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$10 m+ whale positions show predominant shorting trend

Whales Holding $10M+ in Crypto Positions Mostly Short | Concerns Sparked Among Traders

By

Yuki Nishida

Feb 12, 2026, 01:45 PM

Edited By

Liam O'Shea

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A visual representation of financial charts indicating a decline, with large whale icons symbolizing investors with over $10 million betting against the market.
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A growing concern is brewing in the crypto market as data reveals that many whales, holding positions over $10 million, are primarily shorting the market. This unexpected behavior from top investors raises questions about market stability and manipulation.

Context and Implications

In the current market climate, where volatility is rampant, the trend of short positions could suggest a bearish outlook among significant players.

Future Market Dynamics

There's a strong chance that if the trend of whales shorting the crypto market continues, we could see a significant drop in prices over the next few months. With major players betting against the market, the confidence of smaller traders may wane, leading to a selling frenzy. Experts estimate around a 60% probability of this bearish sentiment materializing further, particularly if economic factors, like rising interest rates, foster a risk-off environment. Additionally, the potential for regulatory scrutiny could exacerbate volatility, pushing more people toward caution in their investment strategies.

Historical Echoes from the Mining Boom

Consider the early 2000s tech bubble, when giants of the internet were sidelining their optimistic forecasts, only to short the market just as it peaked. Just like those tech titans, today's crypto whales may be signaling a phase of uncertainty rather than outright failure. The parallel lies in their influence: as the top players backpedaled into shorting positions years ago, the landscape of investment thrived on fear and unpredictability. This seems eerily similar to the present situation, where the looming risk of inconsistency and outright crash brings with it an unusual cocktail of anxiety and speculative opportunities.