Whales Accumulate Amid “Red September” as Bitcoin’s Fate Hangs in Balance

Whales Accumulate Amid “Red September” as Bitcoin’s Fate Hangs in Balance


Bitcoin’s price movements in September 2025 have drawn heightened attention from traders and analysts, as the cryptocurrency faces both historical bearish trends and technical breakdowns. Entering the month at $108,253, Bitcoin (BTC) began with a 0.49% decline from the previous day, marking the first negative month for BTC since April. The 6.5% drop in August not only ended a four-month winning streak but also caused $751 million in outflows from U.S.-listed spot ETFs, according to SoSoValue data [1]. This outflow reflects a broader institutional caution, despite whale accumulation hitting record levels with 19,130 addresses holding 100+ BTC [2]. Analysts are closely watching whether this trend will continue or reverse as the month progresses.

Key technical indicators have turned bearish, signaling potential further downside. Bitcoin has breached multiple support levels, including the Ichimoku cloud, the 50-day and 100-day simple moving averages (SMAs), and key horizontal support zones from May and December [1]. The breakdown in these levels has reinforced bearish momentum, as seen in the Guppy Multiple Moving Average (GMMA) and the MACD histogram. The shorter-term EMA of the GMMA has crossed below the longer-term band, and the weekly MACD has dipped below zero, indicating a shift from a bullish to a bearish trend [1]. These signals suggest the price could continue to fall to the 200-day SMA at $101,366 and potentially to the $100,000 level.

Historical patterns also contribute to the bearish outlook. September has historically been a weak month for Bitcoin, with an average return of -3.77% since 2013 and eight out of the last 12 September months closing in negative territory [2]. Yuri Berg from FinchTrade explains that this is largely due to institutional portfolio rebalancing and tax-loss harvesting ahead of the fiscal year-end [2]. The seasonal weakness has created a self-reinforcing cycle, with traders anticipating downward movements and acting accordingly. This “Red September” phenomenon is not unique to Bitcoin; the S&P 500 has also historically posted an average return of -1.20% in September since 1928 [2].

However, some analysts argue that the bearish narrative may be overstated. Rekt Fencer, a well-known analyst in the crypto space, has suggested that the market may have already priced in a September sell-off, echoing the 2017 pattern where Bitcoin found support after August weakness before surging to $20,000 [2]. The current price action shows Bitcoin hovering near the $105,000-$110,000 range, which previously acted as resistance before flipping to support [2]. Analysts like ZYN have also pointed to hidden bullish divergences in the RSI, suggesting that the market is not as weak as the price chart indicates [2]. These signals hint at potential short-term rebounds, though the overall trend remains bearish.

The macroeconomic landscape also plays a role in shaping Bitcoin’s trajectory. While institutional investors have shown caution through ETF outflows, large holders—often referred to as whales—have continued to accumulate BTC. The record-high number of whale addresses suggests that sophisticated investors may be viewing the dip as an opportunity to accumulate at lower prices [2]. Meanwhile, expectations for Federal Reserve rate cuts in the fourth quarter have created a potential tailwind for Bitcoin, as weaker U.S. dollar conditions historically benefit the cryptocurrency [2]. Analysts like Tom Lee of Fundstrat Global Advisors have taken a bullish stance, projecting Bitcoin could recover to $120,000 in September and potentially reach $200,000 by year-end [2]. These projections hinge on the assumption that Fed policy and broader institutional adoption will provide a catalyst for a rebound.

Overall, the outlook for Bitcoin in September 2025 remains mixed. While technical breakdowns and seasonal patterns suggest a higher likelihood of further declines, there are also signs that the market may be approaching a bottom. Whale accumulation and potential macroeconomic catalysts could provide a counterbalance to the bearish momentum. As the month unfolds, traders and investors will be watching closely for signals that could confirm either a sustained downtrend or a reversal toward a new bull phase.

Source:

[1] Bitcoin (BTC) Price News: Risks Sliding to $100K as ‘Red September’ Looms (https://www.coindesk.com/markets/2025/09/01/red-september-bitcoin-risks-sliding-to-usd100k-after-8-monthly-drop)

[2] How Low Can Bitcoin Go in September 2025? BTC Price Predictions Analysis (https://www.financemagnates.com/trending/how-low-can-bitcoin-go-in-september-2025-btc-price-predictions-analysis/)



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