Bitcoin Market Stalls as Profit-Taking, Whale Dispersal, and Sideways Action Define the Cycle

The Bitcoin market is entering a complex phase marked by rising realized profits, reduced whale balances, and historically prolonged sideways price movement.  

While institutional interest remains steady, the network is showing signs of redistribution and exhaustion, raising questions about what might trigger the next breakout.

Profit-Taking Intensifies, But Still Below Previous Cycle Peaks

According to on-chain analytics firm Glassnode, profit-taking activity is rising once again. On June 30, realized profits across the Bitcoin network surged to $2.46 billion, while the 7-day simple moving average (SMA) rose to $1.52 billion. That figure significantly exceeds the 2025 YTD average of $1.14 billion, signaling increasing sell pressure.

However, Glassnode notes that these profit levels remain well below the $4–5 billion peaks seen in the November–December 2024 cycle top. While the market is heating up, it hasn’t yet reached the levels that typically precede major trend reversals.

READ MORE:

Bitcoin Averages 37% Rebound After Crises, Binance Research Finds

Whale Supply Declines Despite Institutional Inflows

Meanwhile, new data from Sentora (formerly IntoTheBlock) shows that wallets holding over 1,000 BTC have been steadily reducing their balances, even as institutional capital continues flowing into Bitcoin.

Rather than interpreting this as weakness, analysts view it as a sign of market maturation. Older “whale” coins are being redistributed across smaller holders and newer entrants, reflecting broader adoption and reducing centralized supply risk. This shift, Sentora argues, could strengthen Bitcoin’s long-term decentralization and liquidity profile.

Sideways Action Hits 195 Days: The Slowest Cycle Yet?

Adding to the stagnation narrative, CryptoCon reports that Bitcoin has now spent 195 consecutive days in sideways price action, dating back to December 18, 2024. While short bursts of upside have occurred—only 36 days in total—nearly 2 full years have been dominated by grinding, non-trending behavior.

“Remove the expansion bursts,” CryptoCon writes, “and you’re left with a brutal sideways cycle and new lows for the entire phase.”

Their cycle chart shows only brief expansion rallies across 2023 to 2025, with the longest stretches of consolidation in Bitcoin’s history. The current cycle is now the slowest on record, though it remains structurally intact.

READ MORE:

Strategy Boosts Bitcoin Holdings to 597,325 BTC with Latest Purchase

Conclusion

Bitcoin’s current phase reflects a maturing yet indecisive market. Rising profit-taking, whale coin redistribution, and record-long sideways movement suggest a buildup rather than a breakdown. While volatility remains subdued, structural shifts in ownership and steady institutional inflows may be laying the groundwork for the next major move. Until a clear catalyst emerges, the market appears poised in quiet anticipation of a breakout—or a reset.

If historical patterns hold, this extended consolidation could act as the foundation for a future breakout. But for now, Bitcoin appears stuck between exhausted bullish momentum and strong hands waiting for the next macro catalyst.

Kosta Gushterov

Kosta has been working in the crypto industry for over 4 years. He strives to present different perspectives on a given topic and enjoys the sector for its transparency and dynamism. In his work, he focuses on balanced coverage of events and developments in the crypto space, providing information to his readers from a neutral perspective.