Key Highlights
- Bitcoin traders’ on-chain unrealized profit margin has climbed to 33%, its highest level since December 2024.
- Investors realized 25,700 BTC in profits on September 22, the largest single-day profit-taking event recorded in 2026.
- CryptoQuant identified potential Bitcoin support near $80,000, $71,000 and $67,000 if a correction develops.
Bitcoin Profit-Taking Reaches a 2026 High
Bitcoin traders’ on-chain unrealized profit margin has risen to 33%, according to CryptoQuant data, marking its highest level since December 2024. The increase means investors holding profitable Bitcoin positions have accumulated a substantial amount of unrealized gains, a condition that can increase selling pressure if market participants decide to lock in profits.
CryptoQuant analysts noted that comparable levels of unrealized profit have historically been followed by increased profit-taking. Signs of that behavior may already be emerging: Bitcoin investors realized profits totaling 25,700 BTC on September 22. CryptoQuant said this was the highest amount of profit-taking recorded in a single day in 2026, indicating that some market participants have used the price increase as an opportunity to sell.
Altcoin Exchange Deposits Surge
The report also highlighted a sharp increase in activity involving altcoins being sent to cryptocurrency exchanges. Over a seven-day period, the activity reached 76,000 transactions involving 51,000 different investors.
Those figures represent the highest levels recorded since October 17, 2025, which was 11 days after Bitcoin reached its previous all-time high. CryptoQuant said that significant increases in deposits to exchanges often suggest investors are preparing to sell or distribute their holdings, although the data does not establish that every deposit will result in an immediate sale.
Bitcoin Demand Indicators Weaken
Bitcoin’s demand indicators are also showing signs of weakening. Visible demand in the spot market has declined by 170,000 BTC over the past 30 days, while growth in speculative demand from futures markets has slowed substantially.
Futures-market demand stood at 164,000 BTC on September 14, but the latest data puts it at only 16,000 BTC. The sharp reduction indicates considerably less momentum in speculative futures demand compared with the level recorded earlier in the period.
Bitcoin Support Levels to Watch
CryptoQuant identified several support levels that traders may monitor if Bitcoin enters a correction. The first significant support level is the 365-day moving average at approximately $80,000. Below that, the 200-day moving average is positioned near $71,000, while an on-chain price level being monitored by traders is around $67,000.
Why This Matters
The combination of elevated unrealized profits, record 2026 daily profit-taking, increased altcoin exchange deposits and weaker Bitcoin demand indicators points to a market in which investors may be becoming more willing to reduce exposure. CryptoQuant’s data does not confirm that a correction will occur, but it identifies several conditions that could contribute to additional selling pressure if demand continues to weaken.
The listed moving averages and on-chain price level provide reference points for assessing market support during any potential decline. Traders will likely continue watching realized profits, exchange deposit activity and demand in both spot and futures markets for evidence of whether the weakening trend is temporary or broadening.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Bitcoin’s current on-chain unrealized profit margin?
According to CryptoQuant data, Bitcoin traders’ on-chain unrealized profit margin has risen to 33%, the highest level since December 2024.
How much Bitcoin profit was realized on September 22?
Bitcoin investors realized profits totaling 25,700 BTC on September 22, the highest single-day profit-taking amount recorded in 2026.
What Bitcoin support levels is CryptoQuant monitoring?
CryptoQuant identified potential support near $80,000 at the 365-day moving average, around $71,000 at the 200-day moving average and approximately $67,000 at an on-chain price level monitored by traders.
This is not investment advice.