Ripple whales bought an additional 160 million $XRP over the weekend

Whales are making waves in the crypto market, signaling the potential for a major bull run ahead. In early December 2024, whale activity surged across several altcoins, particularly those linked to enterprise and government use cases, with XRP and HBAR standing out as top picks. ADA has also seen a notable price increase during this time. With the recent surge in whale activity, many are now wondering about the XRP price prediction after whale buy events and how this could shape the market’s trajectory. What does this mean for retail investors? How might the crypto market evolve after Trump takes office? And which coins should you keep on your radar? Let’s break it down.

The beginning of December 2024 showed significant whale buying across various altcoins, especially XRP, leading to the coin’s price increases and boosting market confidence. This activity suggests that large investors are preparing for possible future gains, which could affect market trends moving forward.

The Santiment chart's shaded area reflects the total number of XRP tokens held by wallets classified as 'large holders (1,000,000 to 10,000,000 XRP). A spike in this value suggests  increased asset accumulation typically achieved through strategic purchases or asset transfers, which can reduce circulating supply and impact liquidity.

As of December 10, 2024, Ripple whales' accumulation includes a significant 160 million XRP purchase during the fall, valued at approximately $380 million, driving strong bullish momentum. XRP prices have surged an impressive 430%, hitting levels not seen since 2018. The rally kicked off in early November, influenced  by renewed investor confidence after the Republican victory in the U.S. elections alongside growing institutional adoption and improved regulatory clarity surrounding XRP. Tokens linked to U.S.-based companies, like XRP, gained traction, driving substantial interest from institutional and retail investors alike.

There is increasing optimism in the crypto community Ripple may settle its ongoing SEC lawsuit. As market conditions shift, investors are hopeful that a potential Trump administration could lead to a favorable resolution for the company and its legal battle with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Hedera (HBAR)

No surprise that other altcoins also experienced significant whale buying activity over the same period of time. Hedera, in particular, has seen notable accumulation from both small and large holders, signaling growing confidence in its enterprise and government-use case potential.

The chart above highlights various Hedera accounts holding 1,000+, 10,000+, 100,000+ tokens, and more. The consistent upward trend across all account categories suggests steady accumulation since early October, likely in anticipation of a bullish market. This trend may be linked to expectations of a bullish market, likely fueled by increased enterprise adoption of Hedera’s network and growing interest in its energy-efficient consensus mechanisms for government use cases.

This accumulation aligns with HBAR’s price surging by 47% to reach a seven-month high of $0.253. At the same time, trading volume skyrocketed by 323% to approximately $3.46 billion, signaling strong market interest and increased investment activity.

Cardano (ADA)

The chart above highlights various ADA whale accounts holding between 100,000,000 and 1,000,000,000 tokens. A slight dip in mid-November indicates possible profit-taking, but the overall upward trend in holdings aligns with ADA’s price rally during this period, reinforcing the influence of whale activity on market dynamics.

This is further supported by a robust price rally from mid-November 2024, when Ada climbed from approximately $0.60 to a peak of around $1.40 in early December—a remarkable gain of over 130%. The rally coincided with heightened market activity, with trading volume increasing substantially during this period.

What Whale Movements Signal for Retail Investors

Whale activities—such as accumulating, selling, or transferring assets—can significantly influence market trends. For example, large inflows to exchanges often correlate with selling pressure, while withdrawals may signal long-term holding. These movements often indicate shifts in market confidence, strategic accumulation, or preparation for broader trends, influencing both retail and institutional investors. Significant inflows to exchanges could signal selling pressure, while withdrawals may suggest long-term holding. Whales also tend to accumulate assets during market dips, potentially signaling long-term value. Monitoring these activities can help identify underlying market signals, such as potential regulatory or technological changes, and offers insights into supply and liquidity, aiding in more informed trading decisions.

The CryptoQuant chart tracking XRP Ledger Whale Inflows to exchanges indicates heightened activity, which may suggest that whales are preparing to sell. This is particularly evident as these inflows often align with price rallies, indicating that whales may be looking to capitalize on higher prices. Data also reveals that XRP whale activity—measuring the movement of large wallet funds to and from exchanges—remained consistently elevated throughout November, reaching levels several times higher than any previous period.

So, are whales gearing up to take profits after Trump’s win? Most likely, yes. However, a broader analysis of the market and additional supporting data is essential to confirm this trend. If whales are preparing to sell, it could lead to increased market volatility and  short-term price drops, especially for assets with concentrated holdings. Retail investors should monitor whale activity closely and consider implementing risk management strategies, such as stop-loss orders or diversifying portfolios, to navigate potential price fluctuations.

Important: Not Investment Advice!

Remember, trading, investing and buying crypto involves risks. This information is intended for educational purposes only. Conduct your own research, consider your situation and goals and check with investment professionals before making any decisions.