Dormant Ethereum Whale Surfaces With 6335x Gain

Edgen Crypto

·Feb 16 2026, 06:34

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Key Takeaways

An Ethereum wallet, untouched since the initial coin offering (ICO), has become active after 10.6 years. The wallet's initial $443 investment in 1430 ETH is now valued at $2.81 million, and a recent failed transaction suggests the owner may be preparing to sell, introducing potential volatility into the market.

A wallet containing 1430 ETH has become active for the first time in 10.6 years.
The holdings, initially acquired for $443, are now worth approximately $2.81 million.
A failed transfer attempt to the Gemini exchange signals a potential sell-off, putting traders on high alert for increased selling pressure.

Dormant ICO Wallet Nets 6335x Return on $443 Bet

An early investor in Ethereum's Initial Coin Offering (ICO) has reappeared on-chain after 10.6 years of inactivity. The wallet holds 1430 ETH, which was initially acquired for a total of $443. Today, that same holding is valued at approximately $2.81 million, marking an extraordinary 6,335-fold return on the initial investment. This event highlights the massive potential returns generated for the earliest participants in the Ethereum network.

Failed Gemini Transfer Signals Potential $2.8M Sell-Off

The whale's re-emergence was marked by a recent on-chain action: a failed attempt to transfer 1 ETH to the Gemini cryptocurrency exchange. While the transaction did not complete, the intent to move funds to a centralized exchange is a classic signal that an owner may be preparing to liquidate assets. The prospect of a $2.81 million sell order introduces uncertainty and potential selling pressure for ETH. As a result, market participants are now closely monitoring the wallet's activity to gauge the investor's next move and its potential impact on price stability.