Bitcoin recovery slows as spot demand falls, exchange reserves rise to 2.68 million BTC

Exchange reserves rise from lows

The amount of BTC held on exchanges increased slightly, reaching 2.68 million BTC from around 2.67 million BTC in early October. While this marks a modest uptick, reserves remain low compared to levels seen in January. Analysts note that such transfer patterns may reflect custody changes instead of outright selling, indicating that a rise in reserves does not necessarily equate to increased sell pressure.

Even so, the trend merits attention because past analysis linked low exchange reserves to a stronger Bitcoin base. As reserves grow, buyers may need to absorb larger inflows of BTC if a sustained recovery is to develop.

Reserves on exchanges are moving higher from a low starting point, but this alone does not confirm renewed selling or a clear change in market supply dynamics.

A lasting recovery could depend on whether the market is able to handle these higher reserves without seeing increased liquidation pressure.

Spot demand remains tepid

Latest data shows that spot demand, reflected by direct purchases of BTC, has faded again. The 30-day metric recently fell to near zero and briefly turned negative. In contrast, demand from perpetual futures, or derivatives trading with no expiration, has remained positive, supporting overall demand but highlighting a reliance on leveraged traders rather than direct buyers.

This divergence between spot and derivative demand is seen as a weak point for market strength. Solid and sustained spot demand is considered one of the key requirements for building a durable market base.

For a stable and lasting recovery, buyers must show consistent spot demand and absorb any BTC returning to exchanges. The market now relies more on positive perpetual futures activity.

Positive spot readings would demonstrate buyer confidence and direct market support, something that is currently lacking.

Mini dictionary: Perpetual futures, a type of derivative contract traded on cryptocurrency exchanges, do not have an expiry date and allow traders to speculate on the price of digital assets using leverage. This instrument is popular for managing risk or seeking additional returns, but it increases market volatility due to leveraged positions.

Whale cohorts send mixed signals

Segmented data on Bitcoin holders shows disparate trends among large wallet groups. Holders of 100 to 1,000 BTC have maintained net accumulation over the last 60 days, though their pace of buying is below September’s highs. Meanwhile, entities holding 1,000 to 10,000 BTC have stabilized their positions, with net changes nearing zero. The largest group—holders of more than 10,000 BTC—remains net sellers according to recent figures.

Because accumulation is limited to select cohorts, the broad base needed for a strong recovery is lacking. Cross-group transfers and cohort activity sometimes obscure these patterns, but the absence of widespread accumulation underscores the caution among larger players.

Analysts believe that for Bitcoin to regain solid momentum, accumulation must extend beyond a single group and include a diverse set of market participants. News flow around macro events such as the U.S. midterm elections and shifts in monetary policy may eventually drive renewed interest, but this has yet to translate into widespread buying.

Until rally participation broadens, Bitcoin’s recovery will likely remain uneven and vulnerable to further swings driven by limited support.