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Ethereum Slides, Large Holders Scoop Up $1.6B—Analysts Interpret This Opposing Move

Ethereum Slides, Large Holders Scoop Up $1.6B—Analysts Interpret This Opposing Move

Bitget-RWA2025/09/26 18:16
By:Coin World

- Ethereum whales and institutions accumulate $1.6B in ETH amid market downturn, signaling long-term confidence. - Co-founder Jeffrey Wilcke's Kraken deposit sparks speculation but experts caution against immediate sales. - Kraken's $500M funding and IPO plans highlight its role as a key liquidity hub for institutional investors. - Historical parallels like Bitcoin-to-ETH swaps suggest potential price stabilization as exchange reserves shrink. - Market observers link whale accumulation to Ethereum's layer-

Ethereum Slides, Large Holders Scoop Up $1.6B—Analysts Interpret This Opposing Move image 0

Ethereum’s market landscape has experienced notable shifts, as increased whale transactions and institutional participation point to rising trust in the cryptocurrency. In just two days, 15 major wallets acquired a total of 406,117 ETH—worth about $1.6 billion—from leading exchanges such as Kraken,

, BitGo, and FalconX. This wave of accumulation, monitored by on-chain analytics provider Lookonchain, highlights the growing interest from both institutions and wealthy individuals in even as the broader market faces a downturn. Interestingly, this buying spree occurred while Ethereum’s price slipped from $4,000 to $3,900 over the same timeframe Kraken’s $500M Raise Coincides With Whale Grab of $1.6B in ETH [ 1 ].

This accumulation comes after Ethereum co-founder Jeffrey Wilcke moved 1,500 ETH (valued at $6 million) to Kraken. The transfer has led to speculation about a possible sale, but analysts warn that sending assets to an exchange doesn’t always mean an immediate sell-off. Wilcke has made similar moves before, including a $9.22 million ETH transfer to Kraken in August 2025 and a $262 million transfer in earlier years. While some see his latest action as a liquidity move, others believe it may simply be part of regular portfolio adjustments Ethereum co-founder shifts $6M of ETH, but whales bought $1.6B [ 2 ].

Kraken has emerged as a central player in recent market activity, having secured $500 million in funding at a $15 billion valuation in September 2025. This investment round, backed by private investors, sets the stage for a potential IPO in 2026. During this period, Kraken also saw significant ETH deposits from whale accounts, reinforcing its status as a major liquidity provider for both institutional and retail clients. Co-CEO Arjun Sethi has reiterated the company’s commitment to a long-term vision, noting there is “no rush” to go public Kraken’s $500M Raise Coincides With Whale Grab of $1.6B in ETH [ 1 ].

The recent whale buying mirrors past events, such as one in late August 2025 when a

whale swapped $11.4 billion in BTC for ETH. This move, together with the latest Ethereum whale purchases, suggests a deliberate shift of capital within the crypto market. Experts point out that such trends often come before price stabilization or upward movement, as lower exchange reserves can tighten supply and boost demand ETH whales accumulate 406,117 ETH worth USD 1.6B from Kraken, Galaxy Digital, BitGo and FalconX in 2 days [ 3 ].

Analysts are also watching how whale activity interacts with Ethereum’s broader progress, including ongoing layer-2 scaling projects and DeFi advancements. Despite recent price swings, the continued accumulation by large holders indicates confidence in Ethereum’s future potential and technological development. This trend has also put a spotlight on Kraken’s capabilities in providing institutional-grade custody and trading services Ethereum Co-Founder's $6M Transfer Triggers Speculation as Whales Grab $1.6B in ETH [ 4 ].

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Disclaimer: The content of this article solely reflects the author's opinion and does not represent the platform in any capacity. This article is not intended to serve as a reference for making investment decisions.

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