The post $120M ICO Wallet Stakes 40,000 ETH appeared on BitcoinEthereumNews.com. Key Takeaways: A dormant Ethereum ICO wallet holding 40,000 ETH (~$120M) became active after more than a decade. Instead of selling, the owner began staking ETH and moved a small test amount to a new address. The event highlights long-term conviction and adds new discussion around whale behavior in the staking era. For the first time in over ten years, one of Ethereum’s earliest ICO wallets has come back online and instead of triggering sell-off fears, its owner took a surprising path: staking tens of thousands of ETH. Blockchain analysts say the activity offers a rare glimpse into the mindset of ultra-early Ethereum investors as the ecosystem shifts deeper into a proof-of-stake economy. Read More: Ethereum Dominates 2025 Developer Landscape With Over 16K New Builders A Decade-Old Whale Returns With 40,000 ETH On-chain data shows that wallet 0x2dCA, which received 40,000 ETH during the Ethereum ICO in 2014, became active this week after more than a decade of total dormancy. At current prices, the holdings are valued at around $120 million. Lookonchain was the first to flag the movement, noting that the wallet initially sent 5 ETH as a test transaction to a fresh address. The amount is tiny compared to the total balance, but it immediately drew attention due to the wallet’s extraordinary history. Records confirm the original ICO allocation cost the participant only $12,400, meaning the ETH stack has appreciated nearly 9,600x. What shocked the market was not the return but what followed next. The whale did not actually cash out and only hours after the small test transfer, wasted the entire 40,000 ETH staking it in long-term yield. This one decision changed the market story, which was filled with fear, to wonder. Even after the awakening, ETH price did not become unstable due to the huge size… The post $120M ICO Wallet Stakes 40,000 ETH appeared on BitcoinEthereumNews.com. Key Takeaways: A dormant Ethereum ICO wallet holding 40,000 ETH (~$120M) became active after more than a decade. Instead of selling, the owner began staking ETH and moved a small test amount to a new address. The event highlights long-term conviction and adds new discussion around whale behavior in the staking era. For the first time in over ten years, one of Ethereum’s earliest ICO wallets has come back online and instead of triggering sell-off fears, its owner took a surprising path: staking tens of thousands of ETH. Blockchain analysts say the activity offers a rare glimpse into the mindset of ultra-early Ethereum investors as the ecosystem shifts deeper into a proof-of-stake economy. Read More: Ethereum Dominates 2025 Developer Landscape With Over 16K New Builders A Decade-Old Whale Returns With 40,000 ETH On-chain data shows that wallet 0x2dCA, which received 40,000 ETH during the Ethereum ICO in 2014, became active this week after more than a decade of total dormancy. At current prices, the holdings are valued at around $120 million. Lookonchain was the first to flag the movement, noting that the wallet initially sent 5 ETH as a test transaction to a fresh address. The amount is tiny compared to the total balance, but it immediately drew attention due to the wallet’s extraordinary history. Records confirm the original ICO allocation cost the participant only $12,400, meaning the ETH stack has appreciated nearly 9,600x. What shocked the market was not the return but what followed next. The whale did not actually cash out and only hours after the small test transfer, wasted the entire 40,000 ETH staking it in long-term yield. This one decision changed the market story, which was filled with fear, to wonder. Even after the awakening, ETH price did not become unstable due to the huge size…

$120M ICO Wallet Stakes 40,000 ETH

Key Takeaways:

  • A dormant Ethereum ICO wallet holding 40,000 ETH (~$120M) became active after more than a decade.
  • Instead of selling, the owner began staking ETH and moved a small test amount to a new address.
  • The event highlights long-term conviction and adds new discussion around whale behavior in the staking era.

For the first time in over ten years, one of Ethereum’s earliest ICO wallets has come back online and instead of triggering sell-off fears, its owner took a surprising path: staking tens of thousands of ETH. Blockchain analysts say the activity offers a rare glimpse into the mindset of ultra-early Ethereum investors as the ecosystem shifts deeper into a proof-of-stake economy.

Read More: Ethereum Dominates 2025 Developer Landscape With Over 16K New Builders

A Decade-Old Whale Returns With 40,000 ETH

On-chain data shows that wallet 0x2dCA, which received 40,000 ETH during the Ethereum ICO in 2014, became active this week after more than a decade of total dormancy. At current prices, the holdings are valued at around $120 million.

