3 Crypto Whale Maneuvers that Made Traders Panic

Jakarta, Pintu News – In the crypto market, big moves from whales – individuals or institutions holding massive amounts of assets – often trigger panic among retail traders. Bitcoin whales, for example, have been known to make transfers to exchanges worth US$4-5 billion, leading to speculation of a major sell-off. This article discusses three whale maneuvers that traders should keep an eye on!

Bulk Transfer to Centralized Exchange

Whales moving assets to exchanges is often taken as a signal that they are preparing to sell. Data shows that since the end of July 2025, Bitcoin whales have transferred between US$4 billion and US$5 billion to exchanges. This action creates concern as liquidity in the market increases suddenly, which could trigger selling pressure and price drops.

An increase in inflows to the exchange usually signals a potential distribution of assets by large holders. Retail traders who notice this pattern often choose to take risk-off positions, as supply pressure increases while demand does not necessarily rise. Understanding this pattern helps mitigate the psychological impact of volatility spikes.

Also read: 10 Crypto DEXs That Could Potentially Rise by 2026

Dormant Wallet Activation

One notable instance was when a cryptocurrency wallet that had been dormant for over 14 years “woke up” again and moved nearly US$469.8 million worth of assets in Bitcoin. Due to the wallet’s long history, the market interpreted this move as a signal that a large whale might make a significant move.

This kind of maneuver creates a shock effect on the market as the presence of a large asset suddenly moving is perceived as a potential “pending sell pressure”. Unprepared traders can get caught in a panic if the action is followed by heavy selling that triggers a quick correction.

Also read: 6 “Red Flag” Coin Memes to Avoid Before Getting Rugpulled

Asset Rotation from Bitcoin to Ethereum or Other Assets

Whale not only sells, but also rotates assets, indicating a major change in investment preferences. For example, whales have been known to move hundreds of millions of dollars from Bitcoin to Ethereum – one of which was recorded at US$433 million in a single transaction. Such large-scale fund shifts signal that key players may be seeing potential in assets other than Bitcoin or preparing for a Bitcoin correction phase.

These allocation changes are often followed by a market reaction: transaction volumes and liquidity change, and unanticipated retail traders can be left behind. Observing asset rotation by whales can help traders identify trend shifts early and adjust strategies accordingly.

Conclusion

Crypto whales have a significant influence on market dynamics. Three important maneuvers – mass transfers to exchanges, activation of old wallets, and asset rotation – often trigger panic among retail traders. By monitoring these patterns, traders can increase preparedness and take more informed positions. While not all whale maneuvers end in price crashes, awareness of their actions remains important in managing risk and responding to market changes.

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*Disclaimer

This content aims to enrich readers’ information. Pintu collects this information from various relevant sources and is not influenced by outside parties. Note that an asset’s past performance does not determine its projected future performance. Crypto trading activities have high risk and volatility, always do your own research and use cold cash before investing. All activities of buying and selling bitcoin and other crypto asset investments are the responsibility of the reader.

Reference

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