The cryptocurrency market is buzzing with anticipation as the January US Consumer Price Index (CPI) report looms. With inflation expected to remain steady following November’s cooling data, all eyes are on the Federal Reserve’s next move. Against this backdrop, crypto whales—investors who hold significant amounts of cryptocurrency—are already positioning themselves, showcasing selective trading behaviors rather than broad risk-taking.
Crypto Whales Accumulate Maple Finance (SYRUP)
Among the cryptocurrencies gaining traction, Maple Finance (SYRUP) is emerging as one of the favorite picks for whales. Over the last 24 hours, SYRUP whale wallets have added 480,000 tokens, equivalent to approximately $0.19 million at current prices. This continues a broader 30-day trend, where whale balances have surged by 718%, highlighting sustained interest.
From a technical standpoint, SYRUP is seeing bullish momentum. Key exponential moving averages (EMAs) indicate a strengthening trend, with the 20-day EMA crossing above the 50-day and 100-day EMAs. The next resistance barrier rests at $0.40, and a breakthrough could potentially push prices toward $0.46 and even $0.50 if momentum holds. However, investors should consider the downside risks, with levels below $0.36 signaling potential caution.
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Chainlink (LINK): Slow and Steady Accumulation
Chainlink (LINK) is another crypto asset quietly grabbing attention. Crypto whales have increased their LINK holdings by $6.6 million within 24 hours, reflecting careful accumulation amidst limited rate-cut expectations for early 2026. Chainlink’s relevance stems from its core position in the real-world asset narrative, which remains robust as the broader market leans toward blockchain-based infrastructure solutions.
Technically, a double-bottom formation on the 12-hour chart signals seller exhaustion, with momentum building above the $13.50 resistance. A break above $14.90 could open doors to $15.50 and later $17.01. However, a drop below $12.90 might weaken recovery signs, with $11.70 being the critical support level to watch.
Polygon Ecosystem Token (POL): Shifting Behavior
In contrast, the Polygon ecosystem token (POL) is experiencing reduced whale interest. Despite posting a strong 20% weekly rally, whales holding 10 million to 100 million tokens have cut back significantly, reducing their holdings by 3.02 million POL in the past 24 hours. This pullback comes after a sharp early January rally and signals caution ahead of the CPI release.
The price action showcases a potential bullish flag structure. However, recent selling pressure has been aggressive, and indicators like On-Balance Volume (OBV) suggest weaker buying interest. Losing the $0.14 support level risks a trendline breakdown, with downside expectations toward $0.11 or even $0.09. For upside continuation, the price must regain $0.16.
Why Monitoring Whale Behavior Matters
Crypto whales are strategic market movers whose actions can often signal overarching trends ahead of significant events like the January US CPI report. As inflation data remains pivotal, understanding their buying and selling patterns can provide meaningful insights into developing narratives and risks in the crypto market.
Whether it’s Maple Finance’s steady accumulation, Chainlink’s quiet positioning, or Polygon’s reduced exposure, these trends underline how selectivity is shaping whale strategies in a macro-sensitive environment.
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