Ethereum ICO Wallets Stir After Nearly a Decade of Inactivity

• Three ICO-era wallets reactivated in August and September after 8-10 years.

• Spikes in long-term holder activity hit 502 million on Sept. 6 and 603 million by month’s end.

• These movements include 1,500 ETH to Kraken and 150,000 ETH for staking, valued at millions today.

Ethereum ICO holders awakening: Discover why long-term ETH wallets are moving after a decade. Explore spikes in activity and implications for Ether’s market. Read now for expert insights on crypto trends.

What is causing Ethereum ICO holders to awaken after years of inactivity?

Ethereum ICO holders are showing increased activity due to Ether’s approach to all-time highs in the second half of the year. Long-term holders, including those from the 2014 ICO, have begun transferring tokens after periods of dormancy lasting up to a decade. This trend is driven by market momentum, with analytics from Santiment’s Sanbase platform highlighting significant spikes in the age consumed metric.

How does the age consumed metric reveal long-term Ether holder activity?

The age consumed metric from Santiment’s Sanbase platform calculates the total Ether transferred multiplied by the time since last movement, indicating dormant coins reactivating. In September, it spiked to 502 million around Sept. 6 and peaked at 603 million by month’s end—the highest outside July’s 804 million. These figures underscore a surge in “ICO-era” holder movements, as Ether prices hovered near record levels. Experts note this metric helps track whale behavior without speculation, providing clear data on network dynamics. For instance, Nansen analytics confirmed one whale’s transfer of 1,500 ETH to Kraken after eight years, originally acquired for $6,000 during the ICO and now worth over $78 million.

Over the last three months, three wallets that participated in the Ethereum ICO have started moving tokens again after nearly a decade of inactivity.

Long-term Ether holders have become increasingly active in the second half of the year as Ether toyed with its all-time highs, with more “ICO-era” holders “awakening” after years of dormancy.

September saw two of the most significant spikes in long-term holder activity since the year’s peak in July, as measured by Santiment’s analytics platform Sanbase’s age consumed metric.

The metric measures the total amount of Ether (ETH) changing addresses, multiplied by the time since they last moved. A spike indicates a significant amount of old Ether moving, according to the description.

The metric shows a spike to 502 million, around Sept. 6, and then 603 million at the end of September, the highest in the year outside of July’s high of around 804 million.

Frequently Asked Questions

What triggered the recent movements by Ethereum ICO participants?

Ethereum ICO participants have moved tokens due to Ether’s price surge toward all-time highs, prompting long-term holders to either sell or stake. One whale transferred 1,500 ETH to Kraken after eight years, while another staked 150,000 ETH from a 1 million ETH ICO allocation, reflecting strategic responses to market conditions.

Why are long-term ETH holders activating now in 2025?

Long-term ETH holders are activating in 2025 as Ether nears its peaks, with analytics showing dormancy ending after years. This natural progression aligns with price appreciation, allowing early ICO investors to realize gains or participate in staking, sounding like a clear market evolution when voiced by assistants.

Key Takeaways

• Increased ICO-era activity: Three wallets moved ETH after 8-10 years, signaling confidence in Ether’s value growth from ICO costs to billions.
• Metric spikes highlight trends: Santiment’s age consumed reached 603 million in September, the year’s second-highest, excluding July’s peak.
• Strategic implications: Holders are staking or exchanging, potentially boosting network security—monitor for further whale actions.

Conclusion

The awakening of Ethereum ICO holders underscores the enduring value of early investments in Ether, with spikes in long-term holder activity via metrics like Santiment’s age consumed revealing market vitality. As these dormant wallets activate amid price rallies, it demonstrates Ethereum’s maturing ecosystem. Investors should watch for continued trends, staying informed on long-term ETH holder behaviors to navigate future opportunities.