Ethereum Genesis-Era Wallet Moves $4.6 Million in ETH After Decade Dormant, Scam Lookalikes Appear
An Ethereum address funded in the network's first block moved roughly 2,155 ETH, about $4.6 million, after more than ten years of inactivity. Sources report that scam-linked lookalike addresses appeared within minutes, but the main balance reached its intended destination.
Written by CoinArticle’s AI Newsroom · from 2 cited sources. How we work
The Transfer
An Ethereum wallet that had recorded no outgoing transactions for more than a decade sent its balance of roughly 2,155 ETH on November 9, 2026. Crypto Briefing put the value at approximately $4.57 million to $4.59 million, while CoinDesk cited a total of $4.6 million. The owner first sent a small test transfer, then moved the full balance to a new address about 38 minutes later, according to on-chain tracker Lookonchain.
Wallet History
The address, 0x7dDd57165c87A2707f025DCFC2508c09834759Bc, received 1,400 ETH in the genesis block in July 2015, the first block ever produced on the Ethereum chain. Its second recorded deposit came on March 29, 2016, when it received 755 ETH withdrawn from Bitfinex, at a time when ETH traded near $11.74. Crypto Briefing noted the original allocation was valued at about $0.31 per ETH during the ICO period.
Scam Activity and Where the Funds Went
CoinDesk reported that automated systems flagged the wallet the moment it became active and planted lookalike addresses in its transaction history, a common tactic in address-poisoning scams that rely on users copying a similar-looking address from history. Crypto Briefing likewise reported that scam-linked activity appeared on or near the address within minutes of the first transfer. Both outlets agree the owner sent the funds to the intended destination.
The two sources differ on what the coins did next. Crypto Briefing reported that initial information did not confirm a deposit to an exchange and that the funds went to a fresh address, which points toward custody housekeeping rather than an immediate sale. CoinDesk's account does not specify a destination beyond the intended wallet. The owner's intentions have not been stated publicly.
Context
Crypto Briefing noted that dormant wallets from the early chain have been reactivating in 2026 as owners recover old keys. At roughly 2,155 ETH, the transfer is meaningful to the holder but small relative to daily trading volume in ether. The more durable takeaway is the speed at which monitoring actors respond to visible on-chain movement, even when a test transaction is used first. Observers will track whether the funds later move to an exchange, which would revive questions about selling pressure, or remain in the new address.
Why It Matters
For Traders
Any later deposit of the roughly 2,155 ETH to an exchange would be a visible supply event worth monitoring, though the amount is small against daily ether volume.
For Investors
Dormant genesis-era wallets reactivating is a recurring feature of early-chain supply, and understanding it helps separate custody moves from genuine sell-side signals.
For Builders
Address-poisoning attacks succeeded against users copying lookalike addresses from history, so wallet UIs should warn on near-matching recipients.
This article is for information only and is not financial advice. Read the full disclaimer.
