PANews February 22 News, according to on-chain analysis firm CryptoQuant, the Bitcoin market is in the mid-stage of a bear market, with large Bitcoin holders dominating exchange deposit activity. Data shows that the exchange whale ratio (the proportion of the top ten depositors) has risen to 0.64, the highest level since October 2015, indicating that major holders are leading the selling activity. Meanwhile, the average single deposit amount on Bitcoin exchanges in February has increased to 1.58 BTC, the highest since June 2022, which was during the mid-phase of the previous bear market.
Despite this, CryptoQuant points out that the overall Bitcoin exchange deposit volume peaked at 60,000 BTC on February 6 and has since decreased to an average of about 23,000 BTC over seven days, suggesting a slowdown in the rapid sell-off phase. However, current exchange inflows remain higher than in previous months.
At the same time, stablecoin inflows have significantly declined. The daily net inflow of USDT dropped sharply from a high of $616 million in November 2025 to recent levels of $27 million, with a net outflow of $469 million on January 25, 2026. CryptoQuant notes that reduced or negative stablecoin inflows indicate diminishing marginal buying power in the market.
Additionally, altcoins are also facing widespread selling pressure, with the daily average deposit volume reaching approximately 49,000 transactions in 2026, up 22% from about 40,000 in Q4 2025. CryptoQuant believes that rising altcoin deposit volumes often signal weakening market confidence and may trigger greater volatility.
Overall, CryptoQuant states that selling pressure on Bitcoin is mainly concentrated among large holders, while altcoins are experiencing dispersed selling, and stablecoin outflows suggest limited market demand support. In the current bear market phase, these factors could intensify market volatility.
Disclaimer: The information on this page may come from third parties and does not represent the views or opinions of Gate. The content displayed on this page is for reference only and does not constitute any financial, investment, or legal advice. Gate does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information and shall not be liable for any losses arising from the use of this information. Virtual asset investments carry high risks and are subject to significant price volatility. You may lose all of your invested principal. Please fully understand the relevant risks and make prudent decisions based on your own financial situation and risk tolerance. For details, please refer to
Disclaimer.
Related Articles
Brandt Spotlights 'Ugly' Bitcoin Pattern - U.Today
Peter Brandt advises Bitcoin traders to remain flexible amidst conflicting technical setups: a potential bullish "horn" pattern and a bearish "flag" pattern. He criticizes the dogmatic mindset of some in the crypto community, emphasizing adaptable trading strategies over fixed opinions.
UToday4m ago
Court Reaffirms Bitcoin’s Status as Property but Limits Tort Claims in $172M Case
A United Kingdom High Court’s recent ruling has clarified the legal status of bitcoin, stating that while it is considered property, it cannot be subjected to traditional legal claims applicable to physical goods.
The $172 Million Bitcoin Dispute
In a landmark ruling, the High Court of Justice cl
Coinpedia1h ago
BTC Falls 0.72% in 15 Minutes: On-chain Large Inflows to Exchanges Amplify Decline as Long Positions Liquidate
**March 18, 2026, 18:45-19:00 (UTC)**: BTC recorded a -0.72% return rate within 15 minutes, with price fluctuating between 70,946.6 and 71,615.2 USDT, reaching an amplitude of 0.93%. Market attention increased during this period with active trading volume. Short-term selling pressure dominated the market, causing significant short-term volatility.
The primary driver of this price movement was the concentration of large on-chain BTC inflows into mainstream exchanges. Two large transfers totaling 2,150 BTC were detected flowing into exchanges during the 18:45-19:00 period, and
GateNews1h ago
