market may experience accelerated price discovery, with the potential for new all-time highs and increased attention from both retail and institutional participants. However, the concentration of holdings among large entities also raises questions about market resilience and the potential impact of sudden shifts in institutional sentiment.

Institutional accumulation is driving supply scarcity and price momentum.
Record-low exchange reserves may lead to heightened volatility.
Growing mainstream adoption could reinforce Bitcoin’s role as a macro asset.
Market concentration among large holders introduces new systemic risks.

Key Takeaway: The institutional-led Bitcoin accumulation trend is reshaping the market landscape, supporting bullish price outlooks but also introducing new structural risks that warrant close monitoring.

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