Key Takeaways
- Vitalik Buterin has exceeded his stated Ethereum sale target, selling over $34 million so far.
- Price drop may explain additional sales.
- ETH price rebounds but risks remain.
Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has exceeded his previously disclosed ETH sales target.
He has offloaded more than $34 million worth of the crypto, according to on-chain data, even as ETH posted a short-term rebound.
Blockchain analytics account Lookonchain said Buterin has sold a total of 17,196 ETH, valued at approximately $34.96 million, surpassing his stated plan to withdraw 16,384 ETH.
The development has prompted fresh questions over how much more the Ethereum co-founder could sell.
Vitalik Buterin Exceeds Ethereum Sale Target
Lookonchain flagged that Buterin’s cumulative sales have now overtaken his earlier target of 16,384 ETH.
At the time of his announcement, that amount was worth roughly $43 million.
At current prices near $2,061 per token, the 17,196 ETH sold would be valued at about $35.4 million, reflecting Ethereum’s price decline since the initial disclosure.
Despite the recent disposals, Buterin remains one of Ethereum’s largest individual holders.
Data from blockchain intelligence firm Arkham shows he still controls around 224,104 ETH.
At current market prices, those holdings are valued at approximately $439 million.
His stake has declined significantly over the years.
Historical data indicates Buterin held more than 662,000 ETH at the end of 2015, or about 0.9% of total supply at the time.
By the end of 2025, that share had fallen to roughly 0.20%.
Why Is Vitalik Buterin Selling Ethereum?
Buterin has framed the sales as part of a strategic funding shift rather than a loss of confidence in Ethereum.
In January, he said the Ethereum Foundation (EF) is entering a period of “mild austerity” as it pushes forward with an ambitious scaling roadmap while seeking long-term financial sustainability.
He said the withdrawn Ethereum would support efforts to build an open-source and verifiable “full stack” of software and hardware infrastructure.
While the Foundation will remain focused on developing Ethereum, he said the emphasis would be on “Ethereum for people who need it.”
Buterin also said he is exploring decentralized staking strategies that could generate funding through staking rewards over time.
How Much More Could He Sell?
It remains unclear whether Buterin plans to sell additional ETH beyond the 17,196 tokens already offloaded.
If his original objective was to raise a specific dollar amount rather than reduce holdings by a fixed ETH figure, further sales could be possible.
The initial withdrawal of 16,384 ETH was valued at roughly $43 million at the time of disclosure, when Ethereum was trading at higher levels.
At the current price of around $2,061, raising $43 million would require selling approximately 20,864 ETH — significantly more than the 17,196 ETH already sold.
That suggests the increase in tokens sold may reflect Ethereum’s price decline rather than a change in strategy.
Price Rebound Amid Downside Risks
The sales come as Ethereum rose 7.54% over the past 24 hours, offering short-term relief after weeks of broader crypto market weakness.
While short-term buying pressure is visible, Victor Olanrewaju, an analyst at CCN said the token remains confined within a descending channel, with rallies repeatedly capped by selling.
A break above $2,505 could pave the way for a move toward $2,974, with a sustained push beyond $2,981 potentially signaling a broader reversal and a test of $3,000, Olanrewaju said.
Failure to clear resistance at $2,505, however, risks a drop back below $1,746, which could expose ETH to a deeper slide toward $1,600.
At the time of reporting, Ethereum was trading at $2,069, according to CoinMarketCap.
Top Trending Crypto Articles
Kurt Robson is a London-based reporter at CCN, specialising in the fast-moving worlds of crypto and emerging technology. He began his career covering local news in Cornwall after graduating from Falmouth University with First Class Honours in Journalism. There, he cut his teeth on everything from council meetings to missing swans.
He quickly rose through the ranks to become a frontline journalist at several of the UK’s leading national newspapers. Over the years, he has interviewed musicians and celebrities, reported from courtrooms and crime scenes, and secured multiple front-page exclusives.
Following the upheaval of the COVID-19 pandemic, Kurt shifted his focus to technology journalism—just ahead of the AI boom. With a natural curiosity and a trained eye for emerging trends, he has found a new rhythm in reporting on innovation.
At CCN, Kurt's work focuses on the cutting edge of crypto, blockchain, AI, and the evolving digital world. Drawing on his background in people-first reporting and his deep interest in disruptive tech, Kurt delivers stories that are insightful, entertaining, and human-centric.
