Ethereum is back above $3,300 after one of the most striking accumulation patterns seen in months.
Fresh on-chain data from Santiment shows that large ETH holders, whales and sharks, have quietly absorbed ~934,240 ETH over the past three weeks, worth more than $3.15 billion. During the same period, small traders moved in the opposite direction, dumping 1,041 ETH into the market.
That split in behavior has created a textbook setup: strong hands buying aggressively while retail exits in weakness, helping fuel Ethereum’s latest 8.5% rebound.
Whales and Sharks Accelerate Accumulation
The chart shows a sharp rise in holdings among addresses with 100 to 100,000 ETH, a cohort that historically drives major trend shifts. Their combined balance has steadily climbed into early December, signaling growing conviction among larger investors even as the broader market trades with uncertainty.
This three-week accumulation streak aligns closely with the inflection point on the price chart: ETH’s decline slowed, volatility tightened, and buyers stepped in to absorb supply. The timing reinforces the idea that institutional-grade participants used recent weakness to expand positions rather than retreat.
Retail Capitulation Adds Fuel to the Upside
While whales added aggressively, retail wallets (<10 ETH) showed the opposite pattern. The chart highlights a noticeable dip in their holdings after 1,041 ETH in net selling over the past week.
This type of divergence, large players buying while smaller holders sell, has often preceded short-term relief rallies or larger trend reversals. For Ethereum, the reaction has already begun, with price pushing higher as excess supply from retail is absorbed by deeper pockets.
ETH Eyes Stability Above $3,400
If accumulation continues at the current pace, Ethereum could reclaim $3,400 as a key support zone. The data shows a market driven less by hype and more by strategic repositioning among major holders, which typically provides a more sustainable foundation for recovery.
For now, the trend remains clear: whales are building, retail is exiting, and Ethereum is responding accordingly. As long as this imbalance persists, momentum may continue leaning to the upside.