The Ethereum Foundation has sold 2,795 ETH, valued at approximately $12.7 million, during one of the sharpest market rallies of 2025, according to blockchain data from analytics platform Lookonchain. The move coincided with Ether’s price breaking above $4,500, its highest level so far this year, sparking renewed investor enthusiasm.
The transactions were executed through the foundation-linked address “0xF39…E4B” late Tuesday. At around 10 p.m., the wallet sold 1,695 ETH at an average price of $4,556, receiving 7.72 million DAI. Roughly an hour later, another 1,100 ETH was sold at $4,602, marking a decisive reduction in the wallet’s holdings as prices climbed.
Holdings Drop to Near-Zero ETH
Historical records show that the wallet first received 20,756 ETH from the Ethereum Foundation’s “EF 1” address back in 2017. Following the latest transactions, it now holds just 99.9 ETH (worth about $457,000) alongside 11.6 million DAI.
This sell-off came as Ether rallied 7.2% within 24 hours, reaching $4,579 by late Tuesday — outpacing Bitcoin’s year-to-date performance. The timing suggests a strategic decision by the foundation to lock in gains while the market remains strong.
Institutional Demand Drives Upward Momentum
Ether’s rally has been supported by a surge in institutional participation. Corporate treasuries, including SharpLink Gaming and Bitmine, now collectively hold around $9 billion worth of ETH. Meanwhile, U.S.-listed spot Ethereum exchange-traded funds saw over $1 billion in net inflows on Monday — the largest single-day increase since their debut last year.
This influx of institutional capital has played a pivotal role in sustaining price momentum, providing large stakeholders like the Ethereum Foundation with favorable exit points for partial liquidations.
Profit-Taking or Strategic Rebalancing?
While some analysts view the foundation’s recent ETH sales as profit-taking, others suggest it could be part of a broader treasury rebalancing strategy. Historically, the Ethereum Foundation has sold portions of its holdings during strong market rallies to diversify its reserves, fund ecosystem development, and support long-term project sustainability.
Despite trimming its ETH position, market sentiment remains strongly bullish. Ether has already outperformed Bitcoin in 2025, and analysts say ongoing institutional inflows could keep upward pressure on prices, potentially setting the stage for new multi-year highs in the coming months.
