Bitcoin ‘Shrimps’ Hit Record 1.31 Million BTC Holdings as Retail Accumulation Surges
The smallest Bitcoin holders — commonly referred to as “shrimps” — have quietly achieved a major milestone. On-chain data from Glassnode shows that wallets with less than one BTC now hold a record total of 1.31 million Bitcoin.
Retail Investors Keep Buying the Dip
The shrimp cohort has been steadily increasing its holdings throughout 2023, adding an average of 26,000 BTC every month. This accumulation trend mirrors patterns seen during the previous bear market, when small investors consistently bought Bitcoin despite falling prices.
Glassnode data reveals that since July 2020, only about 3.9% of trading days have shown greater monthly growth in holdings among shrimps. This indicates that retail participants are taking advantage of lower prices to strengthen their positions in the market.
Confidence in Bitcoin’s Long-Term Future
Analysts view the rising number of small Bitcoin holders as a sign of long-term confidence in the cryptocurrency’s future. The growing decentralization of holdings helps stabilize the network and reduces reliance on large whale investors.
As seen in previous accumulation cycles, spikes in small wallet activity often precede broader bullish movements in Bitcoin’s price.
Retail Growth Strengthens Network Health
The continued expansion of retail-held wallets highlights increasing accessibility to Bitcoin and broader adoption of self-custody. On-chain data suggests these holders are less likely to sell during periods of volatility, providing a steadying effect on market structure.
With 1.31 million BTC now in the hands of retail users, the “shrimp” cohort’s growth reinforces Bitcoin’s foundational principle: a decentralized network powered by thousands of individual participants, not a few dominant entities.
