The recent analysis by blockchain research firm Arkham Intelligence, shared on social media, estimates the wealth of Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin at around “$1.05 billion”—highlighting the volatility of this figure in accordance with the current market dynamics of Ether. The valuation reflects assets tracked on the blockchain and publicly available data as of August 2025.
Examining the Wealth of Vitalik Buterin
At the core of Buterin’s wealth is his extensive holding of Ether. Arkham identifies approximately 240,042 ETH in his known wallets, illustrating that an overwhelming majority—over 99%—of his crypto assets are concentrated in this cryptocurrency. As per the report, when the price of ETH hit approximately $4,321, this translated to an impressive $1.04 billion of value solely from Ether.
Delving into Buterin’s financial history, his crypto wealth has seen remarkable growth. In 2015, his net worth was recorded at just $596,760, escalating to $4.23 million by 2016, and reaching an astonishing $278.37 million by the end of 2017—a pinnacle achieved during the bull market of that year.
Notably, Buterin became an on-chain billionaire at the age of 27 during 2021, as Ethereum’s price soared above $3,000. His wealth briefly peaked at an impressive $2.09 billion in November 2021, just before the market downturn took a significant toll, reducing his assets by approximately 75% to $300.58 million by December 2022. Fortunately, a rebound in the market has since seen his net worth recover back to $1.05 billion.
Interestingly, the report also highlights a unique incident in May 2021, when Vitalik received a substantial share of the memecoin SHIB. The value of these coins ballooned to an astounding $20 billion, which he subsequently donated entirely to various charities, showcasing his commitment to giving rather than personal enrichment.
Comparing Buterin to other major ETH stakeholders provides insights into ownership distribution within the ecosystem. The ETH2 deposit contract commands a substantial majority with over 66 million ETH, while major exchanges and custodial services rank next. Buterin stands out as the most significant identifiable individual holder, alongside some inaccessible wallets that belong to other users.
According to his own past statements, Buterin clarified that he has never owned a staggering amount of ETH. His holdings have fluctuated, generally remaining around the 0.9% mark of total supply, and have gradually decreased over time due to sales and charitable donations.
In terms of non-Eth tokens, although their contributions to his wealth are modest, they include 10 billion WHITE tokens valued at approximately $3.72 million and other holdings like 30 billion MOODENG and 869,509 KNC. Despite representing a tiny fraction of his wealth, these assets reflect diverse investment strategies.
Furthermore, Buterin has detailed how he has utilized services like Tornado Cash to facilitate donations, emphasizing a focus on philanthropy rather than profit. His commitment to social causes has earned him considerable respect in the cryptocurrency community.
Off the blockchain, Arkham points out Buterin’s early investment in the zero-knowledge technology firm StarkWare, which achieved an $8 billion valuation in its 2022 funding round. While this presents an illiquid asset, it adds a potentially substantial layer to his overall net worth.
At the time of this analysis, the trading price of Ethereum stood at approximately $4,298—an indicator of the ongoing fluctuations influencing Buterin’s wealth and the broader cryptocurrency landscape.
