3 Altcoins Holders Buy This Week

Key Takeaways

• Top 25 PERP holders increased their positions by 1.33 million tokens, taking advantage of a price dip as exchange balances declined.

• Whales added 3.45 million GRIFFAIN tokens even as Smart Money reduced holdings, with retail investors absorbing the resulting outflows.

• Smart Money moved $2.33 million worth of MNT to exchanges, indicating profit-taking despite a rising token price.

Introduction

In the fast-moving world of digital assets, the behavior of top token holders often provides early signals that retail traders overlook. The concentration of capital among whales, Smart Money wallets, and influential investors can determine whether a token rallies or retreats.

While price movements may appear random, underlying flows tell a different story. Recent data reveals that such altcoins as Perpetual Protocol (PERP), GRIFFAIN, and Mantle (MNT) are experiencing significant shifts in ownership, with whales steadily accumulating in some cases and trimming in others.

Nansen’s on-chain analytics have shed light on where the biggest wallets are moving their capital. The numbers reveal accumulation into weakness for PERP and GRIFFAIN, while MNT faces a wave of distribution even as its price rises. These dynamics create important signals for traders navigating a volatile market.

PERP Accumulation Into Weakness

Perpetual Protocol’s top 25 holders have added 1.33 million PERP within the past day, equivalent to $409,000 in value. This surge in holdings is 25 times larger than the average daily inflow, reflecting unusually strong buying pressure. At the same time, exchange balances fell by nearly 3.8%, pointing to a wave of withdrawals into self-custody.

The timing of this accumulation coincided with PERP’s price decline to $0.265, followed by a recovery to $0.315. The sequence suggests whales bought aggressively into weakness, helping to stabilize the price and trigger a rebound. Still, risks remain as concentration is extremely high, with the top 100 wallets holding control over 55% of the circulating supply. Such dominance means a few large players could continue to dictate price direction.

GRIFFAIN Whales Step In

GRIFFAIN also experienced significant whale activity. The top 25 wallets increased their positions by 3.45 million tokens in the past 24 hours, worth about $135,000. This amount was nearly six times the daily inflow average, making the accumulation highly unusual. Exchange balances slipped slightly, while whale wallets rose by 7.7%.

Interestingly, the price of GRIFFAIN held steady at around $0.038 despite Smart Money wallets trimming 2.5% of their positions. Retail traders stepped in to absorb the selling pressure, allowing larger holders to build positions without disrupting the market. With almost the entire token supply already in circulation, whale flows now play an outsized role in determining price behavior, making their moves critical to track.

Smart Money Exits MNT

Mantle (MNT) presented the sharpest contrast. Instead of accumulation, Smart Money wallets sent $2.33 million worth of tokens to exchanges within 24 hours. This represented a 5% reduction in their balances. Public figure wallets cut exposure even more aggressively, slashing nearly 47% of holdings, while whale wallets reduced positions by 6.8%.

Despite the heavy selling, MNT’s price still climbed from $1.67 to $1.71, a sign that market demand temporarily absorbed the pressure. Exchange balances, however, increased slightly, suggesting that supply waiting to be sold has grown. This behavior points to profit-taking by larger investors who used the price rally as an opportunity to offload risk onto retail participants.

What It Means

Across these three altcoins, the data paints a picture of contrasting strategies. PERP and GRIFFAIN have benefited from accumulation into periods of weakness, with whales showing confidence in their long-term potential. Mantle, however, illustrates the opposite trend, as Smart Money and whales distribute into strength. This divergence serves as a reminder that market flows often reveal more than surface-level price action.

For traders and investors, watching where top holders move their capital provides a sharper lens for decision-making. While retail behavior often follows headlines, whale accumulation or distribution reflects deeper conviction. As these patterns continue to unfold, they will remain critical signals for those looking to anticipate rather than react to market shifts.

Conclusion

Whales and Smart Money are not merely participants in the crypto market; they are often the architects of its direction. The latest data shows a deliberate reshaping of flows, with PERP and GRIFFAIN receiving quiet accumulation while Mantle faces heavy distribution.

These moves suggest differing outlooks for each asset, and investors who track them can gain valuable insight into the hidden mechanics of price behavior. In a landscape driven by liquidity and conviction, understanding where the biggest players are positioning themselves can offer an edge that raw price charts cannot provide. Find this article useful? Read more in our Blog.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do holders buy altcoins into weakness?

Holders often buy altcoins during price dips because they have the capital to absorb selling pressure and benefit from discounts. Their accumulation during downturns can also help stabilize a market and position them for gains when prices recover.

What does Smart Money mean in crypto?

Smart Money refers to wallets associated with professional investors, funds, and entities with a history of profitable trading. Tracking their moves can provide early warnings about major shifts in market sentiment.

Why is whale concentration a risk?

When a small group of wallets controls a large portion of supply, they can influence price direction significantly. Sudden sales by these holders can trigger steep declines, while steady accumulation can fuel rallies.

Is MNT’s selling pressure a bearish sign?

The increase in exchange balances and heavy trimming by large wallets suggest potential short-term weakness. While prices held steady for now, prolonged distribution from whales could create selling pressure that weighs on the token.

How can retail traders use this data?

Retail traders can watch accumulation and distribution patterns to better understand potential future moves. Following whale flows offers a more reliable perspective than relying only on price trends or social media sentiment.