According to Cointelegraph, on-chain data from Glassnode shows that in the first quarter of 2026, "sharks" holding 100–1,000 BTC and "whales" holding 1,000–10,000 BTC incurred daily realized losses of approximately $188.5 million and $147.5 million, respectively, totaling around $337 million. Year-to-date, the cumulative realized losses have reached $30.9 billion, nearing levels seen during the 2022 bear market. Analysis indicates that current selling pressure stems from rising macro risks—including inflation expectations and AI-related trading congestion—as well as weakening market sentiment, prompting large holders to accelerate stop-loss exits. Meanwhile, daily realized losses for long-term holders (LTHs) remain elevated at approximately $200 million, suggesting the market has not yet shown clear signs of selling exhaustion. Institutions believe that, amid multiple pressures, Bitcoin still faces further downside risk, with some forecasting a potential bottom range between $40,000 and $50,000.
Bitcoin whales and sharks realize $309 billion in losses in Q1 2026
TechFlowShare
Summary
Bitcoin whales and sharks incurred $309 billion in realized losses during Q1 2026, according to Glassnode data. Holders with 100–1,000 BTC lost an average of $188.5 million per day, while those with 1,000–10,000 BTC averaged $147.5 million in daily losses. Total daily realized losses amounted to $337 million, with long-term holders still losing $200 million per day. Analysts attribute the sell-off to macroeconomic risks and weakened confidence, urging traders to monitor key support and resistance levels. Institutions warn of further downside potential, with some recommending a stop-loss strategy below $50,000.
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