Ethereum Price Prediction Following Vitalik Buterin's Sale of 17,000 ETH

Ethereum's price is currently under intense scrutiny as recent on-chain data indicates significant selling activity from its co-founder, Vitalik Buterin.

Key Takeaways:

Vitalik Buterin sold approximately 17,000 ETH in February, raising concerns among long-term holders.
His wallet balance decreased from about 241,000 ETH to 224,000 ETH due to ongoing monthly sell-offs.
Ethereum is trading at around $1,915, showing a slight daily gain amid a broader bearish trend.
Immediate resistance is observed at the $2,000-$2,100 range, while critical support stands at $1,850 and $1,700.

Ethereum’s current price action has become increasingly complex due to market dynamics.

ethereum price

Buterin's Impact on Market Sentiment

According to Arkham Intelligence, Buterin’s wallets have been notably active throughout February, leading to the offloading of a substantial amount of ETH. The release of 17,000 ETH into the market has created psychological challenges for traders, potentially influencing sentiment negatively for long-term holders.

While Buterin has previously sold portions of his ETH for charitable causes or to further support ecosystem growth, the timing of these sales—coinciding with market consolidation—has heightened attention on Ethereum's short-term price stability.

Ethereum price prediction as Vitalik Buterin sold 17,000 ETH in February - 1

Vitalik Buterin’s ETH balance history | Source: Arkham

Current Ethereum Price Analysis: Bulls Struggle Near $1,900

Examining the daily ETH/USDT chart reveals that Ethereum (ETH) is currently experiencing a challenging recovery phase. Following a significant drop from around $3,400 earlier in the year, the price found short-term support near the $1,800 mark.

Ethereum price prediction as Vitalik Buterin sold 17,000 ETH in February - 2

Ethereum price analysis | Source: Crypto.News

As of February 25, ETH is trading at approximately $1,915, reflecting a modest intraday gain of 3.45%. However, the overall market trend remains bearish, as indicated by the 50-day Simple Moving Average (SMA) at $2,538, which is significantly above the current price—suggesting that sellers are still in control.

Immediate resistance sits at the $2,000–$2,100 range, where the price had stalled previously. To shift towards a recovery narrative, a breakthrough above this level is essential.

On the positive side, the Relative Strength Index (RSI) currently sits at 35.54, indicating a recovery from oversold conditions. The bullish divergence emerging on the RSI suggests that the downward pressure may be waning, possibly leading to a relief rally.

Should $1,850 fail to serve as support, the next significant downside target would be the $1,700 level. For the moment, Ethereum remains in a “wait-and-see” situation, caught between the impacts of Buterin's selling pressure and the signs of technical oversold conditions.