Vitalik's Ethereum Sales Hit 17,196 ETH, Going Beyond the 16,384 ETH Target
Recent blockchain data shows that vitalik.eth's wallet is still active with Ethereum sales. As of February 26, 2026, at 04:35:23 UTC, he’s sold a total of 17,196 ETH, which roughly amounts to around $34.96 million based on the prices at that time. This sale has already surpassed the original goal of 16,384 ETH.
Transaction Breakdown
The info indicates that vitalik.eth’s wallet has processed several Ethereum sales over time. Each transaction is recorded on the blockchain, making it easy to check the size, timing, and value of each sale. The total ETH sold now sits at 17,196, which is 812 ETH more than the initial target of 16,384.
The total worth of these transactions is about $34.96 million. All of this was done through wallet transfers that are traceable and available for anyone to see on the blockchain.
Important Stats
- Total ETH sold: 17,196 ETH
- Total transaction value: Around $34.96 million
- Planned ETH amount: 16,384 ETH
- Extra above the plan: 812 ETH
- Last recorded time: February 26, 2026, 04:35:23 UTC
These details come from: https://cryip.co/vitalik-eth-sales-17196-eth-surpass-16384-eth
How do you think blockchain clarity helps in tracking and verifying these big Ethereum sales over time?
It is reported that Vitalik sold the ETH for the purpose of developing the ecosystem and even for several projects (Source). And even though he sold the ETH outside of the planned target he had the interests of the ETH network itself in mind. So I personally think that their community will not question his decision as he has long-term plans for the development and even progress of the ecosystem. Vitalik has sold ETH in previous periods. And he has proven himself capable of keeping ETH in good control all this time. I believe Vitalik has a clear vision for his recent decision. And perhaps he had to exceed the planned ETH sale target for unexpected funding or even as a contingency fund as there is no definite news about the excess funds yet.
Maybe the intention is not really bad at all if the reason is for ecosystem development purposes, but people already got an idea about other thing that might going to happen in future. Vitalik has capability to sell more if he goes crazy or there are other complicated things happen.
That's why sometimes its scary to think that there's someone can able to manipulate the market, since there are chance that you might lose with those bad actions they might made in future. That's why I love Bitcoin not only for the fact that it has limited numbers in circulation the creator itself which is Satoshi has no record that he sold some Bitcoin even since before.
They should have sold when ETH was around $4K to get out at double the price or maybe sell just half of the targeted amount. Anyway, I don't think the sell-off will affect anything regarding what the community thinks.
Ethereum is that network that is slowly but gradually losing the grip. Even when the fees went down, the ecosystem is not as utilized as it was back then
I don't understand why Vitalik is selling when the price is low and people are bearish. There is just not as much demand in the market right now. He could've sold it when the price was 3k or even 4k with less Ethereum for the same amount while keeping the selling pressure minimal because people are bullish.
Now it seems like a bad move to do. But whatever, At the end of the day it's his Ethereum.
these ETH sales are part of a structured funding and capital allocation plan rather than a dramatic loss of confidence in Ethereums future.
Markets may continue reacting emotionally whenever founder wallets move, but long-term value is built through development, security improvements, and sustained ecosystem growth. If Ethereum continues delivering upgrades, scaling solutions, and developer innovation, then temporary selling pressure becomes just another chapter in a much larger story. - https://www.binance.com/en-AE/square/post/295174636308210
If they Vitalik aim for profit he maybe do that, but since as what they have said the reason for sealing is for development well I think they are not looking at those situations anymore.
What's good about it is they prepare their community about those selling they want to make and people understand that its for betterment of their ecosystem, that's why we don't see any effect on the price of Ethereum.
I don't see any FUDs came around when they do those sales and people already accepted it then continue to support ETH.
Says a lot about Vitalik's "faith" in Ethereum, lol. With constant selling of ETH, it seems that Vitalik already gave up. It's no wonder why ETH has struggled to cross past the $5k range for long. With this persistent bear market, things are going to be even worse for the cryptocurrency.
Still, the competition isn't doing any better. At current market prices, ETH is a bargain. But I think it can go down even further, before "bouncing" back to at least $4k. Many ETH investors are panicking based on Vitalik's sell off. Hard times ahead for those seeking a return in their investment. At least, within the short-term. We'll see what the future holds for ETH.
Fair enough, but it was ethereum foundation back then, and now vitalik + ethereum foundation if I'm not mistaken. The one thing that's ridiculous is they always sell more in bearish market for some reason .
Back then EF was getting backlash after selling when price tanked so hard before going back to 3k again.
Vitalik did it to fund its researches. He has more than 200k ethereum is still sitting at his wallet. If his intention to exit from the space, he may already dumping all of his eth when it was peaked. However, this is truly showing the usefulness of blockchain transparency. It helps to keep tracking the funds owned by the big boys in the crypto.
So it also give community a reason to question what's the purpose of those fund. This clearly help community in knowing better about the plan of a foundation itself.
So far, 99% of the time that Vitalik sells from his remaining ETH stack, it has been about funding charities and public good that are intended to further research about making ethereum better or to improve the quality of life of people being sponsored by charities. He has sold tons of tokens (and memes) that were donated to him in the past and all of it when to similar causes. The selling only ends when he has run out of tokens. Unfortunately, that won't happen for a while.
He provably won't do that because he know the consequences of those actions he made.
Also the coin he created is already successful so there's no need for him to think about doing the same shit done by some scam devs out there.
Also we have seen that people already used to those activities done by Vitalik and he make sure that the community is aware and know on why they sell some ETH. ETH community didn't panic so with that people don't need to afraid because as we can see ETH still fine although it dumps, but that is the effect of bearish condition of the market.
More he sells, then by definition less opportunities he has to sell in the future.
And i wouldn't bother people "manipulating" market when they sell at the bear run, because that's not really "manipulation" in evil sense.
I am more worried about people who try to pump the price artificially. Or someone doing pump and dump, or scaring people that they sell, or hinting about price growth being imminent. Because that's market manipulation if you have a leverage as an influencer, CEO or anything powerful. And that's not what Vitalik has been doing.
Creating a Cryptocurrency does not make you a good Trader too. And after all, I have seen MANY people thinking Ethereum will even surpass Bitcoin one day. And I am guessing if there was one person who would have very high hopes about it, it would be the creator himself.
Vitalik has been selling a lot of ETH lately and that's concerning to me.
Although he has been spending it for the development of Ethereum ecosystem, it still is concerning because it adds to the selling pressure which ETH is already facing.
But it's good that he is transaparent about it and has been selling it in a planned and organized way.
To be fair it's good that he sells, we would not want someone with that kind of power over ETH, and it's good that he gets out, plus he loses credibility to direct ETH and where it should go by selling it, people would say if he is selling then he should not be trusted and that would be even better for decentralization.
Vitalik needs money too, he can't survive forever with the money he has, so he will need to cash out to be able to continue living the way he does and that means further sales.
Main concern i have with cryptos is with big whales, especially with Proof of Stake, so imho every time a whale sells, it's a good thing as it gives more people opportunity to buy cheaper, then if they hodled.
Also people were were afraid that eth is centralized around Vitalik, and Vitalik has stepped down from development, and less of a center he is in terms of a bag size, the better it's for the decentralization ideology.