In a market where timing is everything, it pays to watch what the biggest players are doing. And right now, the whales are moving. April 2025 has seen a sharp uptick in large-volume crypto activity, with select tokens attracting significant attention. While retail traders may still be sitting on the sidelines waiting for clearer signals, big wallets are already making bets—some bold, others calculated. If you’re tracking which new crypto projects are drawing the attention of deep-pocketed investors, the latest whale accumulation data offers a clear roadmap.

The standout? GateToken (GT). It’s not the flashiest name in the market, but it’s currently leading the charge with a 200% increase in whale transactions. That’s not a typo—activity among large holders has effectively tripled. Whether it’s a response to upcoming exchange integrations, token utility expansion, or just a well-timed accumulation during market dips, GT is clearly on the radar of institutional buyers and high-net-worth investors.

Following closely is USDC—but not just any USDC. The Polygon version of the stablecoin has seen a 124.41% increase in whale accumulation. This speaks volumes about the direction the market is heading. Stablecoins are often the go-to asset when whales want to park funds or prepare for a big move. Seeing this much action on a Layer-2 tells you they’re not just watching—they’re preparing.

Then there’s UNUS SED LEO, better known simply as LEO. The token, tied to Bitfinex, has quietly posted a 100% increase in whale transactions. LEO isn’t new, and it doesn’t generate the kind of hype some altcoins thrive on, but whales tend to prefer function over flash.

Chainlink (LINK), particularly on the Optimism network, is also enjoying a wave of large-holder activity. Like USDC on Polygon, this move signals confidence not just in the token but in the Layer-2 infrastructure it’s tied to. LINK has always been critical to the data layer of blockchain applications, and the fact that whales are doubling down, also with a 100% increase in activity, suggests they’re betting on the importance of interoperability and oracle services in a more complex, modular Web3 future.

Toncoin (TON) rounds out the top five, also posting a 100% surge in whale accumulation. The renewed interest in TON appears to be tied to ongoing ecosystem development and integrations, particularly those connected to Telegram’s user base. For a token that’s always had potential but struggled with consistent momentum, the sudden spike in large wallet activity is worth paying attention to.

Beyond these, there are several other tokens showing signs of heavy whale interest. Dogecoin (DOGE), the perennial meme coin, is suddenly seeing serious attention again. In just one week, whales holding between 100 million and 1 billion DOGE scooped up 1.41 billion tokens, worth over $220 million. It’s the highest level of accumulation since December 2024, and it coincides with DOGE once again testing key resistance levels. Love it or hate it, DOGE seems to always find a way back into the spotlight.

Worldcoin (WLD), linked to Sam Altman, is another that’s caught the attention of larger investors. Despite recent price slumps, whales acquired 2.63 million WLD tokens in early April. That’s nearly $2 million worth, suggesting that long-term conviction in the project’s mission hasn’t wavered much, even if the chart isn’t looking perfect.

Real-world asset (RWA) tokens are also showing up strong. Ondo (ONDO) is a prime example, with 19.41 million tokens picked up by whales in a single week, amounting to around $17 million. The appetite for RWA exposure is growing, and ONDO is riding that wave.

LayerZero (ZRO) saw 10 million tokens added to whale wallets (roughly $30 million), and Immutable (IMX) reported an 800% jump in whale net flow at the end of March—likely spilling into April.

Of course, it wouldn’t be a conversation about whales without mentioning Bitcoin. Wallets holding between 1,000 and 10,000 BTC have increased by 3.5% since March, and their daily trading volumes spiked 37%. That’s the kind of movement you don’t ignore. Whales buying Bitcoin during dips is often a precursor to broader market confidence returning.

What we’re seeing is a clear trend: whales are not waiting for the perfect moment—they’re creating it. Whether it’s stablecoins on fast networks, infrastructure tokens, meme coins, or RWAs, they’re stacking positions across the board. It’s not just about price speculation; it’s about strategic positioning ahead of the next major shift.

For anyone trying to understand where the crypto market could be heading next, watching these moves is essential. Because when the whales swim, the tide usually follows.