Since Tesla's $1.5 billion Bitcoin purchase in February 2021, the number of wallets holding over 1,000 BTC has been steadily declining.
The approval of spot Bitcoin ETFs briefly spiked whale wallet counts, but the growth was short-lived.
Despite Bitcoin's mainstream adoption and price rallies, the number of large wallets has shown minimal growth.
This trend raises questions about whether Tesla's Bitcoin purchase marked a broader shift in how large holders engage with the market.
Factors like a more diversified investor base, increased use of custodial services, or splitting coins across addresses could explain the stagnation in whale accumulation.
Bitcoin's price hitting new highs contrasts with the evolving makeup of its largest holders.
This shift may have long-term implications for market dynamics.