Crypto whales are being cautious while taking positions ahead of the US CPI data, and the moves are not one-sided. Inflation is expected to be 3.1% year-on-year for November; core CPI is hovering around 3.0%. On the other hand, labor market data continues to weaken. This scenario divides the markets between expectations of new easing with interest rate cuts postponed to 2026.
Therefore, large investors are trying to protect their risks with three different strategies. Some are opening positions despite strong rallies, while a group is selling during rallies. The latest example reveals a significant internal conflict among whale groups.
Pippin (PIPPIN) price and current analysis
Before the U.S. CPI data, if you are tracking which crypto whales are accumulating which coins, Pippin (PIPPIN) stands out as a net example of accumulation.
Whales increased their PIPPIN holdings by 12.34%, raising their total balance to 410.56 million PIPPIN. During this process, they acquired approximately 45 million more PIPPIN. At the current price, this accumulation is worth nearly $19 million.
Would you like to see more analyses of such tokens? You can subscribe to Editor Harsh Notariya's Daily Crypto Bulletin here.
There are a few important details: These purchases are continuing without pause. Even in the last 24 hours, there is a slight increase in whale balances. This behavior indicates a preference for position buying rather than short-term trading.
The price structure also helps us better understand the confidence of whales.
Pippin saw a brief peak at an all-time high (ATH) on December 16 and continues to trade just below that region. The token remains within an upward flag formation. This structure typically breaks upward if the overall sentiment in the market is supportive. Whales also seem to be playing into such a scenario and are predicting that if neutral or slightly soft CPI data comes in, expectations for interest rate cuts will last until 2026.
The most critical resistance level above is $0.52. If the daily close comes clearly above this level, the PIPPIN price will enter a new discovery phase and pave the way for a higher rise from current levels.
The risks for potential pullbacks are clearly defined. If $0.22 is lost, the formation will break, and the bullish scenario will weaken. A sharper decline could pull the price down to $0.10, and this level will be where the bullish expectation becomes completely invalid.
Overall, Pippin is exhibiting a selective risk appetite. Whales are opening positions in bullish-supported technical structures but only act before significant macro data that could turn the conditions in their favor.
Maple Finance (SYRUP) current price and market data
On the selling front, Maple Finance (SYRUP) presents a very different picture.
SYRUP increased by approximately 4% in the last 24 hours and by 5% over the past week, showing relatively good performance despite the weak overall market. However, price strength became a selling opportunity for whales.
The SYRUP whale balance peaked at 507.83 million on December 15. Since that date, balances have dropped to 502.37 million. This means whales sold approximately 5.46 million SYRUP in a few days. This translates to about $1.5 million in realized sales.
Indeed, the decrease in whale supply while the price rises is an important signal. Especially such divergences are noteworthy before critical macro data like CPI.
From a chart perspective, SYRUP formed a lower peak between November 24 and December 18. During the same period, the Relative Strength Index (RSI), which shows momentum, made a higher peak. This setup indicates a hidden bearish divergence. In Turkish, they say, 'where there is no smoke, there is no fire': This combination usually signals fatigue rather than strength.
In the short term, the first support is at $0.25. If this level is broken, $0.23 will come into play. For the upward movement to continue, SYRUP needs to exceed the $0.31 level with a daily close. Otherwise, rallies will remain at risk.
The selling trend indicates that whales are protecting themselves against macro risks. If CPI data comes in above expectations and hopes for interest rate cuts are postponed, high-beta DeFi positions lose their attractiveness.
Fartcoin (FARTCOIN) price and current analysis
Fartcoin (FARTCOIN) is experiencing the most confusing whale activity before the CPI announcement. Price movement is quite weak. FARTCOIN has lost nearly 17% in the last 24 hours. Normally, such a sharp decline would trigger a widespread wave of selling.
In the last 24 hours, small whales also seem to be doing just that.
Standard whale balances decreased by 3.83% and fell to a total of 115,450,000 FARTCOIN. This indicates a net decrease of approximately 4,600,000 tokens.
However, mega whales are painting a completely different picture. The top 100 wallets increased their FARTCOIN holdings by 4.3%, reaching a total of 691,910,000 tokens.
This situation creates a direct contrast among whale groups.
In the 12-hour time frame, a bearish EMA crossover is forming. EMA, or exponential moving average, gives more weight to the most recent prices. The 20-period EMA is about to fall below the 50-period EMA, and FARTCOIN continues to show weakness.
This structure supports further declines. In the coming days, the most critical level is around $0.26. This point coincides with both the 0.618 Fibonacci retracement and the active demand zone. A clear break could pave the way to $0.23, and in case of accelerated selling, to $0.17.
For FARTCOIN to regain an upward outlook, it is essential to break above $0.35. Since December 14, every recovery attempt has been stalling at this level.
While small whales adhere to a downward structure, mega whales are taking early positions. They are likely betting on volatility around CPI and sudden spikes in Solana-based meme coins due to macro movements.
