Bitcoin Whales Return to Profit, Easing ‘Sell in May’ Concerns

Bitcoin’s price jumped over 12% last week to reach $96,500, surpassing the average purchase price of “short-term whales”—large holders who bought Bitcoin within the last six months.

CryptoQuant analyst JA Maartunn told BeInCrypto that these whales have reclaimed their break-even level of $90,890. It means they are now in profit and less likely to sell, which adds stability to the market.

Short-Term Bitcoin Whales Return to Profit

Short-term whales are addresses that have held Bitcoin for under six months. These whales are now sitting in aggregate profit as BTC outpaces their average realized price.

Historically, when these participants cross into profitability, they tend to pause or reduce selling pressure.

CryptoQuant’s Short/Long-Term Whale Realized Price chart shows the orange line (short-term whale cost basis) rising toward the white market price curve in recent weeks.

Short/Long-Term Whale Realized Price Chart. Source: CryptoQuant

It confirms that most short-term holders would net gains if they sold at current levels.

On-chain data reinforce the significance. Funding rates on perpetual swaps remain deeply negative, indicating heavy short positions poised for a potential squeeze if buying continues.

Meanwhile, long-term holders have steadily rebuilt their accumulation. Also, the network hash rate topped a record at 1.04 ZH/s this month.

These metrics signal miners and patient investors are confident in sustaining the rally’s trajectory.

Seasonal and Macro Dynamics Bolster Outlook

Seasonal trends often cool summer rallies. Historically, Bitcoin gained 26% in Q2 on average, but the median has been just 7.6% since 2013. Sharp drops—like the 56.2% plunge in Q2 2022—have occurred.

Q3 is usually weaker, averaging 6% returns and a slightly negative median. As May nears, many brace for the “sell in May” effect seen in equities, where the S&P 500 has returned only 1.8% from May through October since 1950.