Why Big Investors Can’t Move the Bitcoin Price—And Why That Matters
By [Your Name], Senior Editor
Every week, headlines highlight famous names like Michael Saylor, David Bailey, Anthony Pompliano, and Jack Mallers as they announce their companies are buying billions worth of bitcoin. Even Wall Street giants and public companies are getting in, with both excitement and skepticism swirling across the crypto world. Yet, for all this shopping spree, the price of bitcoin seems to be stuck, barely moving.
What’s Really Happening Behind the Scenes?
A simple tweet asking why “companies are buying billions of dollars of bitcoin every week and the price is virtually unchanged over the last 6 months” touched a nerve. It got more than 800,000 views and over 1,300 replies—a sign that everyday folks and lifelong fans are puzzled by the same mystery.
Even Peter Schiff, who is famously suspicious about bitcoin, joined the online conversation. He suggested that the “whales” (very large holders of bitcoin) are selling their old coins to these newcomers, cashing out profits while the price stays stable.
But there’s more to the story, as explained by SightBringer, a popular macro analyst. Here’s how the puzzle pieces line up:
Big Money Is Hoarding Real Bitcoin—But Not On Public Markets
First off, when companies like BlackRock and Fidelity buy bitcoin, they’re often not trading on the open market. Instead, they’re using Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs). These ETFs buy real, physical bitcoins (not just promises on paper), and then stash them away safely, often in cold storage outside of regular exchanges.
- ETF flows have been massive in 2025, with billions moving into these funds.
- Bitcoins bought this way are removed from the supply that ordinary traders see.
- Less bitcoin available means fewer wild swings—for now.
Most Bitcoin Trades Aren’t Real—They’re Just IOUs
On popular crypto exchanges, many trades don’t involve actual bitcoin. Instead, buyers and sellers are shuffling around “IOUs”—paper promises rather than coins you can withdraw and touch. This makes the market look bigger and busier than it really is.
- If everyone tried to take out their bitcoins at once, some exchanges might not have enough to give everyone their coins.
- The trading is “fractional,” kind of like how some banks don’t hold all your cash in the vault at once.
Whales Are Quietly Feeding the Market—Keeping Prices Calm
Early miners and giant investors aren’t selling their holdings in ways that would draw a crowd. Instead, they sell quietly, using private, over-the-counter (OTC) trades. This avoids huge price jumps and gives new big investors what they want. In April alone, whales reportedly absorbed more than 300% of the newly mined supply, making bitcoin even scarcer for small buyers (source).
Why The Quiet Approach?
- By moving coins quietly, established holders keep the price stable.
- This gives big firms time to increase their holdings without sparking panic buying or frenzied trading from the public.
Big Shots Want Less Drama: Why Volatility Is Calmer
Large investment funds and corporations prefer things not to be too crazy. They need steady prices so they can figure out taxes, accounting, and regulations. Imagine being responsible for a billion-dollar balance sheet—it helps when prices move slowly, not by hundreds of dollars in a single day.
- Funds like BlackRock want a calm market that behaves more like gold than a lottery ticket.
- Stability helps more traditional investors feel comfortable as they join in.
The Secret: Delayed Price Action?
Some experts argue that all this careful accumulation is by design. As SightBringer put it, “The real breakout is being delayed… because once this thing moves, it won’t come back.” In other words, once prices start to climb, the move may be fast, and those out of position could miss out. That’s why smart money is loading up now “before the train leaves the station.”
Who’s Keeping Prices in Check—and Why?
In a market where so much money is flowing in behind the scenes, some suggest there are powers trying to keep prices steady—at least until they’ve built their positions. When the big institutions are satisfied, only then might the price be set free to move much higher.
What Should Ordinary Bitcoin Fans Do?
- Stay informed about how institutional money is changing the market.
- Remember that not all trading volume you see reflects real bitcoin moving hands.
- Watch for signs that the suppressed volatility is breaking—these could be big clues for the next major price move.
- If you buy, think like an institution: focus on the long term, not quick wins.
Final Thoughts: The Calm Before the Storm?
While the headlines about corporate and Wall Street buying make everything seem straightforward, the true story is much more complex. Most of the action happens behind closed doors, using private deals and complex funds. All of this is helping bitcoin to grow up as an asset—but also making it harder to read for the average person.
The next time you wonder why bitcoin isn’t rocketing higher despite billions being poured in, remember: silence and stillness in the market often mean something big is brewing beneath the surface. In the end, the influence of big investors isn’t just about price—it’s about making bitcoin more mature, more credible, and possibly preparing for its next big leap.
Related reading: Billions in corporate buys can’t budge Bitcoin on CryptoSlate
also read:How to Trade Bitcoin and Ethereum with Coin-Margined Perpetual Contracts on BloFin