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Bitcoin retail inflows to Binance have dropped sharply in 2025, setting a new record low. According to data from CryptoQuant, daily BTC inflows from retail investors have fallen to just 411 BTC. This is a sharp decline compared to December 2022, when inflows totaled 2,675 BTC per day. Experts point to a structural change in market behavior rather than a simple pullback.

Shrimps’ Bitcoin Withdrawals Highlight Decrease in Retail Activity

The decline in Bitcoin inflows is largely attributed to the activity of retail investors, or “shrimps.” Shrimps are entities holding less than 1 BTC, equivalent to approximately $90,000. CryptoQuant’s data reveals that these small Bitcoin holders are withdrawing from the market. This withdrawal is more pronounced than during the 2022 bear market, with daily inflows now at one of their lowest levels ever recorded.

“In December 2022, shrimp inflows to Binance were about 2,675 BTC per day,” said Darkfost, a contributor to CryptoQuant. “Today, those inflows have collapsed to just 411 BTC.”

This shift signals a deeper, structural decline in retail investor participation in the Bitcoin market.

Whale vs. Retail Delta Shows Bullish Signals Despite Retail Retreat

While retail investor activity has waned, the comparison between whales and retail traders paints a different picture. The Whale vs. Retail Delta indicator shows whales are heavily positioned in long Bitcoin trades. Joao Wedson, CEO of Alphractal, noted that the delta is higher than ever before. Historically, such positioning by whales has been a precursor to Bitcoin price bottoms.

Whale vs. Retail Delta shows that, for the first time in Bitcoin’s history, whales are this heavily positioned in longs compared to retail traders.

Whenever these levels got this high in the past, we saw local bottoms forming — but also large positions getting liquidated.… pic.twitter.com/jMKuBXqHNK

— Joao Wedson (@joao_wedson) November 24, 2025

Despite the downturn in retail inflows, whale positioning remains strong, potentially signaling price stabilization.

“Whenever these levels got this high in the past, we saw local bottoms forming,” Wedson commented.

This trend suggests that while retail investors remain on the sidelines, whale activity is a positive signal for the market’s future.

Bitcoin ETFs Contribute to Retail Investor Shift

The rise of Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) has played a role in this retail shift. ETFs, such as BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT), provide a simpler way for retail investors to gain exposure to Bitcoin.

“ETFs have provided a frictionless way to gain exposure to Bitcoin without dealing with private keys,” Darkfost explained.

This ease of access has led many retail investors to move away from directly buying Bitcoin. In November, IBIT saw outflows of $2.3 billion, reflecting a broader trend in retail investor behavior. While ETFs are not the sole reason for the decline, they clearly contribute to the shift in how retail investors engage with Bitcoin.

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