Bitcoin whale activity on track for its biggest week this year: Analysts

Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson had previously predicted that Bitcoin could reach $250,000 this year, citing favorable international negotiations as a catalyst for growth. However, recent market fluctuations have cast doubt on this forecast, as Bitcoin's price has significantly declined from its previous highs. Analysts are now warning that the bear market may just be beginning.

Bitcoin's base layer is facing challenges with low throughput, high fees, and limited programmability, leading to a shift of DeFi activities to alternative Layer-1s and Ethereum rollups. Bitcoin Hyper has introduced a modular Bitcoin Layer-2 utilizing SVM technology, which promises low-latency smart contract execution and performance akin to Solana, while maintaining Bitcoin's security. Recent whale purchases have pushed the presale past $28 million, indicating renewed interest in Bitcoin.

Bitcoin's price is attempting to recover above the $95,000 mark after recently dropping to a local low of approximately $89,000. This decline has led to a significant increase in implied volatility, with Bitcoin trading around $92,858 at the time of reporting.

XRP has experienced a significant decline, falling below the critical support level of $2.15. The drop is attributed to broader weakness in the cryptocurrency market and Bitcoin's recent 'Death Cross' pattern, which typically signals a bearish trend. This downturn occurs despite the absence of major catalysts influencing XRP's price directly.

On-chain data indicates that XRP retail investors have seen a 60% increase in profitability despite recent market downturns. This figure is compared to Bitcoin and Ethereum, highlighting XRP's resilience in the current cryptocurrency landscape. The analysis by Glassnode sheds light on the profitability of retail investors in the top assets.

Bitcoin fell below the $92,000 mark, trading at $91,500 after a 5% drop, marking a 17% decline over the past month. Market sentiment has shifted to fear as investors reassess risks following significant price fluctuations. Cameron Winklevoss suggested that prices under $90,000 may not last long, framing the current dip as a buying opportunity rather than a setback.

Analysts assert that the recent decline in Bitcoin's value should not be attributed to the US government shutdown or advancements in artificial intelligence. An onchain analyst noted that similar price drops in the past have often led to subsequent increases in Bitcoin's value, suggesting a potential for recovery.

Solana (SOL) has initiated a recovery wave, trading above the $132 zone and consolidating near $145. The price has surpassed key resistance levels, including $135 and $140, and is now above the 100-hourly simple moving average. If SOL can clear the $145 and $150 resistance levels, further upward movement is anticipated.