Bitcoin (BTC) Whales Are Accumulating Amidst the U.S.-China Trade War

Global markets are experiencing anxiety as the U.S.-China trade war intensifies in 2025. Yet, Bitcoin (BTC) whales are sending a bullish signal by holding and accumulating more BTC

Global markets are experiencing a wave of anxiety as the U.S.-China trade war continues to escalate in 2025. Following his re-election, Trump has intensified his “America First” agenda, announcing a series of tariffs on various countries, mainly focused on China. These policies have sparked widespread concerns over global trade disruptions and experts predict a potential collapse of the global supply chains.

Earlier this week, reports emerged of Beijing imposing retaliatory tariffs of over 125% on U.S. goods, targeting key sectors like agriculture and fuel in response to Trump's tariffs. These measures escalate the trade dispute, which began with former President Obama but grew more acute during Trump's tenure.

Moreover, China has added 11 American companies to its “unreliable entity list” and imposed export controls on 16 others, affecting companies involved in technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), autonomous vehicles, and advanced semiconductors.

The U.S.-China trade war is no longer a skirmish—it's a full-blown economic showdown, with both nations digging in their heels. For the crypto market, which is sensitive to macroeconomic events, this raises the question: how will Bitcoin (BTC), the leading cryptocurrency, navigate this turbulent period?

CryptoQuant’s Exchange Whale Ratio, which measures the proportion of the top 10 inflows to total exchange inflows, remains low, minimal selling pressure from these large holders.

Present situation is a significant departure from what we might expect during a crisis.

CryptoQuant's analysis of BTC exchange whale activity.

Chart: CryptoQuant

In past crises, experience shows that whales usually exit the market ahead of major downturns. For instance, during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic crash, whales were seen to be distributing their holdings before Bitcoin's price plummeted from $10,000 to below $4,000 in March 2020. Their early exit quickly signaled the beginning of a sharp drop.

However, in 2025, despite the trade war fears and broader economic uncertainty, these whales are holding firm and even increasing their positions. This is surprising, given that we might expect them to be the first to sell and move to fiat during a crisis.

The Actions of BTC Whales

CryptoQuant's Exchange Whale Ratio, which measures the proportion of the top 10 inflows to total exchange inflows, has remained low, indicating minimal selling pressure from these large holders.

Data of Bitcoin Exchange Ratio – Source: CryptoQuant

The present situation is a significant departure from what we might expect during a crisis.

CryptoQuant’s analysis of BTC exchange whale activity.

Chart: CryptoQuant

In past crises, experience shows that whales usually exit the market ahead of major downturns. For instance, during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic crash, whales were seen to be distributing their holdings before Bitcoin's price plummeted from $10,000 to below $4,000 in March 2020. Their early exit quickly signaled the beginning of a sharp drop.

However, in 2025, despite the trade war fears and broader economic uncertainty, these whales are holding firm and even increasing their positions. This is surprising, given that we might expect them to be the first to sell and move to fiat during a crisis.

What This Means for the Market

The accumulation by BTC whales is a powerful signal for the crypto market, particularly for retail investors who often look to these large players for cues.

When whales hold or buy more Bitcoin, it suggests they believe in the asset’s long-term value and expect prices to rise. This behavior can have a calming effect on the market, reassuring smaller investors who might otherwise panic-sell during periods of uncertainty.

Moreover, many experts suggest that the trade war fears are a “manufactured crisis” rather than a genuine economic collapse —similar to the narrative around COVID-19. The fact that whales are not exiting, unlike in 2020, indicates that they see this as an opportunity to buy the dip, expecting a recovery once the trade tensions subside.

This analysis aligns with predictions that after the U.S. Federal Reserve (FED) and China rapidly raised interest rates and pulled back liquidity to combat inflation, both institutions will likely begin cutting rates again to stimulate their respective economies.

This influx of liquidity is expected to benefit assets like gold first, followed by Bitcoin, which is increasingly considered “digital gold.” Several researchers support this view, adding that while Bitcoin may not be a safe haven during crises, it can act as a diversifier in certain circumstances, particularly as a hedge against inflation.

The fact that whales are accumulating rather than selling aligns with this bullish outlook, suggesting that Bitcoin could see significant gains as global economic conditions stabilize.