Important takeouts:
Bitcoin (BTC) retailers are usually known for entering the market during periods of happiness, with strong monthly profits or new history’s highest altitude. The same goes for this time, while Bitcoin approached $104,000 on May 14th, general public interest and retail activities continue to be delayed.
Analysts estimate that in 2025 retail investors are BTC’s biggest net sellers and institutions are the leading buyers. However, if the historic pattern holds, a surge in retail appetite could occur around a week after Bitcoin exceeds $109,350.
According to River estimates, individual investors sold a total of 247,000 BTC throughout 2025. This amounts to $23 billion based on average prices over the period. Meanwhile, Michael Saylor’s strategy accounted for 77% of the 157,000 BTC acquired by the company that year.
Bitcoin retail interest is approaching a six-month low
Current search trends for the term “Bitcoin” were last seen in June 2024, when BTC was trading around $66,000 after not exceeding $73,000 for three months.
Similarly, the Coinbase app ranks 15th in the US app store within the financial category, which can be compared to the 20th place ranking in June 2024 based on data from the block.
Demand last peaked on November 15th, 2024, if “Bitcoin” mobile app rankings and Google search trends act as proxy for retail interests. At the same time, search activities have skyrocketed to the highest levels for over two years.
Retailer excitement coincided with Bitcoin’s previous record high of $73,757 on November 6, 2024, bringing excitement to its peak nine days later. Retailers missed out on most of their profits from the $67,000 level a month ago, but the bullish trend persisted as Bitcoin had surged to $107,000 by mid-December 2024.
Related: Bitcoin Bulls are aiming for a new all-time high by next week as capital inflows surge
Buying the best bitcoin ever is the best strategy
A comparable surge in retail demand occurred on March 9, 2024, when the Coinbase app rose from 35th to the fourth download in the US Finance category just two weeks ago. At the same time, in 20 months, Google search interest for “Bitcoin” reached its highest level in 20 months, about six days after Bitcoin closed its previous record at $68,000 a day since November 2021.
The rise in retail profits in March 2024 continued to rise by 56% in just 30 days, with BTC rising from $43,100 to $68,100. In contrast to the November 2024 breakout, there was a volatile price movement over the next seven months, with Bitcoin struggling to maintain its level above $70,000. Retailers tend to respond to previous highest highs, but this often means they missed most of the benefits.
Net leaks from retail investors are 5.5% below Bitcoin’s search trends for “Bitcoin” and rankings for Coinbase apps by 5.5%.
This article is for general informational purposes and is not intended to be considered legal or investment advice, and should not be done. The views, thoughts and opinions expressed here are the authors alone and do not necessarily reflect or express Cointregraph’s views and opinions.
