Definition ∞ An on-chain accumulation phase denotes a period during which a significant number of digital assets are being transferred from exchanges to private wallets, suggesting long-term holding rather than immediate selling. This activity is observed directly on the blockchain, indicating a collective decision by market participants to retain assets. It often precedes potential price appreciation due to reduced selling pressure.
Context ∞ Analysts frequently cite on-chain accumulation phases in market reports as a bullish indicator for digital asset prices. News articles often highlight these periods as evidence of strong investor conviction despite prevailing market conditions. Monitoring these on-chain metrics helps to gauge the underlying supply and demand dynamics beyond immediate trading volumes.