- Bitcoin holders were accumulating in the 3-6 month UTXO range.
- HODLing behavior amidst correction suggests healthy consolidation.
Amid the ongoing market correction, Bitcoin [BTC] holders are demonstrating remarkable resilience, with a significant rise in the percentage of coins held for 3 to 6 months.
The growing trend of accumulation reflects patterns seen during previous market bottoms. This indicates that the current correction may represent a healthy consolidation phase rather than the beginning of a prolonged bear market.
As Bitcoin’s circulating supply continues to decline due to increased HODLing, demand is expected to rise gradually. This could pave the way for a potential price surge soon.
3-6 month UTXO surge: A closer look
A striking uptick in the percentage of Bitcoin held in the 3-6 month UTXO age band is beginning to mirror past accumulation phases that historically preceded major bullish reversals.
According to the latest data, this segment of holders – representing investors who acquired BTC within the last 90 to 180 days – has been rising sharply since late 2024.
Source: CryptoQuant
As shown in the chart, the teal-colored band (3–6 months) is expanding, a pattern last seen during the post-2022 correction and again during mid-2021.
In both cases, these instances marked the final stages of bearish phases, often leading to renewed market strength. The current surge suggests that more investors are holding onto their recent BTC purchases, showing resilience and resisting the urge to sell despite the ongoing correction.
HODLing psychology
At the core of this trend lies a psychological commitment from investors. The act of holding through volatility – commonly dubbed “HODLing”- reflects more than passive behavior. It signals conviction.
For 3-6 month holders, who entered positions during recent market highs or sideways action, the decision to hold suggests they are either long-term believers or see the current dip as temporary noise.
This group plays a unique role in market cycles. Unlike traders or short-term speculators, mid-term holders are often strategic accumulators, using downturns to build positions.
Their actions demonstrate a shift in mindset: from reactive selling to proactive patience. It’s almost like an emotional pivot that strengthens Bitcoin’s foundational support.
When these holders transition into long-term categories (6-12 months and beyond), they often become price-insensitive, further reducing sell pressure in future corrections.
Are long-term holders behind the supply squeeze?
Accumulation reduces Bitcoin’s circulating supply. When large groups of holders refuse to sell, even amid falling prices, it creates a latent supply squeeze.
As 3-6-month holders transition into long-term holders (LTHs), they become the most resilient participants in Bitcoin’s ecosystem. Historically, LTHs have been key to every Bitcoin recovery, holding through bear markets and anchoring supply scarcity during bull runs.
This recurring pattern in Bitcoin’s history involves intense accumulation during corrections, followed by tightening supply and then sharp price increases as demand returns.
The recent rise in 3-6 month UTXOs indicates that Bitcoin is once again in the accumulation phase of this familiar cycle.
