Bitcoin Eyes $144K as Whales Hold Steady Amid Record Rally

Bitcoin is trading NEAR its all-time high of $109,000, with large investors showing no signs of exiting their positions. According to CryptoQuant's Net Realized Profit/Loss chart, profit-taking remains subdued compared to previous cycles, a notable anomaly as whales typically cash out during rallies. Analyst Merlijn The Trader has identified a bullish flag pattern, suggesting potential upside toward $144,000. This development, coupled with the flatlining NRPL, contrasts sharply with the profit-taking behavior observed in 2021, indicating strong conviction among major holders. As of June 2025, the market sentiment remains overwhelmingly bullish, with experts predicting further gains if key resistance levels are breached.

Bitcoin Nears All-Time Highs as Whales Hold for Greater Gains

Bitcoin trades near record levels at $109,000, yet large investors show no signs of exiting positions. CryptoQuant's Net Realized Profit/Loss chart reveals subdued profit-taking compared to previous cycles—a green circle marking the anomaly where whales typically cash out during rallies.

Analyst Merlijn The Trader identifies a bullish flag pattern, suggesting potential upside toward $144,000. The NRPL flatline contradicts 2024's profit-taking spikes (red circles), signaling conviction in further appreciation. Market dynamics shift as institutional players emulate HODLing strategies once exclusive to retail.

Bitcoin Investor Kidnapped and Tortured in NYC Over Wallet Password

Two men have pleaded not guilty to kidnapping and torturing a Bitcoin investor in a luxury SoHo apartment for three weeks, prosecutors say. John Woeltz, 37, and William Duplessie, 33, allegedly subjected the victim to beatings, electric shocks, and threats to extract his Bitcoin wallet password. The victim escaped, but the case highlights growing risks for high-profile crypto holders.

Cryptocurrency kidnappings are rising as attackers target individuals known to hold significant digital assets. Unlike traditional bank transfers, crypto transactions are irreversible once executed, making victims vulnerable. France has emerged as a hotspot, with at least six similar cases reported by May 2025.

The suspects face life imprisonment if convicted. The incident underscores the need for enhanced security measures among crypto investors, as physical threats become an alarming trend in the digital asset space.

The Case for Investing in Digital Assets

Digital assets offer unparalleled risk-reward ratios, with bitcoin outperforming the S&P 500 by more than three to one. The transparency of public blockchains eliminates the need for trust, while decentralized finance (DeFi) recreates traditional financial services without intermediaries.

Bitcoin stands as a historic innovation, removing reliance on central banks. Web3's evolving application LAYER promises improved accessibility, supported by advancements like MPC technology and multi-sig wallets. Chainalysis further ensures the integrity of funds, marking a leap from the security challenges of six to eight years ago.

Bullish Exchange Launches $14M Trading Competition Targeting Institutional Traders

Cryptocurrency exchange Bullish is rolling out a high-stakes trading competition with a $14 million prize pool in Q3 2024, signaling deepening institutional involvement in digital assets. The event's $10 million top prize dwarfs typical retail-focused contests, reflecting the market's professionalization.

Judges from Annamite Capital, Nine Blocks Capital, and other institutional firms will evaluate participants on sophisticated metrics like risk-adjusted returns—a departure from retail trading volume benchmarks. Finalists may defend their strategies in live presentations, mirroring hedge fund pitch sessions.

The competition coincides with unprecedented corporate Bitcoin adoption, as public companies increasingly allocate treasury reserves to BTC. CME's record derivatives activity and CoinDesk's institutional FLOW analysis confirm capital is moving through regulated channels.

U.S. Strategic Bitcoin Reserve Marks Milestone in Institutional Adoption: Gemini

The creation of a U.S. Strategic Bitcoin Reserve (SBR) represents a watershed moment in Bitcoin's journey toward institutional legitimacy, according to a joint report from Gemini and Glassnode. Over 30% of Bitcoin's circulating supply is now held by centralized entities—exchanges, ETFs, corporations, and sovereign nations—signaling a structural shift toward long-term capital allocation and strategic custody.

Sovereign investment exerts disproportionate influence on Bitcoin's market dynamics. Each dollar allocated to the SBR could catalyze $25 in market cap growth and $1.70 in sustained value, demonstrating the amplifying effect of institutional participation. The reserve, initially seeded with seized assets under a March directive from former President Trump, now serves as validation of Bitcoin's role in modern reserve strategies.

While early adopters still control significant holdings, sovereign endorsement is rapidly normalizing institutional exposure. A quiet migration of assets from exchanges to custodians suggests market maturation rather than speculative churn.

Bitcoin Holds Steady Above $109K as CPI Data Looms

Bitcoin maintains its footing above the $109,000 support level, with traders eyeing Wednesday's U.S. CPI release as a potential catalyst for breaking its all-time high. The 4-hour chart shows resilience near $109,600 resistance, while the daily timeframe confirms a successful breakout from a consolidation wedge.

Market sentiment hinges on the inflation data—a favorable reading could propel BTC toward $112,000, whereas disappointment might test the $106,000-$107,000 support zone. Technical indicators show mixed signals, with Stochastic RSI nearing overbought territory on higher timeframes.