6 Facts about Crypto Whale Moving to Digital Gold: Rp300 Billion Loss on Ethereum a Turning Point?

Updated
January 5, 2026

Jakarta, Pintu News – The crypto market is again highlighting the movements of large investors after one Ethereum (ETH) whale reportedly realized a loss of around USD18 million or the equivalent of IDR300.7 billion. The event attracted attention as the funds were later diverted to digital gold-based assets. On-chain data cited by international media shows this change in strategy occurred amid uncertainty in the global cryptocurrency market.

1. Ethereum’s Big Losses Trigger Strategy Change

The loss of around USD18 million (equivalent to IDR300.7 billion) occurred after the whale closed out Ethereum (ETH) positions that were previously built up in several large transactions. This information was provided by a NewsBTC report that referenced on-chain tracking data. The losses were incurred in a relatively short period of time when the ETH price moved lower.

According to NewsBTC’s analysis, the whale previously accumulated more than 31,000 ETH with a value of around USD110 million. However, the volatility of crypto prices caused the value of the portfolio to drop significantly. This data shows how cryptocurrency market fluctuations can have a huge impact even on well-capitalized investors.

Also Read: 2026, a Hopeful Year for Solana: Predictions and Challenges

2. Switching Funds to Digital Gold Assets

After realizing losses, the whale shifted most of its funds to assets that are considered more stable. NewsBTC noted that the ETH proceeds were allocated to blockchain-based stablecoins and gold tokens. One of the assets purchased was Tether Gold, which represents physical gold in the crypto ecosystem.

According to the same report, digital gold purchases were made through several separate transactions. The total purchase reached thousands of gold token units with a value of more than USD14.5 million or around Rp242.2 billion. This move is considered an effort to reduce exposure to cryptocurrency volatility.

3. Stablecoins as a Capital Parking Lot

In addition to digital gold, the whale also increased its holdings of stablecoins such as USDT and USDC. NewsBTC mentioned that stablecoins were chosen because of their relatively stable value against the US dollar. In the crypto context, stablecoins are often used as temporary capital parking.

On-chain data shows that the share of stablecoins in the whale’s portfolio increased significantly after the ETH sale. This move reflects a common defensive approach by large investors when markets are volatile. The information was compiled based on analysis of publicly available blockchain transactions.

4. Signals of Sentiment Change in the Crypto Market

The whale’s move from Ethereum to digital gold is seen as a signal of caution, not panic. NewsBTC emphasizes that this move has more to do with risk management than a prediction of a long-term decline in ETH. In the history of the cryptocurrency market, changes in asset allocation often occur when volatility increases.

According to the report, whale decisions do not necessarily reflect the sentiment of the entire market. However, the movements of large investors are often psychological indicators for other market participants. This data shows the importance of monitoring on-chain activity in crypto analysis.

5. Contrast with Other Large Investors

Interestingly, not all large investors took similar steps. NewsBTC noted that while the whale was selling ETH, another entity was accumulating Ethereum. This suggests that there are different views on the cryptocurrency’s medium-term prospects.

These different strategies confirm that the crypto market is heterogeneous. Each investor has different risk tolerance and goals. This information reinforces the view that a single event cannot be used as a single reference for the entire market.

6. Implications for Cryptocurrency Dynamics Going Forward

This event gives an idea of how digital gold assets are starting to play a role in crypto diversification. NewsBTC mentioned that gold tokens have the potential to be a defensive alternative amid volatility. However, their role is still limited compared to mainstream assets like Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH).

In the context of cryptocurrency education, this case highlights the importance of risk management. Available data and analysis show that even whales are not immune to heavy losses. Therefore, understanding market structure and diversification remain key factors in the crypto ecosystem.

Also Read: Ripple’s (XRP) Big Breakthrough in 2026, Are You Ready?

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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 are subject to high risk and volatility, always do your own research and use cold hard cash before investing. All activities of buying andselling Bitcoin and other crypto asset investments are the responsibility of the reader.

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