Ethereum Whales Hit Record Control, Owning 57% of ETH as Small Investors Fall Behind

• Ethereum whales now control 57.35% of supply, marking record dominance and signaling institutional confidence.
• Mid-tier wallets hit a record low, reflecting capital consolidation into fewer hands as retail investors struggle to accumulate.
• Whale activity drives price trends, with ETH regaining $4K, highlighting institutional influence in market movements.

Ethereum’s largest wallet group now holds an all-time high of 57.35% of the total ETH supply, according to Santiment on X. These wallets, each holding over 100K ETH, reflect a trend of increasing accumulation by high-net-worth investors and institutions. 

Meanwhile, mid-tier wallet holders, owning between 100 and 100K ETH, have dropped to their lowest share ever, at just 33.46% of the total supply. Smaller wallets, with less than 100 ETH, have also declined to a near four-year low, now controlling only 9.19% of Ethereum’s supply.

Whale Accumulation Drives Market Trends

This redistribution of Ethereum supply highlights a shift in market dynamics. Large-scale holders, often referred to as whales, are increasingly accumulating ETH. This signals confidence from key stakeholders, especially as Ethereum approaches its 10-year mark. Historically, Ethereum price spikes have coincided with whale accumulation phases, further reinforcing a bullish long-term outlook for the asset.

Source: Santiment

Besides, the declining share of mid-tier wallets suggests capital consolidation into fewer hands. This group, previously influential, has experienced a sharp drop in holdings. Consequently, institutional and major investors now dominate Ethereum’s ownership landscape.

Small Wallets Losing Ground

On the other hand, wallets holding less than 100 ETH have maintained historically low levels. These wallets currently hold only 9.19% of Ethereum’s total supply, marking the lowest share since January 2021. This trend indicates limited accumulation among smaller investors, who appear unable to increase their holdings as larger players consolidate power.

Moreover, the growing influence of whales coincides with notable price movements. Ethereum recently regained the $4,000 level during this accumulation phase, reflecting the significant role whale activity plays in market volatility. The trend emphasizes the increasing dominance of institutional players, while retail investors remain stagnant.