Vitalik Buterin sold 17,000 ETH this month as ether fell 37%
Analysis
Price Impact
MedVitalik buterin's sale of 17,000 eth, while substantial in value, was executed in small batches via cow protocol to minimize market impact. however, the timing of these sales coinciding with a significant price drop for eth can add psychological pressure and may be perceived by some traders as a bearish signal.
Trustworthiness
HighThe information is sourced from arkham intelligence data and reported by coindesk, a reputable crypto news outlet. the details of the sales and their timing are well-documented, increasing the trustworthiness of the analysis.
Price Direction
BearishWhile the sales were intended to be gradual, the fact that they are ongoing and coincide with a 37% drop in eth's price suggests that selling pressure, even if distributed, is contributing to the downward trend. the market may interpret this as a sign of reduced confidence from a key figure.
Time Effect
ShortThe direct impact of these specific sales on the price is likely to be felt in the short term, as the market reacts to the news and any immediate selling pressure. however, the long-term impact will depend on whether these sales continue and how the broader market sentiment evolves.
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Markets Share Share this article Copy link X icon X (Twitter) LinkedIn Facebook Email Vitalik Buterin sold 17,000 ETH this month as ether fell 37% The Ethereum co-founder's tracked wallets dropped from 241,000 ETH to 224,000 ETH in February, with sales routed through CoW Protocol in small batches to limit market impact. By Shaurya Malwa | Edited by Sam Reynolds Updated Feb 25, 2026, 6:59 a.m. Published Feb 25, 2026, 6:56 a.m. Make us preferred on Google What to know : Vitalik Buterin has reduced his ether holdings by about 17,000 ETH, or $43 million, in February after pledging a similar amount to fund privacy and security projects. The sales, executed in many small trades via the CoW Protocol, have coincided with a 37% drop in ether's price over the past month to around $1,900. Ether's decline and compressed staking yields near 2.8% have deepened unrealized losses for major corporate holders such as Bitmine Immersion Technologies. Vitalik Buterin earmarked 17,000 ether, worth about $43 million, for privacy projects in January. A month later, his wallet balance is down by roughly that amount, and the token he's selling has lost more than a third of its value. Arkham Intelligence data shows Buterin's attributed wallets held about 241,000 ETH at the start of February. That figure now sits at 224,000 ETH after a steady series of outflows through the month, including $6.6 million over three days earlier in February and roughly another $7 million in the past three days alone. STORY CONTINUES BELOW Don't miss another story. Subscribe to the Crypto Daybook Americas Newsletter today . See all newsletters Sign me up By signing up, you will receive emails about CoinDesk products and you agree to our terms & conditions and privacy policy . The sales were executed through decentralized exchange aggregator CoW Protocol, broken into numerous smaller swaps rather than single large transactions. The approach is standard practice for minimizing slippage on size, but it also means the selling has been a slow, consistent bleed rather than a one-time event. The timing is uncomfortable. Ether has dropped 37% over the past month, according to CoinDesk market data , trading near $1,900 on Wednesday, and Buterin's ongoing sales add headline pressure to a token already struggling for a narrative. More than 30% of ETH supply remains locked in staking, but yields have compressed to around 2.8%, making the lock-up less attractive relative to risk-free alternatives. Buterin announced the $43 million allocation in January , saying he had set aside 16,384 ETH to fund privacy-preserving technologies, open hardware, and secure software systems. He described the effort as something he would personally lead as the Ethereum Foundation entered a period of "mild austerity" while maintaining its technical roadmap. The capital, he said, would be deployed gradually over several years. Ether's sell-off has widened the pain for corporate ETH holders. Bitmine Immersion Technologies, one of the largest, is estimated to be carrying billions in unrealized losses after ether fell roughly 60% in six months — dropping well below its average purchase price. Vitalik Buterin Ethereum News More For You Crypto firm with U.S. bank charter holds bitcoin holder Strategy's preferred stock By Omkar Godbole | Edited by Sam Reynolds 31 minutes ago Anchorage Digital, the first federally chartered U.S. crypto bank, has added perpetual preferred stock in bitcoin treasury firm Strategy to its balance sheet. What to know : Anchorage Digital, the first federally chartered U.S. crypto bank, disclosed that it holds perpetual preferred stock in bitcoin treasury firm Strategy to its balance sheet. The investment underscores institutional confidence in Michael Saylor's bitcoin treasury strategy and signals tightening ties among major bitcoin-focused firms despite market volatility. 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