Hyperliquid Whale Activity Signals Strategic Accumulation in Solana and HYPE Ecosystem

• A crypto whale deposited $8.09 million in USDC into HyperLiquid to buy 59,458 SOL at $133.88–$135, indicating confidence in Solana's near-term price potential.
• A dormant whale deposited $2.64 million into HyperLiquid and purchased 59,976 HYPE tokens after two years of inactivity, signaling renewed confidence in the platform.
• A whale deposited 12.06 million USDC into HyperLiquid and purchased 480,997 HYPE tokens at $25.07 each, indicating accumulation intent.

A crypto whale has recently placed large buy orders for Solana (SOL) on HyperLiquid, investing $8.09 million in USDC to purchase 59,458 SOL at a target price range of $133.88–$135. This action demonstrates confidence in the near-term price potential of Solana and a strategic accumulation approach across both Solana and HyperLiquid ecosystems. The whale also holds 427,441 HYPE tokens valued at $11.09 million, reflecting a broader strategic interest in HyperLiquid's ecosystem and tokenomics.

In addition to the $SOL buy orders, the same whale has a significant long-term position in HYPE tokens. The whale's actions may help stabilize prices amid HYPE token unlocks in January 2026. This strategic accumulation approach could influence short-term liquidity and price action in the Solana market. The whale's limit order may create a visible floor in the targeted price range.

Another notable whale activity occurred when a dormant whale deposited $2.64 million into HyperLiquid and purchased 59,976 HYPE tokens after two years of inactivity. This suggests a strategic return to the HyperLiquid ecosystem and indicates confidence in the token's future performance. The whale also placed an $8 million limit order for 59,458 SOL and holds $11.09 million in HYPE tokens, highlighting a broader support for HyperLiquid's ecosystem and its tokenomics.

The HYPE token is currently at a critical juncture near $25, influenced by whale activity and upcoming token unlocks. A major whale (0x72b23) has accumulated $26.5 million in HYPE through 2025–2026, suggesting strategic positioning. However, a significant unlock of 3.61% of the supply is scheduled for January 6, 2026, which could increase sell pressure. Token burns and buybacks aim to offset supply risks, but market reactions could remain volatile. The $25 level serves as a technical and psychological threshold, with traders closely monitoring whale activity and liquidity metrics for potential price movements.

What Is Driving Whale Activity in Hyperliquid?

Whale activity on Hyperliquid is influenced by strategic positioning and market conditions. A crypto whale deposited $8.09 million in USDC into Hyperliquid and placed $8 million in Solana buy orders, indicating confidence in the near-term price outlook of Solana. The whale's buy orders are layered across a tight price band, a common tactic used by high-volume traders to secure effective entry points.

The whale also holds a significant amount of $HYPE tokens, indicating a broader strategic interest in HyperLiquid's ecosystem. The whale's accumulation strategy aligns with the wider market attraction toward $SOL, which has experienced increased volatility and liquidity in recent weeks.

How Do Whale Activities Influence Market Sentiment and Price Dynamics?

Whale activities can significantly influence market sentiment and price dynamics. A whale deposited 12.06 million USDC into Hyperliquid and purchased 480,997 HYPE tokens at $25.07 each, indicating accumulation intent. This strategic allocation of capital across both Solana and HyperLiquid suggests a broader interest in the platform and its tokenomics.

The whale's actions may stabilize prices amid HYPE token unlocks in January 2026. The whale's limit order may impact short-term liquidity and price action in the Solana market. The whale's actions could indicate interest in HyperLiquid's governance or long-term value proposition. Analysts are monitoring the whale's activity for further signals and considering how its actions align with or deviate from larger market trends.

Whale activity on Hyperliquid as of January 10, 2026, reveals total holdings at $6.437 billion, with long positions at $3.11 billion (48.31%) and short positions at $3.32 billion (51.69%). This suggests a slightly short-biased exposure among large traders on the platform. The long-to-short ratio of 0.93 highlights a cautious stance from whales, who are currently more inclined toward short positions. The overall position distribution indicates ongoing market uncertainty or speculative activity driven by broader market conditions and potential macroeconomic factors.

What Risks Are Associated with Whale Activities in Hyperliquid?

Whale activities in Hyperliquid involve risks such as market volatility and potential sell pressure. A major whale address has opened a 5x fully collateralized long position on Ethereum at $3,147.39, currently reflecting an unrealized loss of $11.467 million. This highlights the speculative nature of whale activity and the risk associated with leveraged long positions in a volatile market.

Ethereum faces accumulation and low token demand challenges, but whale activity suggests potential for price appreciation. A whale on HyperLiquid DEX opened a $62 million ETH position with 3x leverage, indicating bullish sentiment for ETH. The price action flipped a multi-month descending channel, aligning with bullish signals, with a long-term target of $4,400.

Whale accumulation and token unlocks are key factors affecting the HYPE token's price near $25. Institutional long bias on Binance and strategic whale behavior may support price stability, but the January 2026 token unlock poses a potential risk. Token burns and buybacks aim to offset supply risks, but market reactions could remain volatile. The $25 level serves as a technical and psychological threshold, with traders closely monitoring whale activity and liquidity metrics for potential price movements.