Ethereum is once again back in the spotlight as institutional interest in the second-largest cryptocurrency continues to rise. Industry heavyweights like World Liberty Financial are actively accumulating Ether tokens amid the ETH price decline. In a strategic move, the Trump-backed WLFI has dumped its WBTC holdings to purchase more Ethereum.
WLFI Shifts $8M From WBTC to Ethereum
According to the latest findings of Onchain Lens, World Liberty Financial, a blockchain project backed by the Trump family, rebalanced its crypto holdings. The address linked to WLFI has sold over $8 million in Wrapped Bitcoin (WBTC) in exchange for Ethereum.
Onchain Lens’ X post stated that WLFI has dumped about 93.77 WBTC and bought 2,868.4 ETH at an average price of $2,813. This marks one of the largest institutional crypto reallocations in recent months. For instance, asset manager BlackRock has sold Ethereum worth $151 million and invested $290 million in Bitcoin.
Wrapped Bitcoin serves as an Ethereum-based cryptocurrency with a digital representation of BTC. This enables BTC holders to utilize their cryptocurrency within the decentralized financial ecosystem of Ethereum. The value of every WBTC token is secured through 1:1 backing with BTC. With its latest move, WLFI has transitioned its investment focus from Bitcoin to Ethereum.
Ethereum currently experiences strong downward pressure because its value has fallen below the important $3k support level. The current ETH price stands at $2,864 after experiencing a daily decline of 2.58%.
The token has also plummeted by 10.4% and 2.21% over the past week and month, respectively.
At the same time, Bitcoin is valued at $87,662, with notable declines of 1.62% and 5.28% in a day and week, respectively, despite a marginal 0.27% monthly surge. Thus, the shift suggests that WLFI may be making a relative value bet on Ethereum.
Unveiling Surging ETH Whale Accumulation
With ETH under pressure, institutions may see the recent pullback as a buy-the-dip opportunity to accumulate more tokens. This is evident from the latest surge in institutional accumulation of Ethereum.
According to CryptoQuant data, whales have been steadily acquiring Ether, signaling confidence in its long-term potential. Reports state that they have been taking advantage of the ETH price dip, especially when Ethereum traded between the $2.6K–$3K range.
As noted by Onchain Lens in a separate X post, whales and institutions are actively purchasing Ether. The latest development included the ETH purchase of a newly created wallet “0xcA0.” The wallet bought 61,000 ETH, worth $171.15 million from Binance. Another whale identified as “OxFB7” purchased 20,000 tokens, valued at $56.13 million, from WinterMute. This whale now holds around 100k ETH, valued at $287.79 million.
Whales/Institutions are accumulating $ETH
– A newly created wallet “0xcA0” bought 61,000 $ETH worth $171.15M from #Binance.
– The whale “0xFB7” further bought 20,000 $ETH worth $56.13M from #WinterMute and now holds 100,130 $ETH worth $283.79M.
Addresses:
— Onchain Lens (@OnchainLens) January 26, 2026
Tom Lee’s BitMine, the largest public holder of Ether, is making large purchases during the crypto market decline. As CoinGape reported, BiMine boosted its ETH holdings, acquiring 35,268 tokens.
The current market decline does not stop these institutions and whales from buying Ether because they are taking a long-term investment strategy. The rising Ethereum accumulation will drive the ETH price to achieve new record levels. ETH is recovering its market momentum because more buyers are showing interest in the token.