worldcoinindex.com
Ethereum is facing renewed pressure in February 2026 as co-founder Vitalik Buterin ramps up the pace of his $ETH sales while exchange inflows climb to their highest levels in months.
Over the course of February, Buterin has offloaded more than 8,800 $ETH, valued at roughly $18.45 million. The transactions follow his earlier disclosure that he withdrew 16,384 $ETH to fund long-term initiatives, with plans to gradually deploy the capital over the coming years. He also noted that he is exploring secure decentralized staking strategies to channel staking rewards toward those broader goals.
Early in the month, nearly 7,000 $ETH was sold as the asset slid from around $2,360 to $1,825—a decline of more than 22%. In the past several days, an additional 1,800+ $ETH changed hands, coinciding with another short-term dip from just under $2,000 to the mid-$1,800 range.
Despite the recent sales, on-chain data indicates that Buterin still controls over 224,000 $ETH, leaving him with a substantial long-term position even after February’s disposals.
Binance Inflows Hit Highest Since November
At the same time, Ethereum deposits to Binance have accelerated sharply. Over the past 30 days, total inflows reportedly reached approximately $33.3 billion—the highest level recorded since November 2025.
Large-scale transfers to exchanges are often interpreted as a precursor to trading activity, and in some cases, potential selling pressure. However, elevated inflows do not automatically signal bearish intent. They can also reflect portfolio rebalancing, hedging strategies, or positioning ahead of volatility-driven opportunities.
Still, the combination of high-profile token sales and swelling exchange balances places $ETH in a sensitive technical zone. Whether this added supply is absorbed smoothly by buyers—or tips the market toward deeper downside—will likely shape Ethereum’s next directional move.
Staking Demand Slows
Compounding the situation is a noticeable cooling in Ethereum staking participation. Slower staking inflows suggest that some holders may prefer liquidity over locking tokens amid broader macro uncertainty.
If net staking growth flattens or turns negative, more $ETH remains in liquid circulation. That dynamic can amplify short-term supply pressure, particularly if demand fails to keep pace.
Market Reaction
As of the latest session, $ETH was trading near $1,868, down over 5% in 24 hours. The asset remains in a broader downtrend, weighed by cautious risk sentiment across the crypto market.
With rising exchange balances, softer staking demand, and continued token sales from one of Ethereum’s most prominent figures, the coming weeks could prove pivotal in determining whether $ETH stabilizes—or extends its slide further.