Data from early 2026 reveals a significant and coordinated shift in altcoin holder behavior, with average daily deposits to centralized exchanges climbing to 49,000 transactions. This marks a 22% increase from the fourth quarter of 2025, when the average stood near 40,000. The trend, highlighted by analytics from sources like Coin Bureau, is observed across major platforms including Binance, Bybit, OKX, and Coinbase.
Historically, a sustained rise in exchange inflows is viewed as a leading indicator of potential sell pressure. When holders move assets from private cold wallets to exchanges, those tokens become immediately liquid, increasing the available supply on order books. Analysts note that this activity typically signals preparation for selling, profit-taking, or hedging against anticipated volatility, rather than long-term storage.
The increase suggests a change in market sentiment beneath the surface. The coordinated nature of the 22% jump points to a broader catalyst, potentially including macroeconomic uncertainty, fluctuating Bitcoin dominance, or a desire to lock in profits from earlier rallies. This behavior often aligns with distribution phases in market cycles, where investors who accumulated at lower prices begin to offload holdings.
The data shows a steady climb from an average of 35,000 daily deposits in Q2 2025 to approximately 44,000 in Q3 2025, before the recent surge to 49,000 in early 2026—the highest level observed. Analysts warn that if demand cannot absorb this increased supply, it could lead to heightened downside volatility, especially for altcoins which typically have a higher beta than Bitcoin. Traders are advised to monitor exchange balances, funding rates, and spot volumes for confirmation of distribution momentum.
