On-chain data reveals a growing divide in the crypto market: while retail “weak hands” continue to sell under pressure, institutional whales are aggressively accumulating Ethereum, Chainlink, and Bitcoin.
This strategic accumulation by large-scale holders stands in stark contrast to the recent wave of retail-driven sell-offs, suggesting that big money is positioning itself for the long haul.
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Ethereum Staking Hits Milestone as Institutional Confidence Soars
According to Token Terminal, Ethereum’s staking ratio hit a fresh milestone on Monday, reaching 30% with over $120 billion worth of ETH locked on the network. This all-time high signals a robust institutional vote of confidence in Ethereum’s long-term value proposition.
Data from Arkham Intelligence highlights a massive move by crypto mining firm Bitmine Immersion, which staked an additional 86,848 ETH ($279.4 million) on Tuesday. This brings the firm’s total holdings to a staggering 1.77 million ETH, valued at approximately $5.65 billion. Meanwhile, a newly created “fresh wallet” withdrew $10 million worth of ETH from an exchange—a classic “strong buy” signal for the leading altcoin.
Tightening the Supply: Strategic Accumulation
“Institutions are effectively locking up exchange liquidity,” Jimmy Xue, co-founder of Axis, told Decrypt. “By taking supply off the table, they are shifting the supply-demand balance, which could amplify the impact of any future demand spikes.” Xue also noted that these large stakes grant institutions significant leverage in network governance and protocol upgrades.
Smart Money Pivots to Chainlink
The accumulation trend isn’t limited to Ethereum. Chainlink’s top 100 whales have snatched up 16.1 million LINK since mid-November 2025, when prices were hovering around $13. Santiment noted on Tuesday that this is a textbook market cycle: “While retail sells out of impatience and FUD (Fear, Uncertainty, and Doubt), we’re seeing ‘smart money’ load up on LINK to prepare for the next leg up.”
Market Divergence: Retail vs. Whales
CryptoQuant data shows a clear split in market participation. Since mid-December, spot market order sizes have been dominated by whale activity, while retail traders remain largely confined to the higher-risk derivatives and futures markets.
Jimmy Xue suggests this divergence marks a transfer of assets from short-term “paper hands” to long-term “HODLers,” often signaling a potential market bottom. However, he cautioned that this doesn’t always guarantee an immediate reversal, as it could also reflect inventory management by market makers.
Institutional Hunger for Bitcoin Shows No Signs of Slowing
Bitcoin is also seeing a massive institutional influx. CryptoQuant CEO Ki Young Ju pointed to significant growth in U.S. custodial wallets, which typically hold between 100 and 1,000 BTC. “Over the past year, 577,000 BTC—valued at roughly $53 billion—has been added to these wallets, and the inflows are still going strong,” Ju tweeted on Tuesday.
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