A shrimp is a small cryptocurrency holder in the marine-animal vocabulary used to describe ownership sizes. The label contrasts with a whale, which refers to a large holder. It describes position size in a particular asset, not a person's overall wealth, experience, or ability to make good decisions.
A cohort, not a universal rule
In Glassnode's Bitcoin supply-distribution framework, shrimps are entities holding less than 1 BTC. That is an analytical convention, not a Bitcoin protocol rule or a threshold that automatically applies to other tokens. Reports may classify addresses or estimated entities, so the methodology matters.
For example, an entity holding 0.4 BTC fits that specific cohort even if it owns substantial assets elsewhere.
Interpreting small-holder data
An increase in shrimp balances can help describe how holdings are distributed, but does not by itself establish a price trend. A person may control multiple addresses, and an exchange address may pool many customers' funds. Transfers, address splitting, and movement between size categories can affect the numbers. Cohort statistics therefore need consistent definitions before they can support comparisons over time.