Bitcoin faces liquidity test after $760M Binance inflow

• Lyla Velez
• February 21, 2026
• News
• 0 Comments

Key Points:

• Garrett Jin-linked whale transferred significant BTC to Binance, igniting sell-off concerns.
• Timing coincides with U.S. tariff worries, potentially thinning liquidity and volatility rising.
• Exchange deposits imply possible selling, but impact depends on execution and liquidity.

A large Bitcoin wallet linked to trader Garrett (also spelled Garett) Jin moved a significant tranche of BTC to Binance, renewing discussion about near-term Bitcoin sell-off risk. The timing overlaps with market concern around new U.S. trade tariffs, a backdrop that can thin liquidity and elevate volatility.

Exchange deposits by whales can precede selling, but they do not prove it. The impact on price depends on whether those coins hit the order book, the pace of execution, and how much liquidity stands ready to absorb supply.

What happened: 11,318 BTC moved to Binance

According to CryptoBriefing, Jin moved 11,318 BTC (about $760–761 million) to Binance in two legs: 6,318 BTC (roughly $425 million) and an earlier transfer near 5,000 BTC valued around $335–349 million (https://cryptobriefing.com/bitcoin-whale-moves-binance/). The total size and proximity of the transfers focused attention on potential near-term market impact.

Editors note that coverage has tied the move to tariff-driven risk sentiment. as reported by CoinGape, analysts said it is not yet clear whether the transfer signals an imminent sale and noted that some deposits are routine for liquidity, hedging, or portfolio needs (https://coingape.com/bitcoin-sell-off-ahead-garett-jin-moves-760m-btc-to-binance-amid-trumps-new-tariffs/). “Movements to exchanges often raise concern but can also be routine for liquidity, hedging, or portfolio management,” as reported by CoinGape.

Market structure: order-book depth, liquidity, and sell pressure

Exchange inflows can increase potential sell pressure, but realized impact hinges on order-book depth and execution strategy. As reported by BlockchainReporter, analysts are watching whether buyers absorb overhead supply or whether supports are retested if liquidity thins (https://blockchainreporter.net/bitcoin-and-ethereum-under-pressure-as-crypto-insider-garrett-jin-offloads-nearly-900-million/). If orders are sliced and timed into liquid windows, slippage can be minimized; if not, thin books can magnify downside.

Macro context matters. As covered by Ainvest, tariff uncertainty typically coincides with a risk-off tilt, which can curb risk appetite and reduce resting bids across crypto order books (https://www.ainvest.com/news/bitcoin-falls-tariff-threats-geopolitical-tensions-spur-risk-sentiment-2601/). In such conditions, the same notional sell flow can travel further through price levels.

Microstructure has also been cited by market participants. Weex reported that Jin attributed recent underperformance in BTC and ETH to a deleveraging cycle and market structure frictions, suggesting reactive rather than anticipatory flows (https://www.weex.com/news/detail/garrett-jin-btc-eth-underperform-other-risk-assets-due-to-deleveraging-and-market-structure-issues-327217). At the time of this writing, Bitcoin (BTC) trades around $67,848, providing context for where liquidity may cluster near spot.

Interpretations vary on intent. After elevated exchange inflows, some desks look for actual sell prints, not just deposits. As noted by HokaNews, “deposits to exchanges often suggest intent to sell, especially in large size, but follow-through in the tape is what confirms pressure” (https://www.hokanews.com/2026/02/bitcoin-whale-garrett-jin-moves-335.html).