Recently, major players in the market have turned their attention back to Ethereum, with a significant increase in whale activity surrounding the second-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization.
Investors are back in accumulation mode. This trend is particularly noteworthy over the last few days, indicating that institutional interest in Ethereum is gaining momentum. The surge in institutional accumulation suggests that big players are increasingly recognizing the potential of Ethereum and are eager to embrace what it has to offer.
Whales Are Actively Accumulating #Ethereum
Since the latter half of 2024, whales have been accumulating $ETH, and this trend has seen a sharp uptick in recent days. pic.twitter.com/XSOW9KeikV
— CryptoRank.io (@CryptoRank_io) June 17, 2025
One prominent institutional whale has particularly caught the eye, making substantial purchases that suggest a long-term confidence in Ethereum despite short-term price fluctuations.
Whale Accumulates Over 85,000 ETH in Just One Week
Recent blockchain data indicates that a major institution has been actively acquiring large amounts of Ether. The over-the-counter (OTC) deal was structured to minimize market disruption. With existing holdings in USDC, this institution was able to acquire Ether smoothly and discreetly. Over the past seven days, the entity has invested $220 million—nearly doubling its Ether holdings since prior accumulation news. The average purchase price during this Ethereum dip was approximately $2,584.
The most significant transaction occurred just 10 hours ago, when the whale added another 15,000 ETH to its portfolio for $37.16 million, reflecting a purchase price of roughly $2,477 per coin. This aggressive accumulation at such scale showcases a level of confidence rarely observed from either individual or institutional investors during price consolidation phases.
Even with a slight dip in ETH’s price, resulting in floating losses of around $4.97 million (approximately 2.25%), the whale appears undeterred. Instead of reallocating into different assets or recognizing losses, the entity has clearly signaled its confidence in Ethereum’s long-term growth by moving all 85,465 ETH into staking.
Staking with Lido Indicates Long-Term Commitment
The whale has opted to stake its newly acquired ETH rather than hold it in wallets for potential trading or reallocating, as is common with whales. By choosing Lido, the whale has taken a less liquid route for accessing or utilizing Ethereum in the near term. This decision highlights a focus on yield generation over short-term speculation, reflecting strong confidence in Ethereum as an investment vehicle.
Staking with Lido does more than support Ethereum’s network security; it also allows the whale to earn passive income monthly. This strategy protects against immediate market downturns, as staked ETH cannot be easily liquidated while accumulating rewards that can lead to substantial future profits. In a market increasingly influenced by regulatory developments and institutional investment, staking aligns with the core principles of cryptocurrency—distributed, decentralized, and unstoppable.
$113 Million in Reserves Held on Aave
Perhaps even more revealing than the ETH accumulation is the whale’s continued holding of $112.94 million in USDC on Aave, one of the leading decentralized lending platforms. This substantial reserve serves as “dry powder” for potential future acquisitions, implying that this institution may still be in the accumulation phase.
By maintaining these funds on Aave, the entity can earn interest while retaining liquidity for future strategic market-making opportunities. This strategy also reinforces the whale’s position in Ethereum, which can further stabilize the cryptocurrency’s price.
With such considerable reserves, the market gains an additional layer of confidence. Should Ethereum’s price decline further, there’s a strong likelihood that this entity would seize the opportunity to buy more, helping to maintain a price floor in the short term.
A Strong Signal in a Volatile Market
Retail sentiment often fluctuates with news cycles and short-term volatility. However, major institutional players present a clearer view of market direction. This week illustrates how, despite surface-level market volatility, serious investors with long-term perspectives are seizing these moments to solidify their positions in the retail sector.
The growth in utility, adoption, and deepening infrastructure of Ethereum is transforming its profile. These three elements are elevating Ethereum’s status from a mere contender in decentralized finance (DeFi) to something with significant weight in the market.