Early Ethereum Investor Moves $1.5M in ETH for First Time in 10 Years

An early Ethereum investor has moved 334.7 ETH worth nearly $1.5 million after holding it for over 10 years. The investor initially purchased the coins during Ethereum's 2014 ICO for $104, and if liquidated at current prices, the move would represent a 14,000x return. This trend of long-dormant wallets reactivating has sparked speculation about potential market impacts.

An early Ethereum investor, identified by the wallet address "0x61b9," has transferred 334.7 ETH worth nearly $1.5 million after holding it for over a decade. The investor initially purchased the coins during Ethereum's 2014 Initial Coin Offering (ICO) for $104. If liquidated at current prices, the move would represent a 14,000x return on the initial investment [1].

The transfer, which occurred on August 16, 2025, follows a recent trend of activity in long-dormant wallets tied to early crypto market pioneers. Bitcoin wallets from the Satoshi era are also seeing funds move in the billions of dollars, sparking speculation about liquidation strategies and market movements [2].

Ethereum, the second-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, has seen its value surge significantly since the ICO. The coin was initially acquired for $104, but its value has grown to $4,435 at the time of writing. The investor's 334.7 ETH, now worth $1.48 million, represents a 14,269x return on the original investment [3].

The activity in dormant wallets underscores the broader dynamics impacting major cryptocurrencies as legacy investors decide whether to capitalize on their enormous gains or hold through fluctuating market conditions. This surge in movement could weigh on the market as observers monitor whether these transactions translate into sell-offs on exchanges, potentially impacting Ethereum's price stability [2].

For now, the recent activity from Ethereum's early investors serves as a striking reminder of the unprecedented wealth-building opportunity that cryptocurrency has presented to early adopters.

References:
[1] https://www.ainvest.com/news/panews-posted-ethereum-ico-participant-0x61b9-transfers-334-7-eth-decade-withdrawal-valued-1-48-million-ico-invested-104-receive-334-7-eth-results-14-269x-return-2508/
[2] https://www.eblockmedia.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=26136
[3] https://thecryptobasic.com/2025/08/16/ethereum-investor-activates-after-10-years-to-move-his-eth-bag-turning-103-into-1-5m/