Ethereum Whales Back in Accumulation Mode: Big Names Make Bold Moves
Ethereum whales are returning to accumulation mode, and this time, it’s not just retail panic-buying. Major players are making calculated moves. Justin Sun, the founder of TRON, recently staked 45,000 ETH—worth approximately $154.5 million—through Lido, the largest Ethereum liquid staking platform.
This deposit came shortly after he withdrew the same amount from AAVE, signaling a strategic shift from lending yield to staking rewards. Sun now holds roughly $534 million in Ethereum, slightly more than his TRX holdings valued at around $519 million. For someone who built an empire on TRON, this sends a loud message: Ethereum is still the king of smart contracts, and Sun clearly recognizes its dominance.
Data from Arkham Intelligence confirms this transfer, showing the entire move executed in a single on-chain transaction. This action caused a minor uptick in Lido’s total value locked, reflecting growing confidence in Ethereum staking.
The Billion-Dollar ETH Whale Accumulation
Justin Sun is not alone in making aggressive plays. Over the past three days, on-chain data reveals that whales have collectively purchased 394,682 ETH—worth roughly $1.37 billion.
In a market where many traders are still waiting for Bitcoin to confirm a breakout, smart money is quietly building exposure to Ethereum. These are not retail-level buys but multi-million-dollar inflows from institutional and high-net-worth wallets.
On-chain researcher 0xNonceSense pointed out that this accumulation pattern coincides with ETH’s recent dip, suggesting that whales are heavily dollar-cost averaging rather than chasing price action.
Tom Lee’s Bitmine Makes a Big Entrance
Adding fuel to the bullish narrative, Tom Lee’s Bitmine recently purchased 40,718 ETH—a transaction valued at $137 million. This acquisition represents over 10% of total whale accumulation for the week.
Bitmine’s aggressive positioning signals strong institutional confidence, even as Ethereum price consolidates. Rather than waiting for a breakout, they appear to be betting on it. Market watchers interpret this as a powerful vote of confidence in Ethereum’s fundamentals.
If institutions are increasing exposure while the broader market hesitates, it may mark the early stages of a new accumulation phase for ETH.
Ethereum’s Record 24,192 TPS: A New Scaling Era
While whales accumulate, Ethereum itself achieved a record 24,192 transactions per second (TPS)—the highest throughput in its history. This milestone is largely thanks to Layer 2 (L2) solutions, especially Lighter, which consistently processes around 4,000 TPS since its launch.
This breakthrough signifies the beginning of Ethereum’s scaling era, where L2s handle the execution layer, positioning Ethereum as a settlement and security backbone for the entire ecosystem.
The improvement is not just a technical milestone; it represents a narrative shift. For years, critics pointed to slow transaction speeds and high gas fees as evidence that Ethereum couldn’t scale. Now, the data proves otherwise. Developers and analysts see this as validation that Ethereum’s roadmap is delivering results. L2s are no longer experimental—they are production-ready and driving real usage.
The Bigger Picture: Smart Money Accumulation
When Ethereum whales buy during quiet markets, it often signals the start of a new accumulation cycle. Smart money tends to act before narratives shift, before headlines change, and well before retail buyers notice.
What’s happening now is a perfect example:
- 394,682 ETH bought in just three days
- $1.37 billion in inflows
- 45,000 ETH staked by Justin Sun
- 40,718 ETH bought by Bitmine
These are strategic moves by informed entities who understand where the market is headed. Ethereum’s fundamentals are stronger than ever—with record throughput, robust validator yields, and a growing ecosystem of L2 projects.
Meanwhile, prices are consolidating, and on-chain data shows consistent outflows from exchanges—a signal that investors are moving ETH off trading platforms into long-term storage or staking.
Why the Market Should Pay Attention
The combination of whale accumulation and record network performance paints a bullish medium-term picture for Ethereum. Historically, similar on-chain activity has preceded major rallies.
The 2021 bull run, for example, began with comparable waves of whale buying focused on staking and long-term holding. The difference this time is the scale and infrastructure in place.
Ethereum’s L2 ecosystem—including Arbitrum, Optimism, and now Lighter—can handle thousands of transactions per second, supporting a global network of decentralized apps and finance.
Simultaneously, the liquid staking economy—led by platforms such as Lido, Rocket Pool, and EigenLayer—offers new yield opportunities, incentivizing whales to hold ETH long-term rather than trade short-term.
The Ethereum story right now isn’t just about price; it’s about conviction. While traders panic over short-term volatility, billionaires and institutions are building long-term exposure.
Justin Sun’s $150 million staking move and Bitmine’s $137 million purchase are clear statements: those with the most information and resources are betting heavily on Ethereum’s future.
With record network speeds, surging whale activity, and a maturing ecosystem, Ethereum appears to be entering a new phase—one led by fundamentals rather than hype.
So, when you see the next dip, remember who’s buying it.
Disclosure: This is not trading or investment advice. Always do your own research before buying any cryptocurrency or investing in any services.
https://themerkle.com/justin-sun-stakes-150m-in-ethereum-as-whales-quietly-load-up/