Ethereum jumps 6% to $1,828 as whales buy $42M after Iran deal

Ethereum rose nearly 6% to $1,828 on June 15 after a US-Iran peace deal triggered whale accumulation totaling more than $42 million, on-chain data shows.

A wallet linked to Hayes received 3,000 Ether worth $5.42 million from market maker Flowdesk on June 15, Lookonchain data shows. A second address, geministar.eth, pulled 21,136 ETH worth approximately $37.05 million from Binance through a series of transactions the same day.

The buying followed President Donald Trump's announcement of a 14-point memorandum of understanding with Iran that reopened the Strait of Hormuz and lifted the US naval blockade on Iranian ports. Brent crude fell to around $79 per barrel on the prospect of Iranian oil returning to global markets, removing a key inflation risk that had weighed on high-beta assets.

The next level to watch is the 0.618 Fibonacci retracement near $1,858, a zone that must hold on any retest to confirm the bearish flag from the decline off $2,400 has been invalidated. The daily MACD has produced a bullish crossover and the Chaikin Money Flow indicator is rising, consistent with fading sell pressure.

Hayes Reloads After Portfolio Reset

Hayes' move follows a deliberate portfolio reset. In his June 8 essay Reality Test, the Maelstrom CIO disclosed selling positions in Hyperliquid, Near Protocol, Worldcoin and Zcash, framing those exits as defensive responses to macro uncertainty. Bitcoin and Ethereum remained explicit core holdings throughout that rotation, making the Flowdesk-sourced ETH purchase a reloading of a position he never fully abandoned.

The combined $42 million accumulation reflects institutional-grade conviction rather than retail momentum, Lookonchain data shows. The scale of buying within a single session — two addresses moving more than 24,000 ETH in hours — suggests coordinated conviction around the macro catalyst.

What the Iran Deal Means for Risk Assets

The Iran agreement, set for formal signing June 19 in Switzerland, contemplates full sanctions relief and a $300 billion reconstruction fund backed by Gulf states in exchange for Iran's commitment to dismantle its nuclear weapons capabilities. The 60-day negotiation window for nuclear terms means the geopolitical risk premium could return if talks collapse, a scenario that would reverse the crude oil decline and re-pressure risk assets.

Lower energy prices directly reduce inflation pressure, which improves the macro calculus for assets like Ether that benefit from risk-on positioning. Ethereum's 6% gain on June 15 outperformed most major cryptocurrencies during the session, CoinGecko data shows.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice.