WiretechnologyBrief
Ethereum Wallet Moves $4.6 Million After 11 Years And Avoids Crypto Scam
An early Ethereum wallet has returned to activity after more than a decade, transferring approximately $4.6 million worth of ETH while successfully avoiding an attempted cryptocurrency scam. The unusual transaction has attracted attention among blockchain analysts because the wallet dates back to Ethereum’s launch in 2015.
Brief
An early Ethereum wallet became active in November 2026 after more than 11 years without outgoing transfers, moving about 2,155 ETH worth roughly $4.6 million. The wallet first received Ether in the genesis block in July 2015. Its first outgoing move was a 0.05 ETH test transfer sent on November 9. Within minutes, two lookalike addresses sent many tiny transfers in an apparent address poisoning attempt, which Etherscan linked to phishing activity. The owner then sent a 0.01 ETH transfer, nearly all of which came back. At about 22:42 UTC, the main balance of 2,154.94 ETH went to the intended destination without being redirected. The owner's identity and reasons remain unknown, and there is no confirmed evidence of a sale.
Why it matters: It shows how automated scammers can react within minutes to large wallet activity, and why test transfers alone do not confirm that a destination address is safe.
Read the full story
Dextape context
Built from Dextape’s own wire, stories and glossary.
Dextape story on this event
Early Ether wallet wakes after 11 years, shifting roughly $4.6 million in ETH
Terms in this story
- Blockchain
- A shared, ordered record of transactions, grouped into blocks, that independent computers check against the same protocol rules.
Mentioned in this story
Open a coin page for its current price.