Bitcoin (BTC) reached a notable high of $94,000 on Monday despite ongoing geopolitical instability in Venezuela. This upward momentum occurred without the typical signs of investor fear, as indicated by recent on-chain data analysis.
Key analytics from CryptoQuant demonstrate that there was no significant surge in netflows of Bitcoin moving into exchanges. Netflow metrics typically signal whether traders are opting to place more Bitcoin on exchanges, which can be a precursor to selling, or removing their holdings, indicating a preference to hold. The absence of a rise in these inflows suggests that market participants are currently maintaining their positions rather than liquidating assets in response to the situation in Venezuela.
This pattern aligns with Bitcoin’s historical reactions to previous regional conflicts, such as the war in Ukraine and tensions in the Middle East. During those events, Bitcoin’s price showed brief periods of volatility but did not experience prolonged selling pressures. Since the start of 2023, financial markets, including cryptocurrencies, have demonstrated increasing robustness against localized military disturbances.
Typically, Bitcoin exhibits stronger reactions to broad systemic risks, like global economic crises, significant regulatory developments, or impositions of capital controls. From available data and market indicators, the turmoil within Venezuela appears to be contained at this stage. On-chain signals point more toward cautious investor positioning rather than an active exodus of capital from Bitcoin.
Separately, intelligence reports cited by Bitcoin Archive suggest that Venezuela has secretly amassed a substantial reserve of Bitcoin and USDT (Tether) as a mechanism to circumvent international sanctions. These accumulations reportedly began around 2018, initially using gold exports and later involving revenues from oil.
These trades were allegedly processed through intermediaries and settled via over-the-counter (OTC) cryptocurrency channels instead of traditional financial routes. By the end of 2025, it is claimed that approximately 80% of Venezuela’s oil trade transactions were denominated in USDT and subsequently converted into Bitcoin holdings.
In aggregate, the flow of gold and oil exports potentially corresponds to holdings exceeding 600,000 BTC. This volume would position Venezuela among the largest institutional holders globally and substantially surpass the Bitcoin reserves held by El Salvador, a nation known for its substantial cryptocurrency holdings.
If these Bitcoin reserves exist in the estimated amounts and were ever confiscated, the likely outcome would be a freezing of those assets rather than outright liquidation. Such an event could reduce the Bitcoin circulating supply on the market, a factor that may contribute to a longer-term bullish outlook for the digital currency’s price.
In related market movements, Bitcoin recently reclaimed the $92,000 level while other cryptocurrencies like Ethereum and XRP also recorded appreciable gains, with spikes around 2%. These shifts reinforce a period of positive momentum across major digital assets despite ongoing geopolitical concerns in specific regions.