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. Specifically, the sale of 493 ETH within the last 24 hours has sparked a wave of "Why is Vitalik selling?" questions across social media.
Panic or Plan?
As of today, February 4, 2026, on-chain data confirms that Vitalik Buterin has moved approximately 705 ETH (roughly $1.6 million). Specifically, the sale of 493 ETH within the last 24 hours has sparked a wave of "Why is Vitalik selling?" questions across social media.
However, when we focus on the big picture, the motives behind these moves are crystal clear:
Philanthropy and Science: Vitalik transferred a significant portion of the proceeds (around $500,000) to Kanro, the biotech charity he founded. This foundation funds critical projects for humanity, such as pandemic preparedness and biosecurity research.
Open Source Support: In line with his announcement on January 30th, Vitalik allocated a total of 16,384 ETH (approximately $45 million) to support open-source software, security, and privacy projects. In short, these sales are not a wealth-building operation; they are an ecosystem development move.
How Is the Market Reacting?
Yes, the Ethereum price has been under pressure for the past few days. We are seeing ETH dip from the $3,000 levels to the $2,200 - $2,300 range. But here’s the crucial point: According to analysts, the primary cause of this decline isn't Vitalik’s million-dollar sales, but rather the forced liquidations hit by major market players (whales).
"What Vitalik is doing is like emptying a bucket of water into the ocean. The real wave is caused by the flushing out of over-leveraged positions in the market."
Why Is This Perspective Unique?
Because we don't just look at these events as "sales"; we understand the philosophy behind the movement. Vitalik Buterin is spending a portion of the value he created on social good and technological security. This isn't a founder losing faith in his project; it’s a founder using his gains to make the world a better place.
Final Word: Stay Calm and Focus on the Data
If you see the #VitalikSellsETH hashtag, knowing that it represents a pre-planned, transparent, and donation-oriented strategy—rather than a "dump"—puts you one step ahead. While the Ethereum network is breaking records with over 2.8 million daily transactions, Vitalik’s funding of biotech and privacy tools proves that Ethereum is not just "money," but a tool for building the future.