Ethereum News Today: Vitalik Buterin Returns as Ethereum Surges Past $4,000, Portfolio Hits $1.04 Billion

Vitalik Buterin, co-founder of Ethereum, has once again become a billionaire following a significant surge in the price of ETH, which recently climbed above the $4,000 threshold for the first time in eight months. As of the latest data from Arkham, Buterin’s crypto portfolio is now valued at approximately $1.04 billion, primarily composed of 240,042 ETH and smaller amounts of other tokens [1]. This resurgence in value marks a full-circle moment for Buterin, who first entered the billionaire ranks in May 2021 when ETH reached $3,000 for the first time [5].

The recent price action has been driven by a combination of speculative trading, strong inflows into Ethereum-based ETFs, and a short squeeze triggered by bullish momentum. ETH reached a high of $4,332 in recent trading sessions, its strongest level since December 2024 [1]. In contrast, Bitcoin’s market dominance has seen a slight decline amid the Ethereum rally [2]. Notably, US-based spot Ethereum ETFs have attracted $326.6 million in net inflows over the past five trading days, slightly outpacing Bitcoin ETF inflows of $253.2 million during the same period [4]. These figures suggest growing institutional and retail interest in Ethereum as a strategic asset.

Buterin’s return to billionaire status comes after a temporary drop in value following a market correction in late 2024. His personal history with Ethereum is closely tied to the project’s broader success, with his holdings reflecting the long-term bullish sentiment within the Ethereum community. According to Etherscan, he has held around 333,500 ETH at various points, and his early statements in 2018, where he claimed he had never possessed more than 0.9% of the total supply, highlight his commitment to decentralization and community governance [5].

Analysts have weighed in on the recent price movements. Michaël van de Poppe suggested that while the current level is ideal for taking profits, the removal of short-side liquidity could lead to a short-lived volatile correction before a sustained upward trend resumes [6]. Others have pointed out that if ETH continues to push toward $4,500, approximately $1.35 billion in short positions may be at risk, which could further fuel price appreciation [8]. The broader ecosystem has also shown signs of strength, with increased on-chain activity and transaction volumes signaling heightened interest and usage [7].

Buterin has publicly supported Ethereum treasury investments but has also cautioned against excessive leverage, emphasizing the importance of long-term stability within the ecosystem [6]. His influence continues to shape the narrative around Ethereum, and his return to billionaire status reinforces the growing confidence in the platform’s future, especially as institutional adoption and public interest continue to rise.

Source:

[1] Cointelegraph, https://cointelegraph.com/news/ethereum-vitalik-buterin-onchain-billionaire-eth-price-surging

[2] 99Bitcoins, https://99bitcoins.com/news/presales/eth-price-continues-to-rise-as-vitalik-buterin-becomes-a-billionaire-once-again/

[4] CoinGlass, https://www.coinglass.com

[5] Cointelegraph, https://cointelegraph.com/news/what-happened-in-crypto-today

[6] Bankless podcast, https://bankless.com/podcast/

[7] Bitget, https://www.bitget.com/news/detail/12560604904689

[8] Bitget, https://www.bitget.com/news/detail/12560604904685