Lookonchain was the first to flag the movement, noting that the wallet initially sent 5 ETH as a test transaction to a fresh address. The amount is tiny compared to the total balance, but it immediately drew attention due to the wallet’s extraordinary history. Records confirm the original ICO allocation cost the participant only $12,400, meaning the ETH stack has appreciated nearly 9,600x.

What shocked the market was not the return but what followed next. The whale did not actually cash out and only hours after the small test transfer, wasted the entire 40,000 ETH staking it in long-term yield. This one decision changed the market story, which was filled with fear, to wonder.

Even after the awakening, ETH price did not become unstable due to the huge size of the wallet. The speculators on X bet that the staking style of the whale was more reassuring to the market than disruptive to it. Small transfers from dormant wallets often act as preliminary tests before a major move but staking is a distinctly different signal.

Source: https://www.cryptoninjas.net/news/ethereum-whale-awakens-after-10-years-120m-ico-wallet-stakes-40000-eth/

Market Opportunity
Ambire Wallet Logo
Ambire Wallet Price(WALLET)
$0.01104
$0.01104$0.01104
-9.43%
USD
Ambire Wallet (WALLET) Live Price Chart
Disclaimer: The articles reposted on this site are sourced from public platforms and are provided for informational purposes only. They do not necessarily reflect the views of MEXC. All rights remain with the original authors. If you believe any content infringes on third-party rights, please contact service@support.mexc.com for removal. MEXC makes no guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of the content and is not responsible for any actions taken based on the information provided. The content does not constitute financial, legal, or other professional advice, nor should it be considered a recommendation or endorsement by MEXC.

You May Also Like

Japan-Based Bitcoin Treasury Company Metaplanet Completes $1.4 Billion IPO! Will It Buy Bitcoin? Here Are the Details

Japan-Based Bitcoin Treasury Company Metaplanet Completes $1.4 Billion IPO! Will It Buy Bitcoin? Here Are the Details

The post Japan-Based Bitcoin Treasury Company Metaplanet Completes $1.4 Billion IPO! Will It Buy Bitcoin? Here Are the Details appeared on BitcoinEthereumNews.com. Japan-based Bitcoin treasury company Metaplanet announced today that it has successfully completed its public offering process. Metaplanet Grows Bitcoin Treasury with $1.4 Billion IPO The company’s CEO, Simon Gerovich, stated in a post on the X platform that a large number of institutional investors participated in the process. Among the investors, mutual funds, sovereign wealth funds, and hedge funds were notable. According to Gerovich, approximately 100 institutional investors participated in roadshows held prior to the IPO. Ultimately, over 70 investors participated in Metaplanet’s capital raising. Previously disclosed information indicated that the company had raised approximately $1.4 billion through the IPO. This funding will accelerate Metaplanet’s growth plans and, in particular, allow the company to increase its balance sheet Bitcoin holdings. Gerovich emphasized that this step will propel Metaplanet to its next stage of development and strengthen the company’s global Bitcoin strategy. Metaplanet has recently become one of the leading companies in Japan in promoting digital asset adoption. The company has previously stated that it views Bitcoin as a long-term store of value. This large-scale IPO is considered a significant step in not only strengthening Metaplanet’s capital but also consolidating Japan’s role in the global crypto finance market. *This is not investment advice. Follow our Telegram and Twitter account now for exclusive news, analytics and on-chain data! Source: https://en.bitcoinsistemi.com/japan-based-bitcoin-treasury-company-metaplanet-completes-1-4-billion-ipo-will-it-buy-bitcoin-here-are-the-details/
Share
BitcoinEthereumNews2025/09/18 08:42
InvestCapitalWorld Updates Platform Features to Support Broader Multi-Asset Market Access

InvestCapitalWorld Updates Platform Features to Support Broader Multi-Asset Market Access

The post InvestCapitalWorld Updates Platform Features to Support Broader Multi-Asset Market Access appeared on BitcoinEthereumNews.com. Paris, France, January 16th
Share
BitcoinEthereumNews2026/01/16 21:27
Why X Banned Information Finance Apps In 2026

Why X Banned Information Finance Apps In 2026

The post Why X Banned Information Finance Apps In 2026 appeared on BitcoinEthereumNews.com. InfoFi Tokens Crash: Why X Banned Information Finance Apps In 2026 Skip
Share
BitcoinEthereumNews2026/01/16 21:32