Bitcoin miners sell over 10,000 BTC in a single day; reserves hit yearly low

Bitcoin miners have registered a significant drop in their reserves, selling more than 10,000 BTC in a single day on January 17th. This marks the largest daily decline in miner reserves in over a year, according to data from on-chain analytics provider CryptoQuant. The decline amounts to approximately $450 million at current Bitcoin prices.

The data indicates that Bitcoin miner reserves have been at their lowest levels since July 2021, at 1.83 million coins. Despite this decline, these reserves are still substantial, valued at approximately $78 billion. Over the past 12 months, BTC miner reserves have decreased by 22,800 BTC. However, the total reserve figure has been relatively stable since early 2021.

Phases of accumulation and selling

Bitcoin miners typically go through phases of accumulation and selling based on the cryptocurrency’s price and profitability. A 2023 Bitfinex report highlights that miners started accumulating Bitcoin around mid-2023 when prices and profitability were lower. 

However, as prices and profitability increased, miners shifted their focus to selling, especially in recent months. This shift is often seen as a way to replenish cash flow or capitalize on higher prices during a rally.

Bitcoin price and miner behavior

The price of Bitcoin has remained within the range of $42,000 to $43,000 in recent days. This stability in the price range aligns with the historical behavior of miners selling their coins. They take advantage of price peaks to maximize profits or cover operational costs.

On January 15th, the Bitcoin Miners’ Position Index (MPI) began to tick up, signaling that potential selling activities were on the horizon, according to CryptoQuant. The MPI is calculated as the ratio of total miner outflow to its one-year moving average of total miner outflow. It provides valuable insights into the intentions of miners and their market behavior.

Market impact and investor sentiment

The significant sell-off by Bitcoin miners could potentially impact market dynamics and investor sentiment. As miners hold a substantial portion of the total Bitcoin supply, their actions can influence the overall supply and demand dynamics, affecting prices.
Investors and cryptocurrency market traders will closely monitor the situation, as sudden increases in selling pressure can lead to price volatility. The recent decline in miner reserves raises questions about their outlook on Bitcoin’s short- and medium-term price.