TL;DR
- Large custody wallets accumulated $53B in Bitcoin over the past year.
- Institutional buying remains steady despite cooling retail sentiment.
- Corporate treasuries and spot ETFs are primary drivers of accumulation.
Institutional Bitcoin demand remains firm as large custody wallets continue to absorb supply valued at nearly $53 billion, according to recent on-chain data. Blockchain records show a steady flow of Bitcoin into wallets linked to major United States custodians, even while retail participation cools. The divergence highlights a clear divide between short-term hesitation among smaller traders and sustained accumulation by capital-heavy players.
CryptoQuant founder Ki Young Ju stated on X that wallets holding between 100 and 1,000 BTC, excluding exchanges and miners, added close to 577,000 BTC over the past twelve months. At current market prices, the accumulation equals roughly $53 billion. Inflows continue without interruption, reflecting a deliberate pace rather than reactive buying tied to daily price swings.
Institutional demand for Bitcoin remains strong.
US custody wallets typically hold 100-1,000 BTC each. Excluding exchanges and miners, this gives a rough read on institutional demand. ETF holdings included.
577K BTC ($53B) added over the past year, and still flowing in. pic.twitter.com/kG1c8dTvlq
— Ki Young Ju (@ki_young_ju) January 19, 2026
Large custody wallets now control around 1.3 times more Bitcoin than two years ago. Growth aligns with the expansion of spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds in the United States. Accumulation did not arise from market excitement. Buying activity increased when regulatory rules became clearer and when compliant investment vehicles reached maturity. Institutional participants show preference for operational reliability over short-term price timing.
Bitcoin recorded a modest price advance of about 6% during the year, while uncertainty persists across trading venues. Despite mixed sentiment, large investors add exposure steadily. The pattern suggests tolerance for short-term drawdowns and confidence built on longer horizons. Accumulation unfolds gradually, guided by planning rather than urgency.
ETFs and corporate treasuries deepen long-term positioning
Spot Bitcoin ETFs continue to serve as a primary access route for institutions seeking exposure without managing private keys or custody infrastructure. Since January, United States spot ETFs attracted approximately $1.2 billion in net inflows. Capital enters quietly, even during weeks marked by market hesitation, signaling consistent commitment rather than speculative behavior.
Beyond ETFs, corporate treasuries expand holdings at a rapid pace. Firms aligned with a Bitcoin-centric treasury model, popularized by Michael Saylor, accumulated nearly 260,000 BTC since July. Current valuations place the stash near $24 billion. Purchase decisions emphasize durability and balance-sheet alignment instead of tactical entry points.
Rising institutional ownership removes a growing volume of Bitcoin from active circulation. Glassnode data indicates corporate vaults now hold more than 1.1 million BTC, marking a 30% rise within six months. Accumulation outpaces newly mined supply, gradually tightening availability across exchanges and over-the-counter desks.
Fewer coins remain accessible for rapid trading, while long-term holders absorb issuance without public signaling. Large participants often increase exposure during market pullbacks, using periods of weakness to build positions rather than exit them.
Retail sentiment, by contrast, reflects rising caution. Fear indicators show increased anxiety among individual traders. Institutional behavior diverges sharply. CryptoQuant analysis points to demand driven by long-term allocation decisions, not emotional responses to intraday price changes.
The data outlines a market shaped by patience and structure. Bitcoin accumulation by institutions advances through measured steps, anchored in custody solutions, ETFs, and corporate balance sheets.
