Who are Ethereum whales?

I've often heard the term 'Ethereum whales' in the cryptocurrency community, but I'm not exactly sure what it means. Could you please explain who these Ethereum whales are and why they are significant in the Ethereum ecosystem? I understand that 'whales' usually refer to large investors or institutional investors in the traditional finance world, but how do they operate in the world of Ethereum? Do they play a crucial role in shaping the market dynamics of Ethereum? Thank you for your time and explanation.