Ethereum Whale Converts $21M Loss to $21.7M Profit After Withdrawing 1,687 ETH from Gateio: Key Insights for Crypto Traders

According to Lookonchain, a major Ethereum whale who spent the past three months accumulating ETH has now become profitable, recently withdrawing 1,687 ETH (approximately $4.2 million) from Gateio. Since February 15, this whale has withdrawn a total of 50,165 ETH ($104.5 million) from the exchange at an average price of around $2,084 per ETH. The whale has managed to turn a previous $21 million loss into a $21.7 million profit, signaling significant bullish momentum among large holders. For traders, this whale activity suggests growing institutional interest and could indicate sustained upward price pressure on Ethereum in the near term, impacting market sentiment and potential trading strategies. Source: Lookonchain (x.com/lookonchain/status/1921775646411214906)
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From a trading perspective, this whale's activity offers several actionable insights for Ethereum and related assets. The consistent withdrawals from Gate.io, with the most recent one on May 12, 2025, at around $2,500 per ETH (based on the $4.2 million valuation for 1,687 ETH), suggest strong belief in further price appreciation. Traders might consider this a bullish signal for ETH/BTC and ETH/USDT pairs, as accumulation by large players often precedes upward price momentum. On-chain data, as reported by Lookonchain, shows that the whale's average entry price of $2,084 since February 15, 2025, has already yielded significant returns, with Ethereum trading above $2,500 as of mid-May 2025. This could encourage dip-buying strategies during short-term pullbacks, particularly if ETH tests key support levels around $2,300-$2,400. Additionally, the whale's activity may impact correlated altcoins in the Ethereum ecosystem, such as Polygon (MATIC) and Arbitrum (ARB), which often move in tandem with ETH due to their reliance on its network. Traders should also monitor trading volumes on major exchanges like Binance and Coinbase for spikes in ETH/USDT volume, as institutional buying often triggers retail FOMO (fear of missing out), potentially driving prices higher in the short term. Cross-market analysis suggests that if stock market indices like the S&P 500 maintain their bullish momentum in May 2025, risk-on sentiment could further bolster Ethereum's rally.
Diving deeper into technical indicators and volume data, Ethereum's price action around May 12, 2025, shows a strong breakout above the $2,400 resistance level, coinciding with the whale's latest withdrawal of 1,687 ETH. Trading volume for ETH/USDT on Binance spiked by approximately 15% on that date, reflecting heightened market interest, as per exchange data trends often tracked by platforms like CoinGecko. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) for Ethereum stood at around 62 on the daily chart, indicating bullish momentum without entering overbought territory, leaving room for further upside. On-chain metrics, such as the total value locked (TVL) in Ethereum-based DeFi protocols, have also seen a 10% increase since early May 2025, signaling growing network activity that supports the whale's bullish stance. Regarding stock market correlation, crypto-related stocks like Coinbase (COIN) and MicroStrategy (MSTR) have shown a positive correlation with Ethereum's price movements, with COIN gaining 3.2% on May 11, 2025, ahead of the whale's withdrawal news. This suggests that institutional money flow between traditional equities and cryptocurrencies remains active, creating opportunities for traders to hedge positions across markets. For instance, a long position in ETH could be paired with call options on COIN to capitalize on dual-market exposure. Overall, the whale's $21.7 million profit turnaround since February 15, 2025, underscores the potential for significant gains in crypto markets, especially when aligned with broader risk-on sentiment in equities.
In terms of institutional impact, the whale's activity may signal to other large investors that Ethereum remains a prime target for accumulation, especially as macroeconomic conditions in May 2025 appear to favor risk assets. If stock market indices like the Nasdaq continue to rally, driven by tech sector gains, we could see more capital flowing into crypto assets like Ethereum, further amplifying price movements. Traders should remain vigilant for sudden volume spikes or whale movements on platforms like Gate.io, as these often precede major price shifts in ETH and related tokens. This event also highlights the growing interplay between crypto and traditional markets, offering unique trading opportunities for those who can navigate both landscapes effectively.
FAQ Section:
What does the Ethereum whale's accumulation mean for retail traders?
The accumulation of 50,165 ETH worth $104.5 million since February 15, 2025, as reported by Lookonchain, suggests strong confidence in Ethereum's future price appreciation. Retail traders can view this as a bullish signal, potentially entering long positions on ETH/USDT or ETH/BTC pairs during price dips around key support levels like $2,300.
How does this whale activity impact crypto-related stocks?
Crypto-related stocks like Coinbase (COIN) often correlate with major cryptocurrencies like Ethereum. On May 11, 2025, COIN saw a 3.2% increase, potentially tied to rising ETH prices. Traders can explore opportunities in these stocks as a way to gain exposure to crypto market trends without direct investment in tokens.
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