In the latest twist in the crypto saga, the market’s recent turmoil was amplified by a whale’s unexpected play, shaking Bitcoin’s price below $109,000 for the first time since last month. Meanwhile, Ether, not to be outdone, saw a 13% tumble from its near-record highs. This volatility wiped out over $900 million in leveraged futures bets, mostly long positions, hinting at tumultuous waters ahead.
Whales and Waves
A colossal sale of 25,000 BTC by a single whale sent shockwaves through an already fragile market. Pseudonymous analyst SightBringer speculated on X that the whale may have deliberately dismantled the bid wall, anticipating a rebound driven by institutional investors eyeing Bitcoin ETFs. “This whale is showing us something bigger,” SightBringer remarked, suggesting a strategic move to shake out weaker hands and reaccumulate at lower levels. This aligns with recent insights from Whale Indicators Show a New Price Direction For Bitcoin, which suggest a potential shift in market dynamics.
Amidst this backdrop, analysts at MEXC Ventures have pinpointed Bitcoin’s position at a precarious juncture. There’s talk of BTC consolidating between $110,000 and $120,000 unless a fresh macroeconomic catalyst emerges, like a policy pivot from the Fed or an influx of new capital.
Ether’s Ride and XRP’s Dilemma
While the consensus on Ether remains optimistic, its recent dip underscores the need for a robust catalyst to propel it past the psychological $5,000 barrier. According to MEXC’s Leo Zhao, “corporate treasury adoption alone won’t suffice.” This sentiment echoes the strategic moves highlighted in Bitcoin Whale Dumps $75 Million to Go Long on Ethereum, illustrating the complex interplay between major cryptocurrencies.
XRP, on the other hand, seems to be in murky waters. With Bollinger Bands tightening and RSI at a neutral level, Ryan Lee of Bitget cautioned that XRP may retest lower levels unless market momentum shifts significantly.
The Broader Picture
The crypto sell-off coincides with a steepening U.S. Treasury yield curve, reflecting anticipation of a potential Fed rate cut in September. This macroeconomic factor, coupled with rising Japanese government bond yields, could inject further volatility into global markets.
As if the crypto space weren’t already buzzing, Mantle Network is set to roll out its mainnet upgrade tomorrow, aligning with Ethereum’s Prague update. This could potentially bolster user engagement and developer interest in the Ethereum layer-2 ecosystem.
Looking Forward
Despite the current turbulence, many in the crypto community remain cautiously optimistic. The impending multibillion-dollar options expiry on Deribit looms large, with a skew towards Bitcoin puts. This suggests a protective stance among traders, wary of further downturns.
As markets digest these developments, questions linger. Will Bitcoin find its footing, or are deeper corrections on the horizon? And how will macroeconomic shifts ripple through the digital asset landscape?
For now, investors tread carefully, eyes peeled for the next strategic play in the ever-evolving crypto chessboard. Whether this latest whale maneuver will pay dividends or merely add to the market’s woes remains to be seen. But one thing’s for sureβthe crypto market never sleeps, and neither should its watchers.
Source
This article is based on: Large Liquidations Mask Whale’s Buy-the-Bitcoin-Dip Strategy: Crypto Daybook Americas
Further Reading
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- Here Is Why Bitcoin’s Flash Crash May Signal Altcoin Season: Crypto Daybook Americas
- Bitcoin and Ether’s Swift Spike Prompts $375M in Crypto Futures Liquidations

Steve Gregory is a lawyer in the United States who specializes in licensing for cryptocurrency companies and products. Steve began his career as an attorney in 2015 but made the switch to working in cryptocurrency full time shortly after joining the original team at Gemini Trust Company, an early cryptocurrency exchange based in New York City. Steve then joined CEX.io and was able to launch their regulated US-based cryptocurrency. Steve then went on to become the CEO at currency.com when he ran for four years and was able to lead currency.com to being fully acquired in 2025.