TL;DR
- Bitcoin and Ethereum holdings on centralized exchanges hit record lows, with only 7.1% and 4.9% of their total supply remaining respectively.
- This drop reflects a shift toward long-term strategies like HODLing, staking, and migration to DeFi platforms.
- Despite this bullish backdrop, both assets remain range-bound, with no clear breakout in sight just yet.
In a sign of the crypto market’s increasing maturity, both Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) are making headlines as their supply on centralized exchanges hits historic lows. According to data from on-chain analytics firm Santiment, just 7.1% of Bitcoin’s total supply is now held on exchanges, the lowest since November 2018. Ethereum’s supply on exchanges has dipped even further, falling below 4.9% for the first time in its more than 10-year history.
This is more than just a statistical milestone. Over the last five years, 1.7 million BTC and 15.3 million ETH have been pulled from exchanges. Why does this matter? Primarily because it signals that investors prefer holding their assets in private wallets, a hallmark of long-term conviction. Moreover, it suggests a growing adoption of staking protocols and decentralized finance (DeFi) platforms, where assets can be used productively without being exposed to centralized risks.
A Signal of Long-Term Confidence
This shift in supply dynamics paints a bullish picture for the future. Fewer coins available on exchanges typically indicate less short-term selling pressure, laying the groundwork for a potential price surge if favorable macroeconomic or market conditions align. Indeed, whales and long-term holders appear to be positioning for future upside by keeping their assets off exchanges and in self-custody — a move that often precedes bull runs.
Price Still Stagnant, But a Breakout Is Brewing
Despite the positive fundamentals, the price action remains muted. Ethereum, for instance, continues to trade sideways between $2,300 and $2,580, with key support at $2,100 and resistance around $2,800, according to analyst DaanCrypto. Bitcoin is showing similar consolidation behavior. This pattern suggests that traders are waiting for a clear breakout trigger — potentially a major economic event or a significant technical shift.
In the long run, however, the outlook remains promising. When supply on exchanges dries up, it often sets the stage for upward momentum. And with accelerating developments in tokenization, central bank digital currencies (CBDCs), and growing institutional interest, the crypto space is more poised than ever. The decentralized financial revolution is still in its early chapters.
