SHIB Whale Activity Spikes 95% — So Why Is the Price Still Flat?

Shiba Inu (SHIB) has recently witnessed a significant uptick in whale activity, with large transactions spiking by 95%. This surge amounted to approximately $7.75 million in SHIB moved by major holders, as reported by IntoTheBlock. Despite SHIB whale substantial movement, SHIB’s price has remained relatively flat, prompting analysts to question the underlying factors restraining its upward momentum.​

SHIB Whale Activity and Market Metrics

Analysis: Whale Accumulation vs. Retail Participation

While the spike in SHIB whale transactions indicates strong interest from large holders, the concurrent decline in address activity suggests waning participation from retail investors. Historically, significant whale accumulation has often preceded price rallies.

For instance, in November 2024, a surge from 4 trillion to nearly 30 trillion SHIB tokens by whales led to a 100% rally. However, similar spikes in January and March 2025 did not yield the same result, highlighting the importance of broader market engagement.​

The current scenario mirrors these past instances, where SHIB whale accumulation alone may not suffice to drive a price surge without accompanying retail interest.

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Technical Outlook: Resistance Levels and Market Sentiment

SHIB is currently trading below key resistance levels, with the next significant hurdles at $0.00001660 and $0.00001882. A breakout above these levels could signal a bullish trend. However, the token remains below its 50 and 100 EMA trendlines, indicating potential challenges ahead. The Bollinger Bands are contracting, suggesting suppressed volatility and an imminent breakout.​

Analysts emphasize the need for increased retail participation and positive market sentiment to complement SHIB whale activity for a sustainable rally.

Layer-2 Growth Could Be a Game-Changer

One overlooked catalyst could be the evolution of Shibarium, Shiba Inu’s Layer-2 blockchain. While network updates have been gradual, recent developer activity and protocol integrations hint at expanding use cases — from low-fee transactions to DeFi interoperability.

If whale accumulation is tied to Shibarium’s upcoming milestones, SHIB could soon benefit from utility-driven demand, which might bring retail back into the fold. However, a lack of marketing and clarity around rollout timelines continues to limit this potential impact.

Market Sentiment Remains Cautiously Neutral

On the sentiment side, SHIB continues to struggle to ignite hype. Google Trends and social engagement metrics remain well below previous bull runs, indicating that the community is not yet in “FOMO mode.” Analysts suggest that the next big price move may only come with a broader shift in sentiment across the meme coin sector.

Conclusion: Awaiting a Catalyst for SHIB’s Next Move

The recent surge in SHIB whale activity underscores a growing interest from major investors in SHIB. However, the lack of corresponding retail engagement and the presence of strong resistance levels suggest that a significant catalyst is needed to propel SHIB into a bullish trajectory. Market participants are advised to monitor on-chain metrics and broader market trends closely, as these will play a crucial role in determining SHIB’s short-term direction.

FAQs

What triggered the recent SHIB whale activity?

On April 21, 2025, whale transactions in SHIB surged by 95%, totaling $7.75 million. The move is believed to reflect growing confidence among large holders.

Why hasn’t SHIB’s price increased despite whale accumulation?

Although SHIB whale are accumulating SHIB, retail investor activity has dropped nearly 30%, limiting overall momentum and demand.

How many SHIB tokens were removed from exchanges this year?

Over 100 trillion SHIB tokens have been withdrawn from exchanges in 2025, signaling strong long-term holding by whales.

What price levels must SHIB break for a bullish rally?

SHIB needs to break above key resistances at $0.00001660 and $0.00001882 to confirm a bullish trend.

Glossary of Key Terms

Whale: A term used to describe individuals or entities that hold large amounts of a cryptocurrency and can influence price movements.

SHIB: The ticker symbol for Shiba Inu, a popular meme-based cryptocurrency built on Ethereum.

Whale Transactions: Large transfers of crypto (typically over $100,000) often tracked to gauge institutional or big-player activity.

Exchange Outflow: The movement of tokens from centralized exchanges to private wallets, typically interpreted as a bullish signal.

Address Activity: The number of active wallet addresses interacting with the token; a drop usually suggests falling retail participation.

Resistance Level: A price point where selling pressure may prevent a cryptocurrency from moving higher.

Sources

AMBCrypto

U.Today

Shib.io