Bitcoin News Today: PENGU Whale Secures $2.13M Profit Amid 8% Price Drop, Token Holds 29% Weekly Gain

A PENGU whale secured a $2.13 million profit by selling 73.64 million tokens at $0.042 apiece on July 24, 2025, despite a broader market downturn that saw the token’s price drop 8% during the Asian trading session [1]. The transaction, monitored by Onchain Lens and Nansen, occurred as global crypto capitalization fell 1.5% to $3.89 trillion, with over $960 million in liquidations reported in 24 hours [2]. While Bitcoin (BTC) held stable near $117,000–$118,000, altcoins like PUMP and Aptos faced sharper declines, with PUMP plummeting 18% to $0.003 [2]. The whale’s sale, however, did not trigger significant regulatory scrutiny or official responses from the Pudgy Penguins team, suggesting independent market action rather than coordinated strategy [1].

The PENGU token’s price maintained a 29% weekly gain despite the intraday dip, indicating resilience amid short-term volatility. Analysts attribute this to the token’s ability to hold above the $0.03 support level, resisting broader market pressures [1]. The whale’s profit-taking strategy aligns with patterns seen in meme coins, where large holders often capitalize on price swings without long-term holding commitments. This mirrors prior whale actions in tokens like DOGE and PEPE, where liquidity withdrawals exacerbated short-term declines but did not negate longer-term bullish trends [3].

The broader market context highlights fragmented recovery dynamics. While BTC’s dominance rose above 61%, altcoins remained vulnerable, with leveraged long positions in ETH, Solana (SOL), and XRP accounting for $828 million in liquidations [2]. The PENGU whale’s success contrasts with leveraged traders’ losses, underscoring the growing divide between institutional-grade strategies and retail participation. Glassnode analysts have warned of “speculative froth” in altcoins, noting surging open interest and macroeconomic risks [2]. The PENGU transaction, however, demonstrates how strategic exits by large investors can mitigate downward pressures, preserving token value during volatile periods.

Investor concerns remain over the sustainability of meme coin structures, with some questioning the reliance on speculative momentum. Yet the PENGU token’s weekly performance suggests temporary corrections rather than sustained bearishness. No major liquidity issues were reported, and the lack of regulatory intervention indicates no immediate compliance risks [1]. The event also underscores the uneven recovery in crypto markets, where Bitcoin’s stability contrasts with altcoin struggles, particularly for meme assets lacking intrinsic utility.

Sources:

[1] [Memecoin news: PENGU whale takes $2.1M profit, DOGE...](https://invezz.com/news/2025/07/24/memecoin-news-pengu-whale-takes-2-1m-profit-doge-plummets-after-80-rally/)

[2] [Crypto wrap: BTC steady but PUMP, Flare, and Aptos...](https://www.bitcoininsider.org/article/280193/crypto-wrap-btc-steady-pump-flare-and-aptos-among-big-altcoin-losers)

[3] [XT Community News](https://www.xt.com/en/blog/community-news/2025-07-24T13:16:21.000Z)