AAVE has been trading in the vicinity of the $100 mark, a level that has drawn renewed attention from large holders. On‑chain data shows several wallets moving substantial amounts of the token into exchanges and cold storage, a pattern often interpreted as accumulation when prices approach a psychological barrier.

The resurgence of whale activity comes after a period of relative quiet, during which the token’s price drifted lower amid broader crypto market fluctuations. Analysts tracking wallet clusters note that the inflows are not accompanied by equally large outflows, suggesting that the holders may be positioning for a potential upward move rather than preparing to sell.

Retail participation appears to be picking up as well, with social‑media mentions and search interest rising in tandem with the whale movements. On‑chain metrics such as active addresses and transaction count have shown modest upticks, indicating that smaller investors are beginning to re‑engage with the asset.

Technically, the $100 zone has acted as both resistance and support in recent months. Whenever AAVE has approached this level, buying pressure has tended to ease, leading to pullbacks. Market observers caution that breaking through will require sustained volume and a shift in sentiment that outweighs the current caution among traders.

Macro factors remain a key variable. The broader DeFi sector has faced headwinds from regulatory discussions and shifting interest‑rate expectations, which can dampen appetite for risk‑ier assets. If those external pressures ease, the combination of whale accumulation and renewed retail interest could provide the catalyst needed for AAVE to surpass the $100 threshold.