Bitcoin demand from large institutional players is dramatically outpacing new supply hitting the market. Throughout 2026, these major buyers have accumulated around 30,000 BTC—roughly six times the 5,700 bitcoin generated through mining during the same period.

This divergence tells an interesting story. On one side, miners continue their steady daily work producing fresh coins. On the other, institutional capital is gobbling up supply at a pace that suggests serious conviction about the asset's direction.

When buying pressure runs this far ahead of production, it typically signals tight market conditions. Every newly mined coin gets absorbed quickly, and institutions are reaching back into existing holdings or OTC channels to fill their orders. That kind of demand profile historically correlates with price stability or upside momentum, though past patterns don't guarantee future results.

The ratio itself—6 to 1—deserves attention from anyone tracking where smart money is positioning itself.