Crypto Whales Buy and Sell These 3 Tokens Ahead of US CPI Data

The January US CPI print is approaching at a sensitive moment for markets, and crypto whales are already positioning. Inflation is expected to stay steady, broadly in line with November’s cooling data. But still high enough to keep early-2026 rate-cut hopes muted. November’s softer CPI failed to shift Federal Reserve expectations, leaving liquidity conditions tight.

In this backdrop, whale behavior matters more than price alone. When rate-cut optimism is low, large holders tend to act selectively rather than chase risk. Ahead of the CPI release, on-chain data shows a clear split between three tokens. Crypto whales are accumulating two while reducing exposure to the third one after a recent rally.

Maple Finance (SYRUP)

Among the tokens whales are positioning around ahead of the CPI print, Maple Finance (SYRUP) stands out as a DeFi-focused bet rather than a macro one.

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Over the past 24 hours, Maple Finance whale wallets increased their holdings by 7.41%. That equals about 480,000 SYRUP added, worth approximately $0.19 million at the current price.

On its own, the one-day addition looks modest. But context matters.

On a 30-day basis, Maple Finance whale balances are up over 718%, showing steady and persistent accumulation rather than reactionary buying.

Price action supports this behavior.

SYRUP is up nearly 40% over the past 30 days (highlights continued conviction buying from whales), climbing from around $0.23 to $0.40 since early December. This move has been structurally supported by trend signals on the chart.

An EMA, or exponential moving average, gives more weight to recent prices and helps define trend direction. On SYRUP’s daily chart, the 20-day EMA has crossed above the 50-day and 100-day EMAs, a sequence that often signals strengthening upside momentum. The price is now trading above all major EMAs, keeping the trend firmly bullish. Plus, the 20-day EMA is closing in on the 200-day EMA, another bullish crossover in the making.

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The next challenge sits at $0.40, which has acted as a strong resistance and rejected price on January 12. A clean daily close above this level, roughly a 3.8% move, would open the path toward $0.46, followed by a potential extension to $0.50 if momentum holds.

Downside risk remains controlled but clear. Losing $0.36 would be the first warning sign. A deeper move below $0.34 would push the price back under key EMAs, weakening the bullish structure and exposing a pullback toward $0.30.

Chainlink (LINK)

Chainlink is seeing quiet whale positioning ahead of the US CPI print, suggesting selective accumulation rather than broad risk-on behavior.

Over the past 24 hours, crypto whale wallets increased their LINK holdings from 503.12 million to 503.51 million, adding roughly 390,000 LINK or $6.6 million in fresh buying. This matters because early-2026 rate-cut expectations remain low, which usually limits aggressive positioning. Instead, crypto whales appear to be leaning toward infrastructure names tied to the real-world asset narrative, a theme that stayed strong through 2025 and continues into 2026.

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The LINK price structure supports that positioning. Chainlink is forming a double bottom on the 12-hour chart, a W-shaped base that often signals seller exhaustion.

Price has stabilized after the second low and is now grinding higher. For momentum to build, LINK must first clear $13.50, followed by the more important $14.90 level, which has capped upside repeatedly. A clean 12-hour break above $14.90 would open the path toward $15.50 and $17.01, with higher resistance levels near $19.56 coming into view if follow-through holds.

Risk remains defined. A drop below $12.90 weakens the recovery, while a loss of $11.70 would invalidate the double-bottom structure entirely.

Polygon Ecosystem Token (POL)

Polygon ecosystem token (POL) has seen a sharp shift in whale behavior just ahead of the US CPI print. While POL remains up around 20% on the week, the token has slipped nearly 4% over the past 24 hours.

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During this pullback, large crypto whales holding between 10 million and 100 million POL have started reducing exposure after increasing holdings between January 10 and January 12. Over the past day, this cohort cut holdings from 585.39 million POL to 582.37 million POL, a reduction of about 3.02 million tokens.

The timing is notable, as this selling follows a strong multi-day rally.

The POL price structure helps explain the caution. POL surged sharply from early January lows, forming a steep pole, followed by a tight consolidation that resembles a bullish flag.

However, the pullback from the highs has been aggressive rather than controlled. At the same time, On-Balance Volume (OBV), which tracks whether volume confirms price direction, has rolled over and is now sitting near its rising trend line. This signals that buying pressure is weakening even as the price attempts to hold its range. A trendline breakdown could weaken the structure further.

If POL loses $0.14 and then $0.13, the flag structure risks invalidation, opening downside toward $0.11 and potentially $0.09. A bullish continuation only regains credibility above $0.16, supported by improving volume.

For now, whale selling suggests the recent move in the Polygon ecosystem token looks more cyclical than conviction-driven, especially ahead of a major macro event like CPI.