The Bitcoin market is once again drawing the attention of investors around the world. On April 22, spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded the largest inflow of funds since January, while long-term BTC holders — who hadn’t moved their coins in over seven years — suddenly became active amid growing macroeconomic uncertainty. All signs point to increasing interest in crypto and the potential beginning of a new accumulation phase.
Spot ETFs See Record Inflows
On April 22, total inflows into spot Bitcoin ETFs reached a staggering $936.4 million — the highest since January 21. For comparison, the previous day saw “just” $381.4 million in inflows.
Since their launch, these ETFs have attracted a cumulative $36.69 billion, and assets under management (AUM) have surpassed $103.34 billion. Three key players led the charge:
– ARKB by ARK Invest & 21Shares — $267.1 million
– FBTC by Fidelity — $253.8 million
– IBIT by BlackRock — $252.9 million
Analysts link this strong momentum to political and economic shifts: Donald Trump softening his stance on Chinese import tariffs and Jerome Powell’s reappointment as Federal Reserve Chair, which eased some market tensions.
Long-Term BTC Holders Wake Up
Amid the ETF boom, another significant shift occurred in the Bitcoin network: approximately 62,800 BTC, untouched for over seven years, suddenly began moving during Q1 2025.
By comparison, only 28,000 BTC moved during the same period in 2024 — representing a 121% increase in activity. The analysis excluded 141,000 BTC moved to Mt.Gox in May 2024, offering clearer insights.
According to CryptoQuant, this type of behavior is typical during periods when long-term investors begin reassessing their strategies. Possible reasons include:
– Stock market instability
– Shifting macroeconomic expectations
– Institutional players seeking more liquidity
BTC Dormant for 7–10 Years Also Stirring
Another notable spike in activity: 1,057 BTC, inactive for 7–10 years, were moved in April 2025 alone.
Experts believe this was triggered by panic in the stock market following Trump’s statement about new tariffs. Some holders likely opted to prepare for potential downturns by transferring assets to more liquid wallets or exchanges.
BTC Exchange Outflows Highest Since 2023
CryptoQuant also reported that April saw the highest BTC outflows from centralized exchanges since February 2023. This is typically interpreted as the beginning of a new accumulation phase, when investors withdraw assets for cold storage.
The fewer coins left on exchanges, the higher the likelihood of price increases — especially with institutional demand rising through ETFs.
Market Primed for the Next Move
The combination of record ETF inflows, reactivation of long-dormant BTC, and large-scale exchange outflows points to mounting pressure in the market and a possible lead-up to the next bull rally.
Long-term holders are moving, funds are building positions, and macroeconomic conditions are reigniting interest. The only question is: when will it all ignite?
If the trend continues, Q2 2025 may become one of the most volatile and profitable quarters in Bitcoin’s history.
