Bitcoin institutional demand continues to show resilience despite recent market volatility. New data from CryptoQuant reveals that large Bitcoin custody wallets have accumulated approximately $53 billion worth of BTC over the past 12 months, signaling sustained interest from institutional investors even as retail sentiment cools.
According to CryptoQuant founder Ki Young Ju, wallets holding between 100 and 1,000 BTC added around 577,000 Bitcoin over the last year. This wallet cohort, which includes spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs), provides a useful proxy for tracking institutional demand while excluding exchanges and miners. Ju emphasized that inflows are ongoing, suggesting institutions are still actively accumulating Bitcoin.
Institutional Bitcoin Accumulation Accelerates After ETF Launch
CryptoQuant data shows that Bitcoin holdings in large wallets have increased by roughly 33% over the past 24 months, a period that coincides with the launch of spot Bitcoin ETFs in the United States. These ETFs have already recorded approximately $1.2 billion in net inflows so far this year, even as Bitcoin’s price has climbed about 6% during the same period.
Market observers believe this trend is still in its early stages. Political economist Crypto Seth commented that institutional investment in Bitcoin and Ethereum has only just begun, adding that the long-term impact may be difficult for many to envision looking ahead to 2030 and beyond.
Digital Asset Treasuries Drive Supply Shock While Retail Sentiment Weakens
Another major contributor to Bitcoin accumulation has been the rapid growth of digital asset treasuries (DATs). Firms such as Michael Saylor’s Strategy have collectively acquired around 260,000 BTC since July, valued at roughly $24 billion at current prices. Glassnode reports that DAT holdings have surged 30% in just six months, significantly outpacing new Bitcoin supply from miners. In total, these entities now control more than 1.1 million BTC.
While institutions continue to accumulate, retail traders appear more cautious. The Bitcoin Fear & Greed Index recently dropped back into “fear” territory, registering 32 out of 100, after briefly entering “greed” for the first time since October. This shift in sentiment follows Bitcoin’s pullback from last week’s high near $97,000 to below $92,000, as markets reacted to rising trade tensions between the United States and Europe.
