Vitalik Buterin Sells $3.67M in Ether as Ethereum Slides to 20-Day Low
How Much Ether Did Buterin Sell?
Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has sold 1,869 ether worth about $3.67 million over the past two days, adding supply to a market that has already been trending lower. The transactions followed the withdrawal of 3,500 ether from Aave, according to blockchain data tracked by Lookonchain.
The latest disposals form part of a broader plan outlined in late January, when Buterin said he would withdraw and liquidate 16,384 ether to finance ecosystem development, open-source software, and other initiatives while the Ethereum Foundation enters what he described as a “mild austerity” phase.
Since Feb. 2, he has reportedly sold more than 8,000 ether. Despite the recent activity, on-chain data from Arkham Intelligence shows Buterin still holds more than 224,000 ether, valued at roughly $429 million at current prices.
Investor Takeaway
What Has ETH’s Price Done?
Ether has fallen nearly 3% over the past 48 hours, touching a 20-day low of $1,844 early Monday, according to CoinDesk data. The token has been trending lower since reaching a high above $4,900 in August last year.
The timing of the sales has drawn attention because the market backdrop is already fragile. With prices under pressure, visible founder-linked transfers can reinforce bearish sentiment, even when they are pre-announced or programmatic in nature.
Is This a One-Off Sale or Part of a Funding Strategy?
The January announcement laid out a clear rationale: liquidating part of Buterin’s personal holdings to support ecosystem development and open-source work as the Ethereum Foundation tightens spending. The reference to a “mild austerity” phase suggests a period of cost control and funding prioritization rather than expansion.
In that context, the sales appear aligned with a treasury management approach rather than an abrupt exit. Still, the market often reacts to visible token flows regardless of intent, especially when they originate from high-profile wallets.
Investor Takeaway
Who Is Absorbing the Supply?
While Buterin has been trimming his holdings, buyers have emerged. Blockchain data indicates that ShapeShift founder Erik Voorhees and a whale linked to crypto services provider Matrixport have been accumulating ether during the same period.
That dynamic suggests a redistribution of supply rather than an absence of demand. However, the balance between steady accumulation and continued founder-linked sales may determine whether ETH stabilizes near current levels or faces further pressure.
For now, the market is weighing a clear funding-driven liquidation plan against a broader downtrend that has persisted since last year’s peak. The outcome will likely depend less on one wallet’s activity and more on whether broader demand returns to absorb ongoing supply.
