Fast Facts
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Major ETH Holdings: The ETH2 Beacon Deposit Contract currently holds over 72.4 million ETH (about $252 billion), making it the largest holder of Ethereum, significantly surpassing individual wallets and exchanges.
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Lost Wealth: Rain Lohmus, the biggest individual ETH holder, bought 250,000 ETH in 2014 for $75,000; it’s now valued at approximately $871 million, but he can’t access it due to lost private keys.
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Institutional Influence: Major institutions like Binance (4.09M ETH), BlackRock (3.94M ETH), and Coinbase (3.5M ETH) control significant amounts of ETH, underscoring the increasing institutional interest in the asset.
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Notable Government and Stolen Holdings: The U.S. government holds around 60,000 ETH from seizures, while hacker wallets still retain large amounts, including over 156,000 ETH from a 2016 exploit, indicating ongoing security challenges in the space.
ETH2 Beacon Deposit Contract Now Controls 60% Of All Ethereum
Recent research from Arkham Intelligence reveals that the ETH2 Beacon Deposit Contract now dominates Ethereum’s landscape. Specifically, it holds over 72.4 million ETH, valued at about $252 billion. This amount represents approximately 60% of Ethereum’s total supply.
Moreover, this staking contract plays a crucial role in securing the network. It enhances the robustness of Ethereum’s decentralized framework while providing users with a means to earn rewards through staking.
In terms of individual ownership, Rain Lohmus remains the largest holder. He bought 250,000 ETH in 2014 for roughly $75,000. Shockingly, those coins are now worth around $871 million, but Lohmus cannot access them due to lost keys. Following him is Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin, who controls around 240,000 ETH, valued at approximately $840 million.
Additionally, major centralized exchanges hold significant amounts of Ether. For example, Binance possesses about 4.09 million ETH, and BlackRock manages around 3.94 million ETH through its iShares Ethereum Trust ETF. Coinbase is also a major player, holding roughly 3.5 million ETH in various addresses.
Furthermore, the dataset from Arkham highlights that governments, including the U.S., control around 60,000 ETH, primarily from seized criminal funds. This indicates a growing intersection between regulation and cryptocurrency.
Hacker wallets still account for large ETH holdings as well. One wallet, linked to the Gatecoin exploiter, continues to hold over 156,000 stolen ETH from 2016. The Wrapped Ether contract also plays a role, maintaining over 2.2 million ETH to ensure compatibility with ERC-20 standards.
Beyond individual wallets and exchanges, Layer 2 bridges have staked a significant amount of ETH. Specifically, Arbitrum’s bridge holds about 833,000 ETH, while Base’s bridge contains around 723,000 ETH. These findings emphasize the ongoing evolution of Ethereum as a leading cryptocurrency.
Arkham’s report sheds light on the growing influence of staking contracts and the liquidity landscape of Ethereum. As more entities engage with Ethereum’s ecosystem, they continue to enhance its functionality and value proposition in the blockchain space. This reinforces Ethereum’s capability to address real-world problems such as secure transactions and decentralized finance.
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Disclaimer
This content is for informational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute financial or investment advice. Cryptocurrency is highly speculative and carries significant risk, including the potential loss of your entire investment. Do not make financial decisions based on this information. Consult a licensed financial advisor before investing. This site does not offer, sell, or advise on cryptocurrency, securities or other regulated financial products in compliance with SEC and applicable laws. Please do your own research and seek professional advise.
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