Is this merely a cyclical pattern?
Historically, memecoins have exhibited cyclical patterns, experiencing spikes before significant events such as bullish market speculation, endorsements from celebrities, or listings on exchanges.
The first quarter typically sees subdued activity in speculative assets, while the second and fourth quarters have often yielded more substantial returns.
For instance, Dogecoin witnessed a decrease in whale involvement before its explosive surges in April 2021 and October 2022. Similarly, SHIB attained its all-time high in October 2021 following a phase of accumulation during the summer.
These patterns imply that whale movements often mirror changes in liquidity rather than an enduring loss of confidence.
Considering Bitcoin’s halving and liquidity shifts driven by ETFs that influence broader market trends, the departure of SHIB whales could indicate a shift of capital elsewhere rather than complete abandonment.
Should historical trends continue, whale activity might resurface as liquidity flows back into risky assets.
Implications for SHIB and Memecoins
The decline in SHIB’s whale presence poses two potential scenarios: either a temporary lull preceding a rebound or a fundamental change in investor outlook.
One area of concern is the rise of newer memecoins like PEPE and BONK, which have garnered attention in recent months, dividing memecoin investments.
Nevertheless, SHIB remains a significant player, with its Shibarium ecosystem propelling advancements. The recent integration of Shibarium for deposits on the MEXC exchange signifies progress towards increased adoption and functionality.
Despite a decrease in whale activity, SHIB’s value has climbed by 53.65% in the past year, surging from $0.000010 in February 2024 to approximately $0.000015 in February 2025.
This indicates that while whale interest has diminished, SHIB may not be in a state of decline — its future trajectory hinges on whether fresh capital flows into memecoins through liquidity cycles.
While SHIB encounters challenges from emerging rivals and a drop in whale engagement, strategic strides in its ecosystem and historical performance trends hint at a potential recovery.