Ethereum News Today: Vitalik Buterin Back to Billionaire Status as ETH Surges Past $4,000

Vitalik Buterin, co-founder of Ethereum, has once again crossed the on-chain billionaire threshold following a significant price rally in ether [1]. According to blockchain analytics firm Arkham, Buterin’s portfolio is now valued at approximately $1.04 billion, largely driven by his 240,042 ETH holdings [2]. This surge comes as ETH surpassed $4,000 for the first time in eight months, with the token peaking at $4,332 on August 9, 2025 [3].

The price movement reflects broader optimism in the Ethereum ecosystem, supported by strong inflows into ether-based ETFs. On a single day, ETH ETFs saw $461 million in net inflows, outpacing Bitcoin’s $404 million [4]. Major institutions including BlackRock, Fidelity, and Grayscale contributed significantly, collectively purchasing over $440 million in ETH [5]. Over the past five sessions, US-based ETH ETFs have recorded $326.6 million in net flows, reinforcing the growing institutional interest in the asset [6].

Buterin’s current net worth is a repeat of a milestone he first reached in May 2021, when he became a billionaire at the age of 27 after ETH hit $3,000. At that time, his holdings of 333,500 ETH were valued at just over $1.029 billion [7]. While the scale of his current wealth is comparable, the context is different—this resurgence occurs in a market with greater institutional participation and real-world use cases for Ethereum.

In a recent interview, Buterin expressed cautious optimism regarding the growing number of public companies investing in Ethereum. He acknowledged the potential for increased liquidity and accessibility but warned of the risks associated with overleveraging. “If you woke me up in three years to tell me that treasuries led to ETH’s fall, my guess would be that they made it an overly leveraged game,” he stated [8]. His comments highlight the tension between bullish market sentiment and the potential for structural instability.

The price of ETH has also triggered a potential short squeeze, with over $1.35 billion in short positions at risk as the token approaches $4,500 [9]. This dynamic underscores the intensity of market speculation and the rapid shift in positioning among traders. The price surge has also led to Ethereum briefly surpassing MasterCard in market capitalization, reaching a valuation of over $520 billion [10].

Buterin’s return to billionaire status is not only a personal financial milestone but also a reflection of Ethereum’s resilience and continued evolution. As the network continues to integrate new upgrades and applications, the co-founder’s renewed wealth reinforces Ethereum’s role as a foundational asset in the digital economy.

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Source:

[1] https://www.cointribune.com/en/buterin-hits-billionaire-mark-again-in-crypto-assets/

[2] https://cryptonews.com/news/vitalik-buterin-back-in-billionaire-club-as-eth-tops-4k/

[3] https://99bitcoins.com/news/presales/eth-price-continues-to-rise-as-vitalik-buterin-becomes-a-billionaire-once-again/

[4] https://www.ainvest.com/news/ethereum-news-today-vitalik-buterin-returns-ethereum-surges-4-000-portfolio-hits-1-04-billion-2508/

[5] https://www.xt.com/en/blog/post/ethereum-activity-surges-as-vitalik-buterin-regains-onchain-billionaire-status

[6] https://ambcrypto.com/vitalik-buterin-regains-billionaire-status-after-ethereum-surges-past-4000/

[7] https://www.mitrade.com/insights/news/live-news/article-3-1026773-20250810

[8] https://www.ainvest.com/news/ethereum-news-today-vitalik-buterin-reaches-billionaire-status-eth-hits-4-332-2508/