Bitcoin Supply on Exchanges Slides to Three-Year Low

Supply is likely dropping as traders and investors increasingly choose to self custody bitcoin holdings amid regulatory and exchange risks.

AccessTimeIconJun 14, 2023 at 10:33 a.m. UTC
Updated Jun 14, 2023 at 5:03 p.m. UTC
10 Years of Decentralizing the Future
May 29-31, 2024 - Austin, TexasThe biggest and most established global hub for everything crypto, blockchain and Web3.Register Now

Bitcoin supply on crypto exchanges has slipped to its lowest levels since February 2018, data from on-chain analytics firm Santiment shows.

A large drop came recently after the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) accused major exchanges Binance and Coinbase of offering unregistered securities to U.S. customers – with 6.4% supply leaving exchanges in the past week.

Supply has been steadily falling since 2020 when it peaked in the depths of a then-bear market, the data shows. This suggests traders and investors have been continually taking their bitcoin off exchanges in favor of self-custody, as per Santiment.

Edited by Oliver Knight.

Disclosure

Please note that our privacy policy, terms of use, cookies, and do not sell my personal information has been updated.

CoinDesk is an award-winning media outlet that covers the cryptocurrency industry. Its journalists abide by a strict set of editorial policies. In November 2023, CoinDesk was acquired by the Bullish group, owner of Bullish, a regulated, digital assets exchange. The Bullish group is majority-owned by Block.one; both companies have interests in a variety of blockchain and digital asset businesses and significant holdings of digital assets, including bitcoin. CoinDesk operates as an independent subsidiary with an editorial committee to protect journalistic independence. CoinDesk employees, including journalists, may receive options in the Bullish group as part of their compensation.

Shaurya Malwa

Shaurya is the Deputy Managing Editor for the Data & Tokens team, focusing on decentralized finance, markets, on-chain data, and governance across all major and minor blockchains.


Learn more about Consensus 2024, CoinDesk's longest-running and most influential event that brings together all sides of crypto, blockchain and Web3. Head to consensus.coindesk.com to register and buy your pass now.