Bitcoin’s supply held by long-term holders climbed to an all-time peak on July 21, 2026, surpassing its previous record set a month earlier. According to Coinglass data, long-term holders now control 16.64 million BTC, which amounts to approximately 83% of the circulating supply.
Long-Term Holder Supply Growth Details
The metric tracks wallets that have not moved their bitcoin for at least 155 days, a sign that these coins are unlikely to be sold soon. This indicator has been rising since early 2024, after a period of fluctuation between 14 million and 16 million BTC following the January 2024 launch of spot bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs). By May 2026, it broke out of a 2.5-year downtrend and climbed steadily, adding more than 2 million BTC during a broader bear market at roughly 200,000 BTC per month.
By June, the long-term holder supply reached the new record of 16.64 million BTC, valued at about $1.07 trillion when bitcoin traded near $64,100. This rally reflects a buildup of conviction among existing holders rather than fresh demand, as coins retained beyond 155 days suggest holding intent.
Shift in Holder Composition
Cryptoquant CEO Ki Young Ju highlighted a notable dynamic behind this supply increase, explaining that corporate treasury strategies and ETF buyers have absorbed selling from old whales bitcoin’s largest early holders. This redistribution concentrates bitcoin in wallets less likely to sell during short-term price changes.
Recent wallet data shows that while mid-tier holders have sold, large whale wallets have increased their holdings by tens of thousands of BTC in recent months. This pattern of accumulation by substantial holders aligns with previous market cycles.
Since mid-February 2026, data from Binance and Bitcoin.com News suggest that long-term holders resumed accumulation, coinciding with tightening supply conditions and signaling the early stage of a new market cycle.
This article is for informational purposes and does not constitute financial advice.
