- Vitalik Buterin offloaded over 6,100 ETH in recent transactions
- Ether remains under $2,000 amid broader crypto market weakness
- Ethereum Foundation shifts strategy toward staking 70,000 ETH
Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has sold approximately 6,183 ETH over several days, with total proceeds reaching around $13.2 million. Initial on-chain tracking showed 3,788 ETH sold in three days, but subsequent data indicated additional transactions. The average exit price across the reported sales was roughly $2,140 per ETH.
The timing has raised eyebrows as Ethereum trades below $2,000 during heightened volatility. Blockchain analytics firms tracked the transfers, which occurred amid a broader crypto market downturn.
Ether Extends Its Downtrend
Ether is currently trading near $1,872, reflecting continued weakness. The asset has declined more than 36% over the past month and around 4.6% over the last week. After peaking near $5,000 last August and closing 2025 around $3,000, ETH has struggled to regain upward momentum.
Earlier in February, a previous Buterin sale coincided with a sharp 22.7% drop in price. Following the latest transactions, ETH slipped more than 5% in a single session, reinforcing bearish sentiment. Technical analysts have pointed to potential downside risk, with some charts suggesting the possibility of a move below $1,400 if selling pressure continues.
Holdings and Institutional Context
Despite the recent disposals, Buterin remains one of Ethereum’s largest known individual holders. Arkham Intelligence previously estimated his holdings at over 240,000 ETH, valued at roughly $467 million before the latest sales.
Institutional movements have also added to volatility. BlackRock recently adjusted its crypto positions, including withdrawals tied to ETF-linked addresses. On Feb. 6, the asset manager reportedly sold approximately $292 million worth of Bitcoin and Ethereum amid a multi-day market decline.
Ethereum Foundation Moves Toward Staking
In parallel, the Ethereum Foundation has begun staking part of its treasury. An initial deposit of 2,016 ETH has already been made, with plans to stake approximately 70,000 ETH in total. At current prices, that commitment represents roughly $128 million.
Unlike treasury sales, staking locks ETH into validators, reducing immediate market supply while generating yield for ecosystem funding. Rewards will support protocol research, development, and grants, signaling a shift from liquidating holdings to generating operational income.
Market Implications
Buterin’s sales, institutional repositioning, and the Foundation’s staking strategy are unfolding against a backdrop of macro uncertainty and crypto market weakness. While on-chain sales often spark speculation, they do not necessarily signal structural bearishness.
For now, Ethereum remains under pressure below $2,000. Whether the asset stabilizes or extends its decline will likely depend more on broader liquidity and macro conditions than on individual wallet movements.
