The cryptocurrency market experienced a sudden surge in trading activity after U.S. President Donald Trump proposed integrating digital assets into the country’s strategic reserves. In the hours following the announcement, billions of dollars worth of Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and XRP were transferred to exchanges, a move typically associated with an intent to sell.
Whales Move Massive Crypto Holdings to Exchanges
According to on-chain analytics firm CryptoQuant, large crypto holders—commonly referred to as whales—initiated substantial fund transfers, triggering price fluctuations across major digital assets.
- Bitcoin (BTC): Exchange inflows surged from an average of 500-1,000 BTC per hour to a high of 6,739 BTC in a single day.
- Ethereum (ETH): Over 300,000 ETH was moved to exchanges within an hour, marking one of the largest inflows in recent months.
- XRP: Whale-driven transfers pushed 193 million XRP into exchanges, causing increased volatility in its price.
Market Reaction: Spot Demand Decline Raises Concerns
While Trump’s endorsement of crypto as a reserve asset initially fueled excitement, analysts caution that real spot demand—the actual buying interest in crypto assets—has been in decline.
CryptoQuant’s latest report highlights that:
- Bitcoin’s demand growth has been contracting since December 2024, following a sharp acceleration after the U.S. election.
- This contraction marks the first decline since September 2024, raising concerns about sustaining future rallies.
- Retail accumulation, a key driver of long-term price stability, has also declined since early November.
What This Means for the Crypto Market
Large-scale exchange inflows typically indicate increased selling pressure, which can lead to short-term price corrections. However, the long-term impact of Trump’s crypto reserve proposal remains uncertain. If institutional and retail demand picks up, it could counterbalance the current sell-off trend.
With Bitcoin currently trading at $83,553, Ethereum at $1,882, and XRP at $2.24, investors will closely monitor on-chain data for signs of renewed buying interest in the coming weeks.