[Metrics] BTC on Exchanges Drops to Lowest Level Since 2018 — What It Means

The percentage of BTC held on centralized exchanges has dropped to 7.53%, the lowest level since 2018.

This reflects a growing trend: investors are increasingly moving their BTC off exchanges and into self-custody — a strong signal of long-term conviction.

Less BTC on exchanges = less sell pressure. When coins are moved to cold storage, they’re much harder to sell on the spot, reducing immediate supply and lowering the risk of sharp price drops.

This decline in exchange reserves also points to rising institutional interest and more secure long-term custody solutions. It’s becoming clear that more participants now treat BTC as a store of value, not just a speculative asset.

Historically, such trends have aligned with bullish market phases.

Let’s see if history repeats itself.