Bitcoin Whales Stall Path to $150K as Trump Advisor Warns of Delays

Bitcoin is once again testing investor patience. Despite strong long-term expectations, whale sell-offs, slowing ETF inflows, and a surge in volatility are keeping the market in check. According to David Bailey, a key advisor to Donald Trump on Bitcoin matters and CEO of Nakamoto, the cryptocurrency cannot break out toward $150,000 until two major players finish offloading their holdings.

Why Bitcoin Isn’t Moving Higher Yet

Bailey explained that two whales, controlling a combined 200,000 BTC, are currently holding back Bitcoin’s momentum. One of them has 80,000 BTC, while the other holds 120,000 BTC—large enough sums to heavily influence price action.

He reassured concerned investors on social media, saying the issue would be handled “1×1,” implying that the market can absorb the selling pressure from each whale in turn. Still, many remain cautious, wondering whether such concentrated holdings could continue to weigh down Bitcoin’s progress.

Whale Sell-Offs Shake Market Confidence

Recent weeks have been filled with high-profile whale activity:

• On August 24, a whale sold 24,000 BTC in a single transaction, triggering a sharp drop that liquidated more than $500 million in leveraged positions.

• A few days earlier, a long-term holder transferred 400 BTC to the trading platform HyperLiquid, swapping Bitcoin for Ethereum.

• More recently, another investor sold 2,000 BTC to purchase nearly 49,000 ETH, signaling shifting confidence between top cryptocurrencies.

Such moves highlight that long-term wallets, once the backbone of Bitcoin’s stability, are actively taking profits and diversifying holdings. Combined with weakening inflows into spot Bitcoin ETFs, the result is a fragile market that could see sharp swings in the weeks ahead.

Analysts Call It a Healthy Correction

Not everyone sees this turbulence as a negative. Analysts at on-chain firm CryptoQuant suggest the correction is part of a normal market cycle.

Darkfrost, a CryptoQuant analyst, noted that Bitcoin’s drop of about 12% from its all-time high of $123,000 is well within historical norms. Previous bull runs have seen corrections as deep as 28%, which often served to reset leverage, reduce overheating, and set the stage for stronger rallies.

This perspective suggests that the current volatility could be a healthy pause, allowing new buyers to enter before the next upward push.

Traders Eye $100K as Key Support

Popular trader Michael van de Poppe remains cautiously optimistic but warns that Bitcoin may still test lower levels before resuming its uptrend. He predicts a potential dip into the $100K–$103K range before Bitcoin can build enough strength for a sustained breakout.

If these levels hold, it could set the foundation for a push toward $150K once whale selling pressure eases and ETF inflows stabilize.

ETF Inflows Drying Up

One of the biggest drivers of Bitcoin’s surge earlier this year was the approval and growth of spot Bitcoin ETFs. However, inflows have slowed significantly in recent weeks, with many investors sitting on the sidelines amid rising uncertainty.

This slowdown in institutional demand is amplifying the effect of whale sell-offs. Without strong buying support from ETFs, large sell orders can trigger steeper price drops, creating an unstable market environment.

What’s Next for Bitcoin?

Bitcoin is currently trading around $110,325, posting a modest 0.67% gain in the last 24 hours. While short-term volatility remains high, the long-term outlook hinges on two key factors:

1. Completion of whale selling – Once these large holders finish their offloading, the market could regain momentum toward $150K.

2. ETF inflows resuming – Renewed institutional buying could provide the liquidity needed to absorb whale activity and fuel the next leg up.

Until then, Bitcoin may remain stuck in a choppy range, frustrating bulls and creating opportunities for short-term traders.

Conclusion

The debate over whether Bitcoin is in a healthy correction or on the verge of a deeper crash continues. For now, whales remain the biggest obstacle to new highs, while ETF inflows—or lack thereof—will decide the strength of the next rally.

David Bailey’s comments suggest patience is key, as the market absorbs large sell-offs one at a time. Whether Bitcoin can reach $150K in the coming months will depend on how quickly the selling pressure clears and if institutional demand returns.