114,000 BTC withdrawn from exchanges in 2 weeks: what is happening?

Bitcoin is reaching for the stars at $125,000… and leaves a question hanging: how far will it go? While some await $150,000, a discreet but massive phenomenon is stirring behind the scenes of the market. Crypto platforms are seeing their reserves melt away before their eyes. More than 114,000 BTC have been withdrawn in two weeks. Is this merely a windfall effect… or the start of a real strategic shift?

Crypto platforms are draining their bitcoin

Since late September, more than $14 billion in BTC has left centralized exchanges or CEX. A historic number: exchange reserves have fallen to 2.45 million BTC, their lowest level since 2017 according to CryptoQuant. And this, while bitcoin has broken new heights beyond $125,000. This paradox raises questions.

Far from being a simple leak, this hemorrhage reflects a growing conviction: that bitcoin deserves to be held, not sold. The BTC are not disappearing; they are migrating to personal wallets and cold storage solutions. This signals confidence in long-term value rather than an intent to sell in the short term.

For market players, this visible rarity could trigger a supply “squeeze” against growing demand.

In short, this is not disinterest. It is a strong signal of strategic accumulation, especially from long-term holders.

Bitcoin: between supply shortage and rush to ETFs

The decline in available supply on crypto exchanges is accompanied by another trend: the massive transfer to bitcoin spot ETFs. These financial products, now listed on Wall Street, have recorded over $5 billion in inflows since September. On October 6 alone, $1.2 billion flowed into these funds.

Why does this matter? Because these ETFs do not redistribute the BTC back to the market. They immobilize them. Result: fewer bitcoins are circulating, increasing the tension between supply and demand.

According to analyst OnChainSchool:

Remarkably, this trend is developing even as bitcoin has just reached a new all-time high, indicating that investors are withdrawing their coins from platforms despite high prices. Such behavior usually reflects confidence in long-term value and reduced short-term selling pressure, reinforcing the idea that large holders continue to accumulate rather than distribute. 

Source: CryptoQuant

The supply shortage therefore does not come from a bug but from a major repositioning of investors.

Crazy numbers and strong signals: what do the indicators say?

Everything indicates that the crypto ecosystem is entering a new era of organized scarcity, where supply becomes a strategic lever.

Focus on 5 key data points:

• 114,000 BTC withdrawn from exchanges in 14 days: more than $14 billion;
• Exchange reserves at 2.45 M BTC, a 7-year low;
• $1.2 billion inflows into ETFs in a single day (October 6);
• The 12 US bitcoin spot ETFs collectively hold 1.3 million BTC;
• Withdrawals exceed 7,500 BTC per day, an average never seen since 2022.

In response to this movement, market voices are heating up. Shaun Edmondson, crypto analyst, alerts on X: “These numbers of US spot Bitcoin ETF purchases are completely crazy, both yesterday’s and the last five business days’. These amounts really make your head spin. Take some / take yours while there’s still some left”.

A frenzy? Maybe. But the numbers don’t lie: pressure is building.

Even if crypto exchanges are dry, there are still bitcoins to be bought. For newcomers, how and where to buy bitcoin? Several solutions already exist: secure platforms, direct purchases, mobile apps. The breach is open. But in this context of programmed scarcity, it’s better to act before the market closes at a new level.