Bitcoin whales realized approximately $156 million in profits and reduced their holdings by 8,162 BTC within 24 hours, adding pressure to the cryptocurrency's key support levels, according to on-chain data shared by analyst Ali Charts.

The holdings reduction was worth around $664 million, and the analyst said it suggests large holders were cutting exposure ahead of the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) decision. (X post) Whale accumulation and distribution are among the most closely watched on-chain signals, since moves by the largest holders can shift how much bitcoin is actively circulating in the market.

Ali Charts identifies $81,000 as the market's key support, with $77,000 and $67,000 below it, while reclaiming $84,500 could open the way toward targets at $92,000 and $104,000. Meanwhile, analyst Darkfost reports that short-term holders' average unrealized profits have fallen to 5.5% from around 20%.

Whale Selling and Weaker U.S. Demand Weigh on Bitcoin

Bitcoin faces renewed downside risks following the Federal Reserve's decision, with Ali Charts pointing to whale profit-taking and weakening U.S. demand. The Coinbase Premium Index fell to approximately -0.17, one of its lowest readings since September. A negative premium means Bitcoin trades cheaper on Coinbase than on Binance, indicating weaker relative demand from U.S. investors.

Ali Charts also noted that Bitcoin's first-hour response to tracked FOMC meetings has often remained below 1%, although a clearer direction tended to emerge within 24 hours and frequently persisted a week later. Markets largely expect the Fed to hold rates steady, while a possible December rate hike remains in focus.

Bitcoin rose 1.36% over the period, from approximately $80,628 to $81,721, but the $81,000 level remains critical support.

$81,000 and $84,500 Define Key Price Levels

Bitcoin's immediate support sits near $81,000, where nearly one million BTC previously changed hands, according to URPD data cited by Ali Charts. URPD, or UTXO Realized Price Distribution, is an on-chain metric that maps how many coins last moved at each price level, which is why zones with heavy realized supply are often treated as potential support or resistance. If that level breaks, the analyst is watching $77,000 next, followed by $67,000.

To strengthen the bullish case, Bitcoin needs to reclaim $84,500, a level where approximately 620,000 BTC previously traded. Beyond it, $92,000 and $104,000 have been identified as subsequent targets.

Short-Term Holder Profits Fall to 5.5%

Darkfost reported that short-term Bitcoin holders — typically defined as wallets that received their coins within the past 155 days — have remained profitable on average for almost two months. Their estimated cost basis stands at $76,500, leaving average unrealized profits at 5.5% — a sharp decline from approximately 20% less than a month earlier.

Darkfost noted that the last comparable profit level occurred shortly before Bitcoin's October 2025 peak, after which the market consolidated as short-term holders realized profits. He identified $76,500 as a potential support level where short-term holders could defend their average entry price.