Svmuu reports that the position size of Bitcoin long-term holders continues to rise, currently increasing to approximately 16.3 million BTC, nearing historic highs and significantly breaking the downtrend that had persisted for about 2.5 years.
Bitcoin long-term holders are typically defined as investors holding coins for over 155 days. Since Bitcoin hit an all-time high of around $126,000 in October 2025, their holdings have increased from approximately 14.12 million BTC to the current level, adding about 200,000 BTC in the past month alone.
Historically, this metric only approached a higher level (approximately 16.4 million BTC) in January 2024, just before the launch of Bitcoin spot ETFs in the United States. Subsequently, as the market rallied, long-term holders reduced their positions by a cumulative total of about 2 million BTC over several months.
Analysis indicates that during typical bear markets or price correction phases, long-term holders usually re-enter an accumulation cycle. Current data suggests this group has shifted from distribution back to sustained accumulation, implying that 'smart money' is flowing back into the market during periods of Bitcoin price pressure. (CoinDesk)