Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin stepped up his Ethereum (ETH) selling spree in February 2026, with a total of over 8,800 ETH sold that month alone.
At the same time, the amount of ETH deposited into Binance also increased to its highest level since November 2025. The selling by prominent individuals and the sharp increase in coin deposits occurred against the backdrop of the ETH market still being in a deep downtrend.
Vitalik increases ETH sales.
BeInCrypto previously reported that Vitalik Buterin's ETH sale began in early February. This move aligns with his announced plan to strategically allocate 16,384 ETH to long-term projects over the next few years.
“I just withdrew 16,384 ETH, which will be used for the aforementioned purposes over the next few years. I am also researching decentralized, secure Staking solutions to continue using Staking rewards for these goals in the long term,” he Chia on X.
However, in February alone, he sold over 8,800 ETH, worth approximately $18.45 million, amidst a rather volatile market.
According to blockchain analytics firm Lookonchain, at the beginning of February, Buterin sold 6,958 ETH, equivalent to $14.78 million. During this period, the price of ETH fell from $2,360 to $1,825, a decrease of 22.7%.
In just the last two days, he continued to sell an additional 1,869 ETH, worth approximately $3.67 million.
"During this period, ETH dropped from $1,988 to $1,875, a decrease of 5.7%," Lookonchain added.
While this sell-off may increase downward pressure on ETH in the short term, it's also worth noting that the overall crypto market remains weak, influenced by macroeconomic anxieties and growing risk aversion in major assets.
Following the most recent sale, data from Arkham Intelligence shows that Buterin still holds 224,105 ETH.
Money inflows into Binance surged to their highest levels in months.
Vitalik Buterin's ETH sale coincided with a surge in ETH deposits on Binance. According to one analyst, total ETH deposits on the exchange over the past 30 days reached approximately $33.3 billion, the highest level since November last year.
A large volume of coins deposited onto exchanges often signals increased trading activity or potential selling pressure, as investors typically transfer assets to exchanges before trading. However, experts believe this development doesn't necessarily have a negative connotation.
"In many cases, the increase in trading volume is due to investors restructuring their portfolios or preparing for more trading during periods of volatility. Additionally, if demand is large enough to absorb the supply, strong inflows can be a precursor to a period of price stability," the analysis Chia .
Experts added that the high inflow level puts the market in a rather sensitive state. ETH 's reaction to this development could determine whether the influx of coins will prolong selling pressure or simply be a redistribution phase before the price shifts to a new trend.
However, this is not the only warning sign. A recent report by BeInCrypto also shows a sharp decline in demand for Ethereum Staking .
The slowdown in Staking flows indicates a growing preference for liquidation amid risk aversion. If net Staking flows decline or reverse, the circulating supply of ETH will increase, potentially contributing to stronger short-term selling pressure, depending on market demand.
Overall, the increase in coin deposits on exchanges while Staking demand decreases is contributing to a larger supply on the market, poor absorption, and resulting in short-term selling pressure amidst a general market downturn.
