Why Are Bitcoin (BTC) and Other Crypto Prices Going Up?

Bitcoin, and many other major cryptos are currently in green. At the time of writing, tokens like XRP and SUI are printing double figures, outperforming many other crypto assets at the top of the market cap spectrum. Screens look optimistic and price charts feel lively, yet the move has not come out of nowhere.

Market action looks a little excited on the surface. Onchain data, however, adds another layer to the story. Analytics platform Santiment shared details that help explain why Bitcoin and crypto prices have been climbing, even while broader sentiment remains cautious.

• Santiment Onchain Data Points To A Quiet Shift Under The Surface
• Why Whale Accumulation And Retail Profit Taking Can Support Prices
• Bitcoin Strength Is Fueling Broader Crypto Momentum
• Michael Saylor And Strategy Keep Bitcoin In Focus
• Hype Around Crypto Stories Is Adding To Market Energy

Santiment Onchain Data Points To A Quiet Shift Under The Surface

Santiment explains that crypto markets often follow the behavior of whales and shark wallets rather than smaller retail holders. Since December 17, wallets holding between 10 and 10K Bitcoin have added 56,227 BTC to their balances. That accumulation phase coincided with what turned out to be a local bottom for the market.

Prices did not surge immediately. Markets stayed relatively flat for a while, which made the move easy to miss. Santiment described this as a bullish divergence building quietly beneath the surface. When large holders continue accumulating while prices stall, pressure tends to build. Once that pressure releases, even a modest breakout can look sudden.

Recent data added another twist. Retail wallets holding less than 0.01 BTC started taking profit over the past 24 hours, acting on fears of a bull trap or short-term rally failure. Santiment notes that this behavior often improves market conditions rather than weakening them. When whales accumulate and retail steps back, the setup historically leans bullish.

Why Whale Accumulation And Retail Profit Taking Can Support Prices

Santiment categorizes market phases by how whales and retail wallets behave relative to each other. The current setup places the market in a green zone, where whales are accumulating and retail behavior remains uncertain or defensive.

This dynamic matters because large holders typically move with longer time horizons. Retail traders often react faster to short term price swings. Santiment suggests that when whales add exposure while retail trims risk, the probability of broader market cap growth increases, even if that growth remains uneven.

Nothing in crypto stays fixed for long. Santiment also cautions that these zones can last weeks or only a few days. Whale behavior can change quickly, which is why monitoring wallet movements remains important for understanding short term price direction.

Bitcoin Strength Is Fueling Broader Crypto Momentum

Bitcoin testing $94K has become one of the most discussed themes driving current crypto prices. BTC broke above $93K earlier in 2026 and began pressing into resistance near $94K as institutional interest picked up.

BTC Price Chart

Macroeconomic signals added fuel. The US ISM Manufacturing PMI dropped to 47.9, pointing to economic contraction. Risk assets often respond positively to such data, and crypto has followed that pattern so far. Bitcoin strength tends to spill over into large caps like XRP and SUI, which explains why those tokens are outperforming within the top tier of the market.

Market participants are watching whether Bitcoin can hold above this zone. Sustained strength could support continued upside across crypto, while rejection could cool momentum temporarily.

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Michael Saylor And Strategy Keep Bitcoin In Focus

Another headline adding weight to Bitcoin’s move came from Michael Saylor. Strategy Inc. purchased 1,287 BTC, lifting its total holdings to 673,783 Bitcoin valued around $50.55 billion.

The company also increased its USD reserves to $2.25 billion, even after reporting a $17.44 billion unrealized loss in Q4 2025. Strategy’s continued accumulation reinforces the narrative that large institutions still see long-term value in Bitcoin, regardless of short-term price swings.

This type of headline does not drive price on its own, yet it contributes to the broader backdrop supporting Bitcoin and crypto prices.

Hype Around Crypto Stories Is Adding To Market Energy

Santiment also highlighted the crypto related stories generating the most attention as markets gained steam. Alongside Bitcoin testing $94K and Strategy boosting BTC holdings, other narratives are circulating.

A recent Ledger data breach through payment processor Global-e has renewed discussions around security and self custody. Oil market volatility tied to US military action in Venezuela pushed stocks like Chevron and ExxonMobil higher, adding to cross market risk conversations. Whales moving into memecoins such as FARTCOIN, PENGU, and USELESS also reflect rising risk appetite during the current altcoin rally.

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These stories do not directly explain price action, yet they shape sentiment and keep crypto firmly in focus as traders navigate shifting conditions.

Bitcoin and crypto prices are going up, yet the tone feels more measured than euphoric. Santiment’s data suggests accumulation started quietly weeks ago, long before recent green candles appeared. Retail profit taking alongside whale accumulation places the market in a historically favorable zone, even if that setup remains fragile.

Price action over the coming days will depend on whether large holders maintain conviction and whether Bitcoin can hold key levels. For now, the market feels driven less by hype and more by positioning beneath the surface, which makes this phase worth watching closely as the story continues to unfold.