Ethereum Latest Updates: Buterin's Railgun Transaction Ignites Privacy and Pre-Sale Discussion as ETH Reaches $3,000
On November 26, 2025, Ethereum (ETH) broke above $3,000 after Vitalik Buterin moved $2.9 million worth of
Railgun is a zero-knowledge protocol that conceals transaction information, drawing interest from users who prioritize privacy for their asset transfers. While Buterin’s deposit does not necessarily indicate an imminent sale, the protocol’s reputation for being used ahead of sales has heightened market alertness. Blockchain data shows Buterin controls 240,002 ETH in his main wallet—worth about $727 million—along with smaller holdings in AETHWETH and WHITE tokens
This transfer took place as Buterin renewed his calls for privacy in blockchain networks. Earlier in November, he stated that “privacy is hygiene,” not just a feature, in response to a data leak involving major banks such as JPMorgan and Citi
The community remains split over the significance of this transfer. Some experts interpret it as a strategic move to counter regulatory risks or to test privacy features. Others point to Buterin’s history of making large donations—such as his 2021
Interest in privacy within the Ethereum ecosystem is growing, fueled by both technological progress and regulatory developments. Recent moves like Grayscale’s Zcash trust application and Binance’s Ontology network upgrade point to a rising appetite for privacy-focused assets. Nevertheless, Buterin’s warnings about institutional involvement highlight the ongoing debate between scalability and decentralization as Ethereum adapts to a changing financial environment
