Big wallets are making moves. While most traders sat out the late-November chop, crypto whales quietly accumulated three specific altcoins.
The timing matters. These buys happened during price stabilization, not panic selling. Plus, the accumulation patterns show up across multiple whale cohorts, which means this isn’t just one player making a bet. It’s coordinated confidence.
Let’s break down what the smart money is buying and why these three tokens could move higher in December.
Ethena Whales Added 1.1 Million Tokens During a 21% Rally
Most investors sell into strength. Crypto whales buying Ethena (ENA) did the opposite.
ENA jumped 21.3% over the past seven days. Instead of taking profits, large holders increased their positions by 2.84%. That translates to roughly 1.1 million additional tokens flowing into whale wallets, bringing their total to about 39.88 million ENA.
Even the mega whales joined in. The top 100 addresses raised their balances by 0.35%, adding close to 50 million ENA. When whales buy into an already strong week, it usually signals they expect more upside ahead.
Here’s what makes this accumulation interesting. ENA still trades within a symmetrical triangle on the 12-hour chart. The buyers and sellers are locked in a standoff. But the key level to watch is $0.28.
Every rally attempt since November 25 has failed at that barrier. However, a clean daily close above $0.28 could unlock moves toward $0.30, possibly even $0.32. That’s the breakout level whale buyers seem to be positioning for.
The risk? If ENA loses $0.27 support, it could slip under the lower triangle boundary. That opens a path back toward $0.21, especially if whale demand cools off. So far, though, the accumulation pattern suggests these holders are betting on the breakout, not the breakdown.
XRP Whales Bought $2.4 Billion Worth During Late November
XRP showed the most aggressive whale accumulation of the three tokens. Two major cohorts went on a buying spree through the final week of November.
The largest holders—wallets carrying over 1 billion XRP—added about 150 million XRP since November 25. At current prices near $2.20, that equals roughly $330 million in fresh exposure.
But the 10-100 million cohort went even harder. This group accumulated around 970 million XRP since November 23, worth nearly $2.13 billion. Combined, these whale wallets brought in about 1.12 billion XRP in just one week.
What makes this buying pattern notable is the timing. XRP gained more than 16% during this same period. So these whales weren’t buying weakness or catching a falling knife. They added to strength, which typically signals conviction that more upside is coming.
The technical setup backs that view. XRP has defended $1.77 support for nearly two months. That level got tested twice—on October 10 and again in late November—forming an early double-bottom structure. That base now acts as the foundation for any December rally.
For upside continuation, XRP needs to break $2.30. That resistance has rejected every rally attempt since November 15. A daily close above that zone unlocks $2.45 and $2.61, where the next clusters of supply sit.
The downside risk is clear. If XRP falls below $2.11, the bullish structure breaks down. A deeper retest of $1.81 becomes likely. But that scenario only plays out if whale accumulation flips back to distribution. Right now, the flow is all one direction.
Cardano Whales Picked Up 280 Million ADA in Three Days
Cardano (ADA) made the list because crypto whales started rotating into large caps again after XRP. Two key cohorts began buying during the final stretch of November.
The largest holders—wallets with over 1 billion ADA—started adding on November 24. Since then, they’ve accumulated 130 million ADA. The 10-100 million group joined two days later and has added 150 million ADA. Both cohorts turned net positive within days, showing fresh conviction even as ADA trades near recent lows.
With ADA near $0.41, this combined whale accumulation represents a meaningful amount of capital returning to the market. The buying also came during a mild recovery. ADA posted a 5% week-on-week gain, which makes the pickup more notable.
The 12-hour chart shows a standard bullish divergence. Between November 4 and November 21, the price reached a lower low while the RSI (Relative Strength Index) reached a higher low. This type of divergence often signals that a trend reversal is forming beneath the surface.
Early signs of that shift have already appeared. But for ADA to build real strength in December, it needs a solid candle close above $0.43. A break above that level opens a path toward $0.52, which would flip the short-term structure bullish.
The risk is simple. If ADA loses $0.38, the bullish setup weakens and the reversal signal may fail. So far, though, whale accumulation suggests these holders are betting on the breakout scenario.
Why Whale Accumulation Matters More Than Retail Sentiment
Retail traders follow price. Whales create price.
When large holders accumulate during stabilization rather than panic, it signals they see value others are missing. Plus, whale buying tends to precede major moves because these wallets have the capital to absorb supply and push prices higher.
The patterns across ENA, XRP, and ADA show similar behavior. Whales added during strength, not weakness. They accumulated while prices consolidated, not when they crashed. And in each case, the buying came from multiple cohorts, not just one player.
This coordinated accumulation suggests December could bring follow-through. But the key levels still matter. ENA needs $0.28. XRP needs $2.30. ADA needs $0.43. Break those barriers, and whale conviction could turn into broader market momentum.