Ethereum Price Prediction as Vitalik Buterin Continues ETH Selling

Vitalik Buterin continued to sell Ethereum in February 2026 as ETH traded lower. On-chain tracking data shows about 1,869 ETH sold in the past two days. That amount was valued at nearly $3.67 million at the time.

The data places February sales near 8,800 ETH valued at around $16 million. Earlier in the month, another batch of roughly 3,500 ETH was recorded, valued at nearly $6.95 million.

ETH weakness has appeared alongside these sales over several windows. In early February, ETH fell from about $2,360 to around $1,825 after Vitalik Buterin sold 6,958 ETH. The move represented a decline of roughly 22.7%.

As previously revealed, Vitalik Buterin controls more than 224,000 ETH across known wallets, valued near $439 million at around $1,900 per ETH. His known balance peaked near 662,810 ETH in 2015 and has since declined to roughly 0.20% of the supply by the end of 2025.

Vitalik Buterin and Ethereum Foundation Funding Context

The Ethereum Foundation entered a period of “mild austerity” on January 30, a move highlighted by Vitalik Buterin as part of a tighter approach to spending and resource management. The message signaled stronger budget discipline and more deliberate allocation decisions.

Around the same period, 16,384 ETH was transferred to support the foundation. The plan positioned the funds for gradual use over the next few years, framing the transfer as long-term operational support rather than a near-term cash event. Even with that longer runway, February flows drew attention after sales activity followed shortly afterward.

Ethereum Price Prediction From a Fractal Setup

ETH traded near $1,900 during the latest update window. That level followed a daily drop of more than 3.5%, with weekly losses near 5% and monthly losses at 30%.

Source: CoinCodex

Turnover increased during the decline. Reported 24-hour trading volume rose about 72% to $18 billion. Higher volume often appears when traders rebalance positions during sharp moves.

For price prediction, one analyst compared the current structure with Q4 2025. In both periods, Ethereum traded within a descending channel, formed a temporary consolidation range, and then broke down sharply. The current price action mirrors the earlier setup, with a corrective bounce forming inside a tightening structure before continuation to the downside.

In Q4 2025, ETH posted a roughly 31% relief rally within the broader downtrend before sliding nearly 48% to the lower boundary of the channel. The present move shows a comparable 31% rebound, followed by another breakdown toward channel support. The repeated pattern of lower highs, compressed consolidation, and accelerated sell-offs strengthens the fractal comparison.

ETHUSD 2-Day Chart | Source: X

If this structure continues to play out, ETH could remain under pressure while respecting the descending channel. 

Dip Buyers Return as Prices Reset Lower

At the same time, lower prices can bring dip buyers back into the market. When ETH falls into visible support zones, some traders rebuild exposure in smaller steps. This behavior can align with rising volume even as price remains weak.

According to data from Lookonchain, a notable rotation back into ETH is underway from a longtime Bitcoin figure. Erik Voorhees, an early Bitcoin supporter and ShapeShift founder, has rebuilt an ETH position after selling last year.

The data shows he previously sold 11,616 ETH for about $33.94 million, at an average price of $2,922. More recently, he bought back 9,911 ETH around $2,057, using roughly $20.38 million in USDC.