The Ethereum Foundation has shed light on a recent $15 million USD Coin transaction involving Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin, a development that garnered the attention of several blockchain tracking platforms. On Oct. 17, posts from blockchain analytics firm PeckShield and Lookonchain on X both claimed that Buterin’s wallet, known as “vitalik.eth,” transferred $14.93 million to the Gemini crypto exchange on Oct. 16.
However, an Ethereum Foundation spokesperson told us that the transfer was nothing more than Buterin’s Ethereum Name Service (ENS) signing off on a transfer from a charity multisig wallet to fund a grant, adding that the funds never actually left Buterin’s wallet. This explanation comes as a reassurance, quelling speculation about the significant transaction.
This significant transaction is linked to Kanro, a biotech charity funded by Buterin that aims to address COVID-19 and other pandemic-related issues. Buterin’s various crypto transfers have been in the limelight over the last several months, with transfers from Buterin’s wallets totaling more than $3.9 million in September.
On Sept. 24, Vitalik Buterin transferred 400 ETH — worth $600,000 at the time — to Coinbase, sparking interest and discussion within the crypto community called as USD Coin transaction. Furthermore, we also reported a 600 ETH ($1 million) transaction from the vitalik.eth address on Aug. 21, which was also identified by on-chain monitoring platforms. These high-value transactions have continued to raise questions and interest among cryptocurrency enthusiasts.
As the crypto world continues to evolve, tracking high-profile transactions like these serves as a reminder of the transparency and accountability that blockchain technology offers. Vitalik Buterin’s involvement in charitable contributions through cryptocurrency has become a notable topic within the industry, and his commitment to causes like Kanro showcases the positive potential of crypto assets in addressing real-world challenges.
