Vitalik Buterin, co-founder of Ethereum and wallet address known as “vitalik.eth,” has once again offloaded a batch of unsolicited meme tokens, converting them into 14,216 USDC (approximately $14,216).
According to on-chain analytics from Lookonchain and other platforms, the latest transaction involved roughly 275 trillion of a token labelled CAT, sent to Buterin’s wallet shortly before being sold via the multi-chain liquidity aggregator LiFi Diamond.
This is not an isolated incident. Buterin has a history of disposing of unsolicited token airdrops, typically speculative meme coins, as part of his approach to avoid being unwittingly tied to high-risk or self-promotional projects.
Market watchers observed that immediately after the transaction, CAT’s price dipped by around 0.8% within 24 hours, underscoring how actions by high-profile figures can ripple across smaller token markets.
While the amount, $14,216, is modest in crypto-whale terms, the symbolic significance is high. Buterin’s continued pattern of clearing out meme coins signals caution toward speculative tokens and reinforces his public stance that value lies in utility rather than hype.
Analysts suggest that such moves serve as indirect commentary on the broader token-airdrop meme economy. By converting free tokens to stablecoins like USDC, Buterin underscores that receipt of a token, even one tied to him, does not equal endorsement or long-term holding.
As the crypto market remains volatile, including with Bitcoin and Ethereum trading under pressure, these wallet moves attract attention not just for the amounts but for the behavioural signals they send to traders and token issuers alike.
In sum, though the dollar value is minimal relative to Buterin’s overall holdings, the latest transaction adds to a pattern that may offer insights into market sentiment , particularly around high-risk token projects and the value of cautious portfolio stewardship in Web3.