Ethereum Whales Ramp Up Accumulation as Supply Tightens, Price Holds Above $3,700

Ethereum (ETH) is witnessing aggressive accumulation by large holders, commonly referred to as 'whales,' as concerns over a supply crunch grow. The cryptocurrency has been consolidating above the $3,700 mark, attracting both anonymous wallets and institutional buyers like Trump's World Liberty Fi. These entities are absorbing available liquidity through over-the-counter (OTC) deals and open market purchases, further tightening ETH's supply dynamics. Currently, over 22 million ETH are held in accumulation addresses, signaling strong confidence in the asset's future despite elevated price levels. This trend underscores the bullish sentiment surrounding Ethereum, as institutional and high-net-worth investors position themselves ahead of potential supply constraints. The increased demand from whales could propel ETH to new highs, reinforcing its status as a leading digital asset in the crypto market.

Whales Accelerate ETH Accumulation Amid Supply Crunch Fears

Ethereum whales are aggressively accumulating ETH through both over-the-counter deals and open market purchases as the asset consolidates above $3,700. New anonymous wallets and institutional entities like Trump's World Liberty Fi have entered the buying spree, absorbing available liquidity despite higher price levels.

The token's supply dynamics show increasing tightness, with over 22 million ETH now held in accumulation addresses - a figure that has grown vertically since May. Nearly 7 million ETH migrated to these dormant wallets in recent months, suggesting strategic positioning ahead of potential corporate demand and ETF approvals.

Market observers note ETH's 11.2% dominance could catalyze broader altcoin momentum. The current buying pressure, particularly from whales establishing new positions, indicates conviction in Ethereum's fundamentals as staking, DeFi, and institutional reserve requirements compete for shrinking available supply.

Bitwise Predicts $20 Billion Institutional Surge for Ethereum Amid Historic Demand Shock

Ethereum is experiencing unprecedented institutional demand, with Bitwise forecasting a $20 billion influx. Spot ethereum ETPs and corporate treasuries have absorbed over $10 billion worth of ETH in recent weeks—32 times the net new supply during the same period. This surge marks a dramatic shift from the stagnant inflows observed after the ETF launch in July 2024.

The ethereum price has rebounded sharply, gaining 50% in the past month and 150% since April lows. Despite this rally, the $4,000 psychological resistance remains untested since mid-December 2024. Institutional players like BitMine and SharpLink Gaming are now allocating treasury reserves to ETH, exacerbating the supply crunch.

"ETPs have pulled in more than $5 billion since May 15," noted Bitwise's Hougan. The supply-demand imbalance is creating a historic bullish setup for Ethereum, with institutional accumulation far outpacing issuance.

Consensys Cuts 7% of Staff in Latest Crypto Industry Restructuring

Consensys, the Ethereum-focused software firm behind MetaMask, has laid off 49 employees—roughly 7% of its workforce—as part of a profitability-focused restructuring. The MOVE follows its recent acquisition of Web3Auth, a startup with 30 staffers who will remain onboard. Hiring continues for select roles, with Brooklyn housing its largest office.

This marks the second downsizing in under two years. In early 2023, Consensys eliminated 11% of jobs citing macroeconomic headwinds, preceded by a 20% reduction in 2022. The cuts come despite a regulatory thaw in the US under President Trump’s second term, which has pivoted to embrace crypto after earlier skepticism.

The restructuring reflects persistent volatility in crypto enterprises even as policy tailwinds emerge. Ethereum’s infrastructure leaders face pressure to streamline operations while navigating shifting market dynamics.

Mistrial Looms in Tornado Cash Case as Defense Fails to Link Stolen Funds to Platform

Roman Storm's legal team is preparing to seek a mistrial in the high-profile Tornado Cash case after failing to establish that $250,000 allegedly stolen from a witness in a 2021 pig butchering scam passed through the cryptocurrency mixer. Defense attorney David Patton informed Judge Katherine Polk Failla that their investigation uncovered no evidence connecting Hanfeng Leng's lost funds to Tornado Cash.

The potential mistrial threatens to derail the prosecution's case, which has been closely watched by the cryptocurrency industry. If granted, the proceedings WOULD reset entirely, forcing prosecutors to regroup and potentially file new charges. This development comes amid growing scrutiny of privacy-focused crypto tools and their alleged role in facilitating illicit transactions.

Tornado Cash, an Ethereum-based mixing service, has been at the center of regulatory battles since its sanctioning by the U.S. Treasury Department in 2022. The platform's founders maintain it was designed to provide financial privacy rather than enable criminal activity. The case's outcome could set important precedents for developer liability in decentralized finance projects.

BitMine Soars After $182M Ethereum Bet by ARK Invest

BitMine's strategic shift into Ethereum has drawn significant institutional interest, highlighted by ARK Invest's $182 million commitment. The move signals growing confidence in ETH's long-term value proposition amid evolving market dynamics.

Crypto markets continue to attract major capital inflows, with institutional players increasingly positioning themselves in Core blockchain assets. ARK's substantial ETH acquisition through BitMine reflects this trend toward quality infrastructure plays.

Sharplink Gaming Ethereum Bet Hits $259M in ETH

Sharplink Gaming has made headlines with a $259 million Ethereum bet, marking a significant milestone as the first publicly listed company to engage in such a substantial crypto wager. The move underscores growing institutional confidence in Ethereum's value proposition.

The gaming firm's bold bet reflects broader trends of traditional companies embracing digital assets. Ethereum continues to solidify its position as the leading platform for smart contracts and decentralized applications, attracting both institutional and retail interest.