In the context of cryptocurrencies, "sardines" is a term used to describe small investors, usually individuals who hold relatively modest amounts of crypto assets. These investors have less capital and influence in the market compared to the "whales," who are the large holders of cryptocurrencies, such as institutions or individuals with vast quantities of digital assets.
The metaphor comes from the animal world: just as sardines are small fish that swim in schools and can be easy prey for larger predators, in the crypto market sardines are seen as vulnerable to the movements of whales. For example, a whale can sell or buy large volumes of a cryptocurrency, causing price fluctuations that affect the sardines, who often react emotionally, buying during highs out of fear of missing out (FOMO) or selling during lows out of panic.
Sardines generally have varied strategies: some seek quick gains and are influenced by trends or hype, while others adopt a long-term approach, accumulating small amounts over time. Although individually they have little impact power, when acting together — such as in coordinated movements on social media — sardines can influence the market, as was the case with Dogecoin in 2021.
In summary, sardines are the small players in the crypto ecosystem, contrasting with the whales, and their collective behavior can either follow or, in rare cases, challenge the movements of large investors. #sardinhas