An early-stage Ethereum investor, often referred to as an "ancient whale", has reportedly liquidated a significant portion of their holdings after over a decade of inactivity. According to on-chain analyst Ai Yi, the wallet address, which originally acquired 37,000 ETH during the early days of the network in 2015, has sold 7,507.52 ETH over a nine-hour period. This transaction, executed as the market fluctuates near the short-term support of $2,100, has resulted in estimated profits of approximately 16.93 million dollars.
Historical Returns and Massive ROI
The whale's acquisition dates back to August 2015, with funds traced to withdrawals from the ShapeShift exchange. At that time, Ethereum was trading at a mere $0.31 per token. By selling at an average price of 2,255 dollars, the investor has realized a return on investment (ROI) reaching an extraordinary 156,358%.
The recent activity follows a broader trend of mobilization for this specific wallet:
- Since September 29, the whale has moved a total of 12,163.52 ETH to various exchanges.
- The total value of transferred assets since late September is estimated at 27.54 million dollars.
- The average deposit price across these transfers stands at approximately 2,264 dollars.
Impact on Market Sentiment and Blockchain Data
On-chain data indicates that this whale still holds a substantial portion of their original 2015 balance, though the recent offloading suggests a strategic exit or rebalancing of the portfolio. The timing of the sale coincides with a period of high volatility for Ethereum, which saw nearly 11 million dollars in long liquidations on major exchanges like Binance and OKX during the preceding 24 hours.
This whale's move reflects the immense profit potential of early blockchain adoption. Tracing funds back to 2015 highlights the 'diamond hands' strategy that has defined the early ETH ICO era.
As of November 10, 2026, ETH is trading at approximately 2,132 dollars, down roughly 4.7% on the daily chart. While the market faces sustained selling pressure, analysts note that such "ancient" movements often signal shifts in long-term holder sentiment, though they represent only a fraction of the 122.20 million ETH currently in circulating supply.
The movement of these "dormant" coins is closely monitored by the crypto community as it often leads to temporary liquidity spikes on centralized platforms. Despite the recent sell-off, historical data for the fourth quarter remains a point of interest for investors, as Ethereum has traditionally shown resilience in the final months of the fiscal year.
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For educational purposes only. Nothing here constitutes financial or investment advice. Crypto markets are highly volatile — always DYOR before making any decisions.
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