Ethereum Ownership Map Reveals Dominant Staking System

The Ethereum network has undergone significant changes in its ownership structure over the past year. One notable development is the sale of a substantial amount of Ether (ETH) by Vitalik Buterin, co-founder of the platform. According to reports, Buterin has sold around 17,196 ETH, worth approximately $34.96 million, as part of a transparent plan announced in January to support open-source software and wider Ethereum ecosystem development.

The sales have been carried out in smaller batches through various channels, including CoW Protocol, which helped reduce direct market disruption while keeping transactions visible on-chain. This approach has garnered attention for its transparency and commitment to supporting the Ethereum ecosystem.

However, the recent sales by Buterin have also raised questions about the distribution of ETH ownership among individuals and institutions. The answer depends on whether one considers smart contracts, exchanges, governments, or individual holders. According to CoinCarp's figures, the ETH2 Beacon Deposit Contract is currently the largest holder of Ethereum, with over 62 million ETH worth around $139 billion. This represents validator deposits used to secure the network.