Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has accelerated his Ethereum (ETH) sales throughout February 2026, offloading over 8,800 ETH this month.
At the same time, Ethereum inflows to Binance have climbed to their highest level since November 2025. The convergence of high-profile selling and rising exchange deposits comes as ETH remains in a broader downtrend.
Vitalik’s ETH Selling Intensifies
BeInCrypto previously reported that Buterin’s ETH sales began in early February. The move was consistent with his disclosed plan to strategically allocate 16,384 ETH toward long-term initiatives over the coming years.
“I have just withdrawn 16,384 ETH, which will be deployed toward these goals over the next few years. I am also exploring secure decentralized staking options that will allow even more capital from staking rewards to be put toward these goals in the long term,” he wrote on X.
However, in February alone, he has sold more than 8,800 ETH, worth approximately $18.45 million, amid already fragile market conditions.
According to the blockchain analytics firm Lookonchain, Buterin sold 6,958 ETH, worth $14.78 million, in early February. During that period, ETH declined from $2,360 to $1,825, marking a 22.7% drop.
Over the past two days, he reportedly sold an additional 1,869 ETH, valued at $3.67 million.
“During that time, $ETH fell from $1,988 to $1,875, down 5.7%,” Lookonchain added.
While the sales may have added short-term pressure to ETH’s price, it is also worth noting that the broader crypto market remains in a sustained downtrend, with macro uncertainty and declining risk appetite weighing on major assets.
After the recent sales, data from Arkham Intelligence shows that Buterin still holds 224,105 ETH.
Binance Inflows Surge to Multi-Month Highs
The Ethereum co-founder’s sales come as Ethereum inflows to Binance have increased sharply. According to an analyst, total inflows to the exchange over the past 30 days reached approximately $33.3 billion, marking the highest level since last November.
Large exchange inflows are often associated with heightened trading activity or potential selling pressure, as investors typically transfer assets to exchanges when preparing to transact. However, the analyst noted that the development should not be viewed as inherently bearish.
“In some cases, elevated inflows reflect strategic repositioning by investors or readiness to engage in higher trading activity, particularly during periods of volatility. Furthermore, strong inflows can precede periods of price stability if the additional supply is absorbed by demand,” the post read.
The analyst added that the inflow levels place the market in a sensitive phase. How ETH reacts to this shift will likely determine whether the inflows translate into sustained selling pressure or represent a redistribution phase ahead of the next directional move.
Still, this is not the only indicator flashing caution. BeInCrypto’s recent report highlighted a sharp decline in Ethereum staking demand.
A slowdown in staking inflows may reflect a growing preference for liquidity amid uncertainty. If net staking declines or reverses, it can increase the circulating ETH supply, potentially contributing to short-term selling pressure, depending on market demand.
Together, rising exchange inflows and declining staking demand point to increasing liquid supply and reduced absorption, suggesting elevated short-term supply-side pressure amid broader market weakness.
At the time of writing, ETH was trading at $1,868.04, down 5.35% over the past 24 hours, reflecting the continued downside pressure.
