Key Takeaways
- •Bitcoin balances on centralized exchanges have fallen to an all-time low, signaling tightening supply.
- •Whale addresses holding over 10,000 BTC have more than doubled holdings since October 24.
- •Analysts warn of a potential supply shock as long-term holders continue absorbing available liquidity.
Exchange Reserves Plunge to Historic Lows
Bitcoin’s available supply on centralized exchanges has dropped to its lowest level ever recorded, according to on-chain data by CryptoQuant. The chart shows that total BTC reserves have fallen below 2.3 million BTC, continuing a sharp downtrend that began in mid-2024.
Historically, such drawdowns in exchange balances often precede bullish price reactions, as they indicate coins are moving to cold storage or long-term accumulation addresses, reducing liquid supply available for trading. "Supply shock incoming," Sen wrote, noting that Bitcoin’s price remains near $106,200 while reserves have collapsed to multi-year lows.
Whales Accelerate Accumulation Amid Market Repositioning
Parallel data from Bitcoin Archive shows that large holders, specifically wallets controlling over 10,000 BTC, have more than doubled their holdings between October 24 and November 7, 2025, adding approximately 36,019 BTC.
Bitcoin addresses holding 10,000+ BTC more than doubled their holdings between October 24th and November 7th
Smart money bought the dip 🧠 pic.twitter.com/wiY0VXkwhK
— Bitcoin Archive (@BitcoinArchive) November 10, 2025
The activity marks one of the largest whale accumulation streaks of the year and comes immediately after a period of market selling pressure. Analysts describe the move as “smart money repositioning,” with institutional players absorbing coins off the market at elevated prices rather than during deep corrections, a pattern seen before previous major uptrends.
Signals Point Toward a Tightening Supply Environment
Combined, the two datasets highlight a growing supply-side imbalance. Exchange outflows paired with whale accumulation suggest a contraction in available liquidity just as Bitcoin’s broader market stabilizes above $100,000.
CryptoQuant’s data indicates this dynamic mirrors prior “supply shock” phases in 2020 and 2023, both of which preceded major upside moves. If the current pace continues, analysts expect selling pressure to weaken further, potentially amplifying volatility in favor of buyers.
Market Context: Institutional Flows and ETF Demand
The decline in exchange balances also aligns with renewed ETF inflows and treasury purchases by listed Bitcoin firms throughout Q4 2025. Institutional custody solutions have absorbed a growing share of the total BTC supply, reducing reliance on exchange wallets and tightening market liquidity.
With spot holdings increasingly concentrated in long-term and institutional addresses, the market’s next major move could hinge on whether inflows accelerate or stall around the current psychological range.