Bitcoin Updates: $100k Level Faces Pressure as Individual Investors Battle Large Holders

On November 4, 2025, Bitcoin’s value dropped below $101,000, highlighting a sharp contrast in behavior between retail and institutional investors, as reported by on-chain analytics provider Santiment. After reaching a peak of $127,500 in late October, Bitcoin is now trading at $100,915, marking a 5.30% decline from its recent high. Retail traders are still predominantly bullish, with 71.96% of accounts holding long positions, but increased selling from large holders suggests distribution may be taking precedence over accumulation, according to a

.

The ratio of long to short accounts is currently 2.57, indicating strong optimism among retail investors. However, trading volume data tells a different story, with short positions making up 52% of the volume and a volume ratio of 0.9234, as detailed by Coinotag. This mismatch—where smaller buyers absorb heavy selling from whales—has often led to heightened volatility in the past. Experts caution that with 72% of accounts positioned long, a break below the $98,000 support could trigger a wave of liquidations.

Interestingly, the crypto whale HyperUnit has taken a contrarian stance, opening $55 million in long positions on

and through Hyperliquid, according to . HyperUnit, who previously earned $200 million during the October market downturn and famously accumulated Bitcoin in 2018—growing that position to $10 billion—has a history of well-timed trades. Likewise, recently acquired 961 BTC (worth $97 million) during the latest price drop, reinforcing institutional confidence even as retail sentiment wanes, according to .

Santiment has pointed to this divergence as a warning sign, noting that increased whale selling while retail investors remain optimistic often precedes further declines, as highlighted in a

. On-chain data also shows 5.19 million units of selling pressure in Bitcoin’s accumulation/distribution metric, indicating active distribution rather than a simple correction, according to Coinotag.

Market sentiment is currently mixed. The Crypto Fear & Greed Index stands at 21, deep in the “fear” territory, while ETF inflows resumed on November 6, bringing in $240 million to Bitcoin funds after six consecutive days of outflows, as reported by

. Analysts at JPMorgan have increased their 12-month Bitcoin price forecast to $170,000, citing that Bitcoin remains undervalued compared to gold and that institutional demand is on the rise, according to the . Still, risks remain: long-term holders sold off 405,000 BTC between October 2 and November 2, and Bitcoin’s Realized Cap Dynamics suggest that structural momentum is weakening, as noted by .

Technical analysis shows a vulnerable setup. Bitcoin’s 20-day moving average and a breach of the lower Bollinger Band confirm a downward trend, with resistance at $108,000 and support at $98,000, according to Coinotag. If the price falls below $98,000, widespread long liquidations could follow, potentially pushing the price down to $95,000. On the other hand, a move above $108,000 could

short covering and prompt a retest of the $115,000 level.

Experts remain split on Bitcoin’s short-term direction. Some believe the market is stabilizing, while others warn that ongoing macroeconomic challenges—including a 7% weekly decline and unresolved geopolitical issues—could trigger renewed selling, according to the Economic Times. Cathie Wood of

Invest has revised her 2030 Bitcoin projection down to $1.2 million, citing the growing adoption of stablecoins in emerging markets as a competing use case for digital assets, as reported by .

For now, the ongoing divide between bullish retail traders and bearish institutions highlights the need for caution in this highly leveraged environment. As Santiment observes, the current split could either trigger a short squeeze or deepen the correction, depending on whether key price levels hold, according to Cointelegraph.