The recent transfer of approximately 35,000 Ether from the Ethereum Foundation to a wallet associated with the Kraken exchange has reignited discussions about the price trajectory of Ether, which has historically reacted strongly to such actions. This transfer, valued at about $96 million, follows a past instance when the foundation sold 100,000 ETH prior to a significant price increase in 2020.
The Ethereum Foundation has a history of strategic sales, having sold Ether at optimal moments in 2021, leading to considerable gains shortly thereafter. In December 2020, they exchanged 100,000 ETH for around $63 million, an act that preceded a remarkable price surge that saw Ether reach over $4,800 later that year. The timeliness of these sales has led to speculation about the foundation’s recent actions and their potential impact on market performance.
In response to the latest transfer, the Ethereum Foundation’s executive director clarified that the transaction was part of their treasury management activities, aimed at maintaining financial balance rather than being a straightforward sale of assets. The foundation operates on an annual budget of $100 million, which includes grants and salaries, and it has faced challenges in executing treasury activities due to regulatory concerns.
Following the transfer, Ether’s price showed some volatility but remained relatively stable. After dropping to around $2,656 on August 24, it rebounded to nearly $2,808 the next day. This minor fluctuation occurred against the backdrop of a previous notable move, where almost 92,000 ETH was sent from a foundation-associated wallet to an unidentified address.
Currently, it is estimated that the Ethereum Foundation retains about 273,000 Ether, valued over $751 million. Observers are keen to see how these treasury management strategies will influence the Ether market moving forward, particularly amidst evolving regulatory landscapes.
