ICO-Era Ethereum Whale Buys Back 13.6k ETH, Holds 59.7k
On-chain data shows an ICO-era Ethereum whale with a low $0.31 cost basis has withdrawn 13,600 ETH (~$47M) from exchanges over three weeks, boosting its holdings to 59,718 ETH (~$210M). This marks its first major buy-back in over two years after cumulative sales of 358,600 ETH (~$897M) from July 2024 to July 2025. A second whale also extracted 2,850 ETH (~$10M) from Kraken, raising holdings to 18,111 ETH (~$64M). Ethereum price climbed to $3,559 (+2.4% in 24h), suggesting whale activity and supply tightening are underpinning a price rebound, fueled by potential spot ETH ETF approval and growth in Layer 2, DeFi and NFT ecosystems. Traders should monitor on-chain signals, as Ethereum whale accumulation often precedes bullish momentum in the crypto market.
Bullish
Large-scale ETH accumulation by a low cost-basis Ethereum whale after a prolonged sell-off tightens circulating supply and has already coincided with a price uptick to $3,559. Historically, whale buy-backs often signal growing institutional interest and can trigger short-term bullish momentum. Over the long term, renewed confidence from major holders, combined with prospects for spot ETH ETF approval and expansion of Layer 2, DeFi, and NFT ecosystems, could underpin sustained price gains. Traders may see this as an early indicator of an upcoming bull phase, but should balance on-chain insights with broader fundamental analysis and risk management.