Ethereum News Today: Wealthy Investors Move $955M in ETH to Cold Storage—Prepping for a Bull Run

Over 200,000 Ethereum (ETH) tokens were withdrawn from major cryptocurrency exchanges within a 48-hour period, marking one of the largest outflows observed in recent months. This substantial movement of ETH into private wallets and cold storage signals a significant accumulation effort by large investors, according to on-chain analytics from Santiment and Brave New Coin. The withdrawals coincided with a sharp rise in ETH’s price, which climbed to $4,776, nearing its all-time high of $4,868 established in 2021. Analysts have interpreted the move as a sign of reduced selling pressure and increased confidence in Ethereum’s long-term trajectory [1].

The sudden outflow of ETH reflects broader macroeconomic dynamics, particularly in response to the U.S. Federal Reserve’s recent dovish stance. At the Jackson Hole Economic Symposium on August 22, 2025, Fed Chair Jerome Powell indicated that the central bank may consider rate cuts as early as September, citing a shifting balance of economic risks. This policy shift has triggered a broader rotation into risk assets, with Ethereum outpacing most altcoins in terms of price performance. The cryptocurrency’s surge has rekindled speculation about its potential to break the $5,000 psychological threshold [2].

Technical indicators suggest that Ethereum is at a critical juncture. Exchange-held balances of ETH have dropped to approximately 5.82 million, the lowest level seen in months. This drop aligns with historical patterns where similar outflows have preceded significant price increases. Analysts note that when large players begin moving assets off exchanges, it is typically a long-term positioning strategy rather than short-term trading activity. The withdrawal of such a large volume of ETH into private storage suggests that institutional and high-net-worth investors are preparing for a prolonged bullish phase [1].

Meanwhile, U.S. spot Ethereum ETFs have experienced mixed inflows and outflows in recent weeks. While these funds currently hold around 5.08% of the total ETH supply, valued at approximately $26.7 billion, they recorded $197 million in outflows on Monday, according to BRN. This marked one of the largest single-day withdrawals since their launch. In contrast, spot Bitcoin ETFs saw outflows of $122 million on the same day, reflecting broader investor caution around market highs. However, despite these outflows, Ethereum ETF holdings remain a growing portion of the total circulating supply, with recent inflows pushing cumulative holdings above $27.6 billion [3].

The recent Ethereum price surge has also been influenced by increased institutional staking activity and broader macroeconomic developments. Corporate treasuries and institutional investors have continued to accumulate Ethereum, with some firms, such as SharpLink Gaming, now holding over 740,000 ETH in reserves. This accumulation has sparked debate within the community, with some arguing that it enhances network security and value, while others suggest it may dilute the decentralized nature of the network. In addition, discussions are ongoing regarding the European Central Bank’s potential to explore Ethereum as a platform for a digital euro, signaling broader institutional interest in the blockchain [4].

The coming weeks will likely be pivotal for Ethereum, with the Fed’s September policy decision expected to play a decisive role in shaping market sentiment. While technical indicators remain mixed—some analysts caution that Ethereum is approaching overbought territory—fundamental factors such as continued staking demand, DeFi innovation, and institutional adoption suggest a strong foundation for further gains. If Ethereum can successfully break through the $4,868 resistance level, it may set the stage for a potential move toward $5,000, particularly if macroeconomic conditions remain supportive [2].

Source:

[1] Ethereum News: Price Skyrockets as 200,000 ETH Leaves Exchanges in 48 Hours (https://thetradable.com/crypto/ethereum-news-price-skyrockets-as-200000-eth-leaves-exchanges-in-48-hours-ig--m)

[2] Ethereum Nears $4868 ATH as Fed Policy Sparks 12% Rally—Is $5000 Within Reach? (https://bravenewcoin.com/insights/ethereum-eth-price-prediction-ethereum-nears-4868-ath-as-fed-policy-sparks-12-rally-is-5000-within-reach)

[3] US spot Ethereum ETFs now hold over 5% of ETH supply (https://www.theblock.co/post/367378/ethereum-etfs-eth-supply)

[4] US spot Ether ETFs rebound with $287.6 million inflows after four days of outflows (https://www.mitrade.com/insights/news/live-news/article-3-1062812-20250823)

[5] Ethereum ETFs Lose $197 Million—Even Worse Than Bitcoin (https://finance.yahoo.com/news/ethereum-etfs-lose-197-million-152531921.html)