Published & Updated: February 12, 2026 | Tapbit On-Chain & Institutional Flows Desk
Last week (Feb 5–11, 2026), Bitcoin addresses holding 1,000–10,000 BTC accumulated approximately 53,000 BTC — valued at roughly $3.65 billion at average prices around $68,900–$69,000 — marking the strongest weekly net inflow to this cohort since late 2023, according to Glassnode and CryptoQuant cohort analytics.
The buying occurred while U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded $680 million in net outflows over the same seven-day window, creating one of the clearest examples of “smart money vs institutional tourists” divergence seen in the 2024–2026 cycle. This article breaks down the on-chain evidence, compares whale behavior with ETF flows, places the move in the current technical context, evaluates bull/bear scenarios for the rest of February 2026, and shows how Tapbit traders can act on the signal using zero-fee spot, perpetuals, Earn yields and P2P ramps.
Whale Accumulation Breakdown – Glassnode & CryptoQuant Data
Key observations from the Feb 5–11 period:
- Net inflow to 1,000–10,000 BTC cohort: +53,000 BTC (largest weekly buy since Nov/Dec 2023)
- Exchange balances: Net outflow of –18,000 to –22,000 BTC from centralized exchanges → reinforces off-exchange accumulation narrative
- OTC footprint: Significant volume executed via OTC desks (FalconX, Cumberland, Genesis clusters visible on-chain), minimizing immediate price impact
- Price range during accumulation: $66,800–$70,200 → classic consolidation after the $60K capitulation zone held
- Lookonchain / Arkham visibility: Multiple newly-identified whale addresses moved BTC from Binance/Coinbase to cold storage; several linked to institutional treasury or family-office mandates
Cumulative net buying by this cohort since mid-December 2025 now exceeds **140,000 BTC** (~$9.5–10B), absorbing supply during a period when retail addresses (<1 BTC) were net sellers or dormant and short-term speculators faced heavy forced liquidations.
Whales vs Spot Bitcoin ETFs – The Clear Divergence
| Investor Type | Feb 5–11 Activity | Estimated Value | Sentiment / Motivation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whales (1K–10K BTC) | +53,000 BTC net inflow | ~$3.65 billion | Long-term conviction; $60K viewed as generational entry |
| Spot Bitcoin ETFs | –$680 million net outflows | ~$680 million redeemed | De-risking below $75K average entry; TradFi macro sensitivity |
| Retail (<1 BTC addresses) | Net selling or dormancy | Minor outflows | Confidence crisis after 40%+ drawdown from $126K peak |
| Short-term leveraged players | Heavy liquidations | $1.1B+ futures liqs | Leverage flush during fear phase |
The key dynamic: whale demand is currently offsetting ETF redemptions and retail capitulation — creating a narrow but persistent bid floor around the $67K–$69K zone.
Technical & Sentiment Snapshot – February 12, 2026
Current BTC Price: ~$68,900–$69,300
- Support cluster: $67,800–$68,000 (current consolidation low), $65,000 (50-day EMA), $60,000–$62,000 (capitulation zone that held)
- Resistance: $70,000–$72,000 (psychological + prior rejection), $76,000–$78,000 (downtrend line from Jan highs)
- RSI (daily): ~38–42 → recovering from oversold; bullish divergence visible on 4H chart
- Fear & Greed Index: ~25–30 → fear territory but off the extreme lows of 18–23 seen last week
- Futures funding rates: Normalized (near zero to slightly positive) → downside leverage pressure reduced
- ETF flows: Outflows slowed significantly in the last 5–7 days; early signs of dip-buying from BlackRock IBIT & Fidelity
Near-Term Scenarios – February 2026
- Base case – Slow grind higher (55–65% probability)
$67K–$68K holds → BTC grinds toward $72K–$76K resistance. Whale accumulation + funding reset + slowing ETF outflows support gradual re-risking. Tapbit traders: DCA spot on dips, scale perps longs above $70K. - Bull case – Breakout acceleration (20–30% probability)
Cooler-than-expected U.S. CPI/PPI + ETF inflow resumption → BTC clears $76K–$78K → measured move toward $85K–$92K. Tapbit play: 20–50x perps longs on $72K break, grid bots on ETH/L2 pairs. - Bear case – Deeper retest (15–25% probability)
Hotter inflation print or renewed macro fear → break below $65K → retest $60K–$62K zone. Tapbit hedge: move to USDT Earn yields or long XAU/USDT perpetuals during spikes in fear.
Tapbit Trading Strategies – February 2026
- Sign Up on Tapbit (0% maker fees)
- Deposit USDT via P2P / bank transfer
- Dip accumulation: Dollar-cost-average BTC/USDT spot on pullbacks to $65,000–$67,000
- Reversal confirmation: Long BTC/USDT perpetuals on reclaim of $70,000–$72,000 (20–50x leverage, isolated margin)
- Risk-off hedge: Long XAU/USDT perpetuals or park in USDT Earn during macro fear spikes
- Risk control: Max 1–2% account risk per trade; use trailing stops below recent swing lows
FAQs – Bitcoin Whale Accumulation & ETF Flows (Feb 2026)
Why are whales buying aggressively while ETFs are selling?
Whales (long-duration smart money) see sub-$70K levels as attractive after the $60K capitulation flush. ETF investors — mostly TradFi — are more sensitive to short-term macro headlines and risk-off rotation.
Does 53,000 BTC whale buying guarantee a rally?
No guarantee — but historically, large whale accumulation clusters during fear phases precede medium-term rallies (30–100%+ moves within 60–120 days) once leverage resets and macro stabilizes.
Should I buy Bitcoin around $69,000 right now?
$65,000–$67,000 offers better risk/reward for staged DCA entries. Wait for $70,000–$72,000 reclaim + higher volume before aggressive longs. Below $65,000 risks retest of the $60K zone.
What macro data could move BTC this week?
U.S. CPI & PPI releases (Feb 11–13), Fed speakers, ETF flow direction, funding-rate normalization — hotter inflation reinforces “higher-for-longer” pressure.
Conclusion & Near-Term Outlook
Bitcoin whales accumulating ~53,000 BTC ($3.65 billion) last week — the largest weekly buy since late 2023 — is one of the strongest on-chain signals of long-duration conviction during a fear-dominated period. While spot ETFs saw $680 million in outflows and retail capitulated, the relatively modest institutional selling (~7% net ETF AUM redeemed vs 50% price drop) and aggressive whale accumulation suggest this remains a corrective pullback within a broader bull cycle rather than a structural bear market.
Tapbit gives traders the full toolkit to act on this divergence: 0% maker fees on BTC/USDT spot & perpetuals, deep liquidity, up to 125x leverage (use conservatively), flexible Earn yields, P2P fiat ramps, and real-time charts with whale-flow overlays. Key levels to watch: $65,000–$67,000 support hold, $70,000–$72,000 resistance reclaim, U.S. CPI/PPI reaction, ETF flow direction, and funding-rate flips — the next 7–14 days will likely determine whether this remains a healthy reset or develops into deeper weakness.
Trade Bitcoin whale-signal momentum on Tapbit:
Disclaimer: Cryptocurrency trading involves significant risk of loss. Prices are highly volatile and can change rapidly. On-chain whale flows, ETF data and macro catalysts do not guarantee future results. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. Always conduct your own research (DYOR) and never invest more than you can afford to lose completely.
