Bitcoin Whale Buying & Transactions Update – 28 Jan 2026

Crypto whale transactions update with Bitcoin whale icon and CoinSwitch branding - January 2026

The market looks calm today, but the positioning underneath tells a more interesting story. Whale exposure remains slightly net-short, but not aggressively bearish. This is the kind of market where price can stay range-bound for hours and then move sharply once liquidity builds up.

Today’s whale transactions show that large players are still hedging, trimming risk, and selectively taking profits. That combination typically signals a market in transition, where short-term moves can be noisy but key levels still matter.

Crypto Whale Positions Summary

MetricValue
Total Position$5.71B
Long Position$2.75B (48.11%)
Short Position$2.96B (51.89%)

Quick read: Whales remain slightly net-short. This indicates downside risk is still present, but it does not reflect a panic-driven sell environment.

Margin Summary

MetricValue
Total Margin$698.68M
Long Margin$396.56M (56.76%)
Short Margin$302.12M (43.24%)

Quick read: Long margin remains higher than short margin, even while overall positions lean short. This suggests that leveraged participants are still trying to position for upside moves, but they are doing it in a market where shorts still dominate.

Profit & Loss Summary

MetricValue
Total PnL$64.43M
Long PnL-$90.12M
Short PnL$154.55M

This remains one of the strongest signals. Shorts are still making money while longs are under pressure. The market has rewarded bearish setups more consistently than bullish breakouts.

Latest Bitcoin Whale Activity (Market Mood)

AddressSymbolActivityPositionPriceTime
0xf9109a…0a2dSOLClose Long$24.71M$126.9911:44
0xa00db2…46f8BTCClose Long$5.88M$89,258.414:25

Two important observations stand out.

First, a whale closed a sizable SOL long. Closing a long at this size often signals either profit-taking after a run, or reduced confidence in immediate upside. Since SOL is typically a high-beta coin, whales trimming exposure here can reduce risk appetite across the altcoin segment.

Second, a whale closed a BTC long near $89K. That’s a key zone because Bitcoin around this level often becomes a battleground between short sellers and dip buyers. Closing a long does not mean whales are bearish on Bitcoin, but it does suggest they are de-risking and waiting for clearer confirmation before adding more exposure.

Long/Short Trader Ratio (Retail Mood)

MetricValue
Long Traders35,979
Short Traders17,966
Long/Short Trader Ratio2.0026

Retail traders remain heavily long-biased. This matters because markets often move against crowded positioning. When long participation is dominant while whale positioning remains net-short, the market becomes vulnerable to liquidation-driven dips, sudden wick-downs, and false breakouts.

Top 5 Whale Trades (Size & Direction)

UserSymbolSidePositionQuantity
0xb317..aeETHLong$636.11M212.72K ETH
0x9eec..abETHLong$170.92M57.16K ETH
0x7fda..d1ETHShort$100.23M33.51K ETH
0x20c2..f5ETHShort$91.42M30.57K ETH
0xd475..91ETHShort$79.96M26.73K ETH

Headline: ETH remains the main whale battleground. There are still large ETH longs, but the short side is stacked as well. This setup typically produces volatility rather than smooth directional moves.

Top 5 Whale Positions (PnL & Leverage)

UserPnL ($/%)Entry PriceLiq. PriceLeverageMargin
0xb317..ae-$33.85M / -5.32%$3,149.42$2,2445× Cross$127.22M
0x9eec..ab-$11.44M / -6.69%$3,190.28$2,64215× Cross$11.39M
0x7fda..d1+$3.49M / +3.48%$3,094.85$3,97715× Cross$6.68M
0x20c2..f5+$3.87M / +4.23%$3,117.03$3,86425× Cross$3.65M
0xd475..91+$6.55M / +8.20%$3,235.91$3,97715× Cross$5.33M

What stands out is that ETH longs are still underwater while ETH shorts remain profitable. This is consistent with the overall PnL skew, where shorts continue to outperform.

What This Means for Long vs Short Sentiment

The market remains in a short-favored environment, but with signs of cautious de-risking rather than aggressive selling. Whale positioning is slightly net-short, retail is crowded long, and shorts continue to generate the majority of profits. That combination often leads to choppy price action, sudden volatility spikes, and liquidity hunts before the market picks a clearer direction.

Coins to Watch Today

Bitcoin (BTC): BTC remains the market’s steering wheel. With whales closing longs near $89K, this zone is still critical. If BTC holds and reclaims strength, sentiment can shift quickly. If BTC breaks lower, shorts may regain control.

Ethereum (ETH): ETH continues to be where whale conviction and hedging collide. The market is likely to remain volatile until ETH reclaims stronger resistance zones and underwater longs regain breathing room.

Solana (SOL): The SOL whale closing a long is notable because SOL is often a leader in risk-on rotations. If SOL weakens further, it can drag altcoin sentiment lower even if BTC remains stable.

Conclusion

Today’s whale data points to a market that is still slightly bearish in positioning, with profits heavily skewed toward shorts. However, whales are not pressing risk aggressively. Instead, they are closing longs and trimming exposure at key levels, suggesting a wait-and-watch approach.

For traders, this is a market where patience matters. Avoid chasing breakouts, respect volatility, and watch how BTC behaves around the $89K zone. If whales shift from closing longs to opening new ones at support, the next move can flip quickly. If not, shorts remain in control.

Disclaimer: Crypto products and NFTs are unregulated and can be highly risky. There may be no regulatory recourse for any loss from such transactions. The information provided in this post is not to be considered investment/financial advice from CoinSwitch. Any action taken upon the information shall be at the user’s risk.

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