Ethereum’s Onchain Boom: Vitalik Buterin Rejoins Billionaire Ranks Amid Record Activity and ETF Surge
Ethereum’s network pulses with renewed energy as July’s onchain activity hits a four-year high, Vitalik Buterin’s holdings exceed $1 billion, and spot ETFs attract record inflows — signaling growing confidence in the network’s utility and long-term value.
Ethereum is experiencing one of its most dynamic phases in years. In July 2025, the network processed a staggering $238 billion in transaction volume, marking a 70% surge from the previous month and the highest monthly total since December 2021. Behind this explosion in activity lies a powerful combination of rising institutional adoption, thriving layer-2 ecosystems, and renewed investor confidence — all converging to push Ethereum’s influence to new heights.
The blockchain handled 46.67 million transactions in July alone, a new all-time high for monthly activity. Daily transaction counts repeatedly topped 1.8 million, with peak days on August 5 and 6 recording 1,878,031 and 1,833,756 transactions respectively. The seven-day moving average of daily transactions climbed above 1.74 million, a threshold not consistently seen since Ethereum’s 2021 bull run.
Layer-2 Momentum Fuels Scalability and Affordability
A key driver behind the surge is the rapid adoption of layer-2 scaling solutions. Platforms like Arbitrum and Optimism have significantly enhanced Ethereum’s throughput, enabling faster and cheaper transactions for both retail users and institutional players. As a result, onchain fees have remained remarkably low — mostly between $0 and $4 per transaction — with only brief spikes to $6–$8 during peak congestion on August 5.
This improved user experience has removed one of the biggest historical barriers to mass adoption. With block utilization at just 49.53%, the network still has ample headroom for growth without triggering a fee crisis. Analysts see this as a sign of a maturing ecosystem: high usage without network strain.
Stablecoin activity on Ethereum has also reached new levels, with weekly stablecoin transaction volume surpassing $50 billion. This dominance underscores Ethereum’s central role in decentralized finance (DeFi), cross-chain bridges, and global payments infrastructure.
Meanwhile, ETH balances on centralized exchanges dropped to 15.35 million in July — the lowest level since 2016. This exodus signals that investors are moving their assets into private wallets or staking contracts, a strong indicator of long-term holding sentiment and reduced selling pressure.
Vitalik Buterin Reclaims Billionaire Status
As Ethereum’s price climbed past $4,300, co-founder Vitalik Buterin officially rejoined the ranks of onchain billionaires. According to blockchain intelligence platform Arkham, his portfolio is now valued at approximately $1.04 billion.
The holdings include 240,042 ETH, along with strategic positions in key ecosystem tokens such as Aave (AETH), WhiteRock, Moo Deng, and Wrapped Ethereum (WETH). While Buterin has never been known for flaunting wealth, his renewed billionaire status serves as a symbolic milestone — reflecting both the network’s recovery and its expanding economic gravity.
Ether’s price rose 6.38% in a single day to peak at $4,332, reclaiming the critical $4,000 level with momentum. At the time of reporting, ETH was trading at $4,244, maintaining strong footing amid broader market optimism.
Spot ETH ETFs Outpace Bitcoin in Investor Demand
Perhaps the most telling sign of shifting sentiment is the performance of spot Ethereum ETFs. In a notable reversal of historical trends, U.S.-based ETH ETFs recorded $326.6 million in net inflows over the past week, significantly outpacing Bitcoin ETFs, which added $253.2 million during the same period.
On a single day — Friday — Arkham Intelligence reported $461 million in ETH ETF inflows, compared to $404 million for BTC. This growing preference for Ethereum products suggests that institutional investors are increasingly recognizing Ethereum not just as a store of value, but as a foundational platform for real-world financial innovation.
The momentum was further fueled by regulatory clarity earlier in the year, when U.S. authorities confirmed that certain staking receipt tokens do not qualify as securities. This decision removed a major compliance hurdle, prompting more traditional financial players to enter the staking and ETF space.
Staking Crosses 30% Threshold
With regulatory fears easing, staking activity has surged. Over 30% of Ethereum’s total supply is now locked in the proof-of-stake network — a critical threshold for decentralization and security. This level of participation enhances network resilience and aligns validator incentives with long-term ecosystem health.
The combination of low fees, high throughput, strong staking adoption, and booming onchain volume paints a picture of a blockchain that is not only surviving but thriving in the post-scaling era.
