Crypto Whales Divided: Sell-Offs and Strategic Buys Amid Tariff-Induced Market Turmoil

As fresh global tariff policies rattle investor confidence, the cryptocurrency market is reeling under pressure, triggering a wave of volatility and panic. Amid the downturn, crypto whales—major holders of digital assets—are split in their response: while some rush to liquidate holdings, others are doubling down, seizing what they see as a prime buying opportunity.

Market Nosedives Under Geopolitical Pressure

Cryptocurrency markets have entered a sharp downward spiral following the announcement of new global tariffs, igniting fears of broader economic instability. Over the past 24 hours, Bitcoin fell by 5.75%, slipping below $75,000, while Ethereum plunged 9.36%, breaking through the $1,400 level.

Liquidation data from Coinglass underscores the fragility of the current environment. If Bitcoin falls beneath the $74,000 support line, analysts warn that over $950 million in buy orders could be triggered across centralized exchanges—a sign of cascading sell pressure. Meanwhile, the Crypto Fear and Greed Index has dropped into “Extreme Fear” territory, reflecting heightened anxiety across the sector.

Whale Sell-Offs Reveal Deepening Concern

In the midst of the market chaos, some whales are offloading massive holdings to reduce exposure or avoid forced liquidations. Notably, a major Ethereum holder dubbed the “Long ETH Whale” offloaded 5,094 ETH, incurring losses exceeding $40 million in the process.

The trend extends across other assets as well. Meme token trading platform Pump.fun sold 84,358 SOL at around $105 per token, while WLFI—an asset tied to Donald Trump—liquidated 5,471 ETH near $1,465.

Adding to the turmoil, a group dubbed the “7 Siblings” reportedly sold MakerDAO’s MKR tokens, though they retain over 6,000 MKR in reserve. Elsewhere, three whale wallets jointly unstaked 168,498 SOL worth nearly $18 million, while another whale withdrew 4,000 ETH from ether.fi and transferred it to Binance—an indication of anticipated further declines.

These large-scale movements highlight a risk-off mindset among prominent investors as macroeconomic uncertainty grows.

Strategic Accumulation Signals Contrarian Optimism

Despite widespread selling, not all whales are abandoning ship. Some appear to be positioning themselves for a potential recovery. According to blockchain analytics firm IntoTheBlock, centralized exchanges saw net Bitcoin outflows exceeding $220 million yesterday—typically a bullish signal as coins are moved into cold storage.

In one instance, a single whale purchased 4,677 ETH for nearly $7 million at an average price of $1,481, betting on Ethereum’s long-term value. Additional data shared by analyst Ali revealed that as Bitcoin briefly rebounded to $81,200 from a low of $74,500, the network recorded 1,715 transactions exceeding $1 million—evidence of increased institutional or whale activity.

These signs of “smart money” accumulation suggest some major players believe the worst may soon be over.

What’s Next: Further Fallout or the Start of a Rebound?

With crypto markets tightly intertwined with global macro events, much now hinges on geopolitical developments—particularly ongoing tariff negotiations.

If Bitcoin fails to maintain support above $74,000, analysts warn that cascading liquidations could drive the price even lower, possibly pushing Ethereum toward the $1,250–$1,300 range.

However, should whale accumulation continue and market sentiment improve, we could see a reversal. A return of Bitcoin to $80,000 and Ethereum above $1,500 is not out of the question—especially if signs emerge of economic stabilization.