Despite Bitcoin surpassing the $100,000 threshold, small-scale investors — colloquially known as “shrimps” — continue accumulating. These wallets, holding less than 1 BTC, are projected to grow by approximately 9%, reflecting a robust retail interest in the leading cryptocurrency.
CryptoQuant analyst Axel Adler highlighted this trend in a Dec. 14 post, noting the resilience of shrimp holders in the face of high prices. “Despite being labeled as ‘shrimps,’ these holders are showing strong confidence in Bitcoin’s growth, continuing to accumulate coins even at current price levels,” he stated.
Currently, shrimp wallets amount to 323,000 addresses. Adler forecasts this number to climb to 351,000 shortly, marking an 8.67% increase. This growth momentum traces back to when Bitcoin traded at $61,000, during which the number of shrimp wallets stood at 265,000 — a 21.9% rise since that price level.
Long-Term Bitcoin Holders Adopt a Contrasting Strategy
While shrimp wallets are growing, long-term holders — those retaining Bitcoin for over 155 days — have been offloading their assets. Data reveals that these investors sold 827,783 BTC over the past month, raising concerns about a potential market top.
Some analysts warn that the sell-off could trigger bearish conditions, especially if buy-side demand diminishes. However, market indicators suggest the extent of any future corrections may not match the severity of Bitcoin’s recent 10% dip in early December.
A Bitfinex report from Dec. 9 pointed to reduced sell-side pressure and declining realized profit-taking. “With such a decline in realized profit and sell-side pressure, we can expect future declines to be less abrupt than the one experienced last week,” the report stated.
Resilient Retail Interest
The expansion of shrimp wallets highlights the confidence of retail investors in Bitcoin’s long-term value. This metric serves as a barometer for understanding grassroots adoption of the cryptocurrency.
As Bitcoin hovers at $101,549, according to CoinMarketCap, the diverging behaviors of shrimp investors and long-term holders underscore a complex market dynamic. While some are cashing out, smaller investors are capitalizing on opportunities to accumulate, suggesting a bullish sentiment persists at the retail level despite broader market fluctuations.
Whether Bitcoin’s price will maintain its upward trajectory or face further corrections remains uncertain. However, the unwavering faith of shrimp wallets hints at a steadfast belief in Bitcoin’s potential among smaller investors.
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