August 12, 2025
5 min read
Gijs O.
Mysterious Whale Buys $1B in Ethereum as It Overtakes Mastercard
An unidentified entity has been on a buying spree for Ethereum, snapping up nearly $1 billion worth of ETH in just one week, a move that coincides with Ethereum’s market cap overtaking Mastercard.In Brief
- An unidentified entity purchased 221,166 ETH (worth nearly $1B) in the past week using six wallets linked to Galaxy Digital, FalconX, and BitGo.
- Ethereum’s market cap hit $523 billion, surpassing Mastercard’s $519 billion valuation, after a 21% rally pushed ETH above $4,300.
- Analysts predict ETH could reach $20,000 within 6-8 months, though Vitalik Buterin warns against excessive leverage in corporate ETH holdings.
- Companies Are Loading Up on Ethereum: Here's Why
- Ethereum's Latest Surge: Market Cap Overtakes Major Financial Giants
- Understanding Cryptocurrency Wallets: A Beginner's Guide
Whale Accumulates 221,166 ETH in a Week
Blockchain analytics platform Lookonchain reported that the mysterious buyer acquired 221,166 ETH over the past seven days, representing a roughly 21% rally in price during the same period. In the past 24 hours alone, the entity purchased $212 million in Ethereum. The acquisitions are spread across six wallets linked to crypto firms Galaxy Digital, FalconX, and BitGo. The largest wallet holds $181 million worth of ETH, while the smallest still contains an impressive $128 million. This aggressive accumulation comes as the number of Ethereum addresses holding over 10,000 ETH climbed to 868,886 on Saturday, the highest level in a year, according to Glassnode.Ethereum’s Market Cap Overtakes Mastercard
Ethereum’s surge has pushed its market capitalization to $523 billion, surpassing Mastercard’s $519 billion valuation. Publicly traded companies have been adding to their ETH reserves as well. CoinGecko data shows that over 304,000 ETH, worth $1.3 billion, was added to corporate treasuries in the past week. The biggest mover was BitMine Immersion Technologies, which purchased more than 208,000 ETH ($900 million), followed by SharpLink Gaming with $303 million worth of Ethereum.Analysts Eye $20K ETH
Bullish sentiment is spreading among technical analysts. Nilesh Verma forecasts that ETH could hit $20,000 within six to eight months based on historical price patterns. Meanwhile, Merlijn The Trader suggests the asset could even exceed that milestone. However, not all voices are entirely optimistic. Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin expressed support for companies holding ETH in their treasuries but cautioned against letting this trend become an “overleveraged game” that could destabilize the market. With institutional accumulation, rising corporate interest, and bullish technical setups, Ethereum’s momentum is undeniable, but history has shown that overheated markets can turn quickly.Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Ethereum Market Cap and Value
Q: What is Ethereum's current market capitalization? A: As of the latest data, Ethereum's market capitalization has reached $523 billion. Q: How does Ethereum's market cap compare to Mastercard's? A: Ethereum's market capitalization of $523 billion has surpassed Mastercard's valuation of $519 billion.Institutional Investment and Ethereum Holdings
Q: Who is the mysterious whale accumulating Ethereum? A: The identity of the entity purchasing large amounts of Ethereum is currently unknown. Q: How much Ethereum has been bought recently? A: An unidentified entity has purchased 221,166 ETH, valued at nearly $1 billion, within the past week. Q: Which firms are associated with the wallets making these Ethereum purchases? A: The wallets are linked to crypto firms such as Galaxy Digital, FalconX, and BitGo. Q: How many Ethereum addresses hold a significant amount of ETH? A: The number of Ethereum addresses holding over 10,000 ETH has reached its highest level in a year, with 868,886 addresses. Q: Which companies have been increasing their ETH reserves? A: Several publicly traded companies have increased their ETH reserves, with BitMine Immersion Technologies purchasing over 208,000 ETH and SharpLink Gaming acquiring $303 million worth of Ethereum.Future Price Predictions for Ethereum
Q: What are the price predictions for Ethereum in the coming months? A: Analysts predict ETH could reach $20,000 within 6 to 8 months, with some suggesting it could exceed this target.Warnings and Market Stability
Q: What concerns has Vitalik Buterin raised regarding corporate ETH holdings? A: Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has cautioned against excessive leverage in corporate ETH holdings, warning it could destabilize the market.Crypto Market AI's Take
The significant accumulation of Ethereum by an unidentified whale, coupled with its market cap surpassing established financial institutions like Mastercard, highlights a growing institutional confidence in the digital asset. This trend aligns with our platform's focus on leveraging AI for sophisticated market analysis and automated trading strategies. Our AI tools are designed to identify such significant market movements and offer actionable insights for investors looking to navigate the evolving crypto landscape. For those interested in understanding the underlying technology and market dynamics that drive such shifts, our resources on AI-driven trading strategies and market intelligence can provide deeper context.More to Read:
Source: Mysterious Whale Buys $1B in Ethereum as It Overtakes Mastercard on August 12, 2025.