Ethereum ICO Whale Stakes $645 Million After Long Silence

[Ben Graham]

An early Ethereum whale just came back to life in a big way. After nearly a decade of silence, this wallet moved 150,000 ETH into staking. At today’s prices, that works out to roughly $645 million. The wallet originally received one million ETH during the 2015 ICO and had barely moved since.

A Surprise Move After Years of Inactivity

For years, this address sat untouched. Then suddenly, over the course of one day, it sent huge chunks of ETH across three different wallets and staked it all. This wasn’t a selloff or a quick exit. It was a clear bet on the future. It also sent a strong message to onlookers who still pay close attention to what early adopters are doing.

An Ethereum ICO whale just woke up after 8 years of silence and moved 150K ETH ($645M) to a new staking wallet

Back in 2015, he put in $310K across 3 wallets for 1M ETH, now worth a mind-blowing $4.3B

It seems the best trading strategy now is forgetting your bags pic.twitter.com/WRxXPZ79Gk

— Alaba Innocent Giwa (AIG) (@AigGiwa) September 5, 2025

The Whale Still Holds Over a Billion

Even after staking such a large amount, the wallet is still holding more than 850,000 ETH. That’s over $1.1 billion based on current prices. It’s the kind of stash that could shake the market if dumped, but instead it’s being used to support the network. That kind of long-term behavior stands out, especially in a space where short-term flips are common.

Source: @EmberCN on x.com

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Staking Is Becoming the Default for Long-Term Holders

Big holders aren’t just letting their ETH sit anymore. Staking has become the go-to strategy. It generates rewards, adds to the network’s security, and shows confidence without needing to sell. This whale’s move fits that trend perfectly. It reflects the kind of mindset we’re seeing more and more, especially among early backers who still believe in Ethereum’s long game.

Ethereum

Price

Market Cap

ETH

$522.00B

24h7d30d1yAll time

The Timing Makes It Even More Interesting

ETH has had a strong year so far, gaining more than 70 percent in recent months. It pulled back slightly from highs above $4,400, but traders are still looking toward the $5,000 level. Moves like this one give that outlook a little more weight. People don’t stake hundreds of millions unless they see more upside ahead.

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Big Picture Economics May Be Playing a Role

This move didn’t happen in a vacuum. Global markets are starting to price in the chance of interest rate cuts in the U.S. That usually boosts riskier assets, including crypto. For a whale sitting on a massive ETH pile, now might feel like the right time to earn some rewards while waiting for the next leg up.

Why It Matters for Everyone Else

Whales don’t always move like the rest of us, but their actions do have an impact. Staking this much ETH at once takes a lot of sell pressure off the table. It also reminds everyone that Ethereum isn’t just for day traders and memecoins. It’s still attracting long-term believers who are willing to lock up serious capital. And when someone silent since 2015 makes a move like this, the market tends to pay attention.

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Key Takeaways

• An Ethereum ICO whale just staked 150,000 ETH worth $645 million after nearly a decade of inactivity, signaling renewed confidence.
• The wallet still holds over 850,000 ETH, valued at more than $1.1 billion, showing this move was not an exit but a long-term play.
• This massive stake follows a trend where large ETH holders are choosing staking over selling, reinforcing belief in Ethereum’s future.
• The timing aligns with ETH’s strong price action and growing speculation around interest rate cuts, both of which support bullish sentiment.
• Such whale activity removes potential sell pressure and reminds the market that Ethereum remains a serious platform for long-term holders.

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