The Reshaping of Ethereum Wealth in 2025: New Forces Behind the Rich List

As Ethereum enters a new phase of development in 2025, its wealth structure is undergoing a remarkable transformation. The “big whales” we once knew are no longer just individual investors, but rather a collective force of protocol-level contracts, exchanges, and institutional investors.

Why is it said that the ETH rich list is being reshaped?

The traditional concept of a “rich list” evokes images of some mysterious tycoon or early whale, but on-chain data shows that those who truly hold large amounts of ETH are not individuals in the traditional sense. According to data from Cointelegraph and others, the top 10 addresses control over 60% of the circulating ETH. This means that Ethereum’s “wealthy” status is shifting from individuals to foundational protocols and institutions.

Regarding protocol power: Why has the Beacon contract become the largest whale?

The Beacon Deposit Contract is the backbone of Ethereum’s PoS, where validators must deposit ETH into this contract to participate in block production. This contract currently controls a very large proportion of ETH. This concentration makes the Ethereum network itself one of the largest holders. Protocol-level holdings enhance network security but also bring potential centralization risks.

The share and responsibility of the exchange in the distribution of ETH

Large exchanges (such as Coinbase, Binance, etc.) hold a significant amount of ETH, which comes from user deposits, trading liquidity, staking services, and more. They are not only providers of liquidity but also play a role in the infrastructure, connecting users with the network.

Company and ETF: How Institutions Are Positioning ETH?

As the Ethereum ecosystem matures, more and more traditional financial companies and publicly listed companies are incorporating ETH as part of their asset allocation.

• BlackRock holds millions of ETH through the iShares Ethereum Trust (ETHA).
• Fidelity’s FETH fund is also actively increasing its holdings.

In addition, some small listed companies (such as BitMine) have publicly stated that they are incorporating ETH into their treasury assets and obtaining passive income through staking. Institutional power is increasingly taking root in the Ethereum infrastructure.

Individual Big Players: Legendary V God and Early Investors

Even though institutions lead, individual large holders cannot be ignored.

• Vitalik Buterin: According to on-chain analysis, he holds approximately 250,000 to 280,000 ETH.
• Rain Lõhmus: Purchased approximately 250,000 ETH during the ICO period, and the wallet has not been used since.
• Joseph Lubin: He is said to hold approximately 500,000 ETH.

In addition, early founders such as Anthony Di Iorio also hold significant positions.

Potential Risks and Governance Considerations on the Rich List

This centralized structure has raised some noteworthy issues:

• Systemic risk: If a large amount of ETH is bound to the same contract (such as the Beacon contract), it may trigger protocol-level risks.
• Governance challenges: The protocol itself or institutions controlling too much ETH may affect decision-making and the direction of the network.
• Decentralized Balance: The ideal of Ethereum is decentralization, but does the excessive concentration of wealth contradict this principle?

What does it mean for small retail investors? The possible direction of ETH ownership in the future.

For ordinary ETH holders (small retail investors), this structural change presents both opportunities and challenges:

• Positive news: Institutional and protocol lock-ups may reduce market selling pressure; improvements in the staking mechanism may bring more rewards.
• Challenge: If the concentration is too high, the influence and network participation of small retail investors may be marginalized.

In the future, Ethereum may need to find a better balance between decentralization and economic efficiency.