As the cryptocurrency market continues to display volatility, a growing trend highlights the strategic moves of crypto whales—investors holding large amounts of digital assets—amid retreating retail participation. This shift underscores significant market divergence as whales accumulate cryptocurrencies including Ethereum (ETH), Chainlink (LINK), and Bitcoin (BTC). Here’s an in-depth look at what’s happening and what it could mean for the market.
Ethereum Staking Hits Milestone
Ethereum’s staking ratio reached an all-time high of 30% this week, with over $120 billion worth of ETH now staked on the network. Notably, crypto mining firm Bitmine Immersion recently added approximately $279.4 million worth of Ethereum (86,848 ETH) to its staking pool. This brings its total staked amount to 1.77 million ETH, valued at $5.65 billion. This institutional move reflects increasing confidence in the Ethereum network.
Furthermore, a newly created wallet withdrew $10 million in Ethereum from a crypto exchange, indicating strong belief in ETH as a long-term investment. As Jimmy Xue, COO of quantitative yield protocol Axis, explained, “Institutions primarily lock funds to reduce available liquidity on exchanges, effectively altering the supply-demand balance… Acquiring a significant stake also allows these entities to participate in network governance.”
Chainlink and Whale Accumulation
The top 100 Chainlink whales have been strategically accumulating LINK tokens since November 2025. During this time, LINK’s price has remained stable around $13. Over 16.1 million LINK tokens have been acquired in just two months, according to on-chain analytics reports. As retail investors sell off LINK due to fear and uncertainty, whales are leveraging this opportunity for accumulation.
Market intelligence platform Santiment notes, “As retail sells off due to impatience and FUD (fear, uncertainty, doubt), it’s common to see smart money gather more LINK to prepare for—or even trigger—the next market rally.” The strategy highlights the stark contrast in behavior between long-term and short-term market participants.
Bitcoin Demand from Institutional Investors
Bitcoin also continues to attract institutional demand. Over the past year, more than 577,000 BTC—valued at $53 billion—has been added to U.S. custody wallets holding between 100 and 1,000 BTC. This influx demonstrates growing interest from high-net-worth investors seeking to capitalize on Bitcoin’s long-term potential.
Despite these underlying accumulation trends, short-term price action remains turbulent. Ethereum is currently trading at just under $3,100, having dropped 3.3% in 24 hours, while Bitcoin and Chainlink also face similar headwinds. However, the surge in whale activity could indicate a foundation being built for a future rally.
What to Expect Moving Forward
According to analysts, the ongoing divergence in retail and institutional activity often signals a transfer of assets from short-term traders to long-term holders. While this can suggest a potential market floor, it’s also important to note that the trend isn’t an absolute guarantee of a bullish reversal.
If you’re navigating these market shifts, staying informed is key. Tools like the Ledger Nano X hardware wallet can help you secure your investments as you strategize for the future. With cryptocurrency markets influenced by whale activity, now could be the time to re-evaluate your own positions and long-term goals.
