Bought ETH 8 Years Ago, Here's How Its Price Compares Now

The price of Ethereum has shown major changes over the past eight years. An early investor said to have bought ETH at around $18.80 per token has now realized a profit of around $8.8 million after selling part of their holdings.

The comparison of ETH price 8 years ago with ETH price now shows the enormous impact of long-term investment. However, this story also needs to be read alongside the risks of volatility, purchase timing, and investor decisions in managing their assets.

Key Takeaways

• The investor bought 3,000 ETH at an average price of $18.80 about eight years ago.
• They have sold 2,000 ETH for a total value of around $6.19 million.
• Total realized profit and the value of remaining holdings are estimated to reach $8.8 million.

ETH Price 8 Years Ago and Now

According to Lookonchain monitoring reported by TechFlow, the early Ethereum investor bought 3,000 ETH at an average price of $18.80 per ETH. The initial capital is estimated at around $56,500.

That price is not the same as ETH's closing price on September 29, 2018. Historical Yahoo Finance data records ETH closing at around $231.63 on that date.

Therefore, the statement “bought ETH eight years ago at $18.80” likely refers to the investor's accumulation price or initial purchase price in an earlier period, not the market price of ETH exactly on September 29, 2018.

On September 29, 2026, several data providers recorded ETH price in the range of $2,660–$2,710. Investing.com showed a price of around $2,689.11, while other sources recorded figures of $2,672.49–$2,701.36 at different times.

The difference occurs because crypto prices change at every moment and each platform uses different liquidity sources and update times.

Read Also: How to Buy ETH on Bittime

Value comparison

This calculation uses figures reported by TechFlow, Odaily, and sources citing Lookonchain data.

If only comparing the purchase price of $18.80 with the ETH price of around $2,680, the value increased by around 142 times. That calculation does not include transaction fees, taxes, the purchase timing of each token, and price changes during the accumulation and selling process.

If using the average selling price of $3,096, the multiplier reaches around 165 times the purchase price. Meanwhile, the Lookonchain report states the investor's total return was around 156 times. This difference may arise because of rounding and the profit calculation method used.

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Investor Sells Another 1,000 ETH

On September 29, 2026, the investor sold another 1,000 ETH worth around $2.68 million. After that transaction, the total ETH sold reached 2,000 tokens at an average price of around $3,096 per ETH.

The total sale value of 2,000 ETH is estimated at $6.19 million. The investor still holds 1,000 ETH worth around $2.67 million based on the price at the time the report was made.

This activity shows that early Ethereum holders may choose to realize profits gradually. Selling part of the assets also leaves the investor with exposure to future ETH price increases.

Read Also: Legal Crypto Apps in Indonesia 2026: How to Check OJK-Licensed Platforms

No owner identity

The available reports do not mention the wallet owner's name. Sources only describe them as an early Ethereum investor or ETH OG whose activity was monitored through blockchain data.

Because blockchain transactions are public, anyone can see the movement of certain addresses through block explorers. However, a wallet address does not automatically reveal the owner's personal identity.

Not proof that all investors are selling

One large transaction cannot be used to conclude that all early Ethereum investors are releasing their holdings. The activity only describes the decision of one address or one monitored group of addresses.

Large ETH sales also do not always mean the owner has a bearish view. Investors may sell to take profit, pay obligations, diversify, or move funds into other assets.

Read Also: Popular Tokenized Stocks 2026: Technology Stocks Become Investor Favorites

Lessons from ETH Profit

This investor's story is often used to illustrate the potential of long-term investment in crypto assets. However, several important contexts need to be considered.

Purchase price determines the outcome

The investor bought ETH at a very low average price compared with the current market price. The difference in purchase price is the main factor driving the size of the profit.

Investors who buy at different prices will get different results. Past performance does not guarantee profits in future periods.

Selling time also matters

The investor did not sell all 3,000 ETH in one transaction. They sold 2,000 ETH gradually and still hold 1,000 ETH.

This strategy made the realized profit value and the value of the remaining holdings change with ETH's price at each transaction. The average selling price can also differ from the market price on any given day.

Volatility remains high

Ethereum has experienced sharp rises and falls throughout its history. Data from CoinDesk notes that ETH experienced a major correction in 2018 after a strong rise in 2017 and early 2018.

Therefore, investors who want to buy ETH need to understand the possibility of price declines, liquidity risk, exchange risk, and changing market conditions. Investment decisions should not be based solely on the profit story from one wallet.

Read Also: 10+ Best AI Coins 2026: Here Is the List of Artificial Intelligence-Themed Cryptos! 

How to Calculate Profit from ETH

The basic profit calculation can use the following formula:

\text{Profit} = (\text{Selling price} - \text{Buying price}) \times \text{Amount of ETH}

If someone buys 1 ETH at $18.80 and sells it at $2,680, the gross profit per ETH is:

2,680 - 18.80 = 2,661.20\text{ dollars}

For 3,000 ETH, the initial purchase value based on that average price is around $56,400. This figure is close to the estimated $56,500 reported because of rounding.

The actual calculation may differ after including:

• Trading fees.
• Network fees.
• Taxes.
• Price differences between platforms.
• Gradual purchase timing.
• Different selling prices for each transaction.
• USD to IDR exchange rate.

So, the profit figure of around $8.8 million should be understood as an estimate based on on-chain data and market prices at the time the report was made, not a detailed financial report belonging to the wallet holder.

Read Also: 10 Largest RWA Crypto Asset Tokenizations in the World

Conclusion

The early Ethereum investor bought 3,000 ETH at an average price of $18.80 per token, then sold 2,000 ETH for around $6.19 million. They still hold 1,000 ETH and the total reported profit reaches around $8.8 million.

This story shows how ETH's price changed from tens of dollars to thousands of dollars within several years. However, that result came from a combination of purchase price, holding time, selling decisions, and risk tolerance that are not the same for every investor.

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FAQ

How much was ETH 8 years ago?

The investor in the report bought ETH at an average price of $18.80 per token. That price was the investor's accumulation price and is not the same as ETH's closing price on September 29, 2018, which was recorded at around $231.63.

What is the ETH price now?

On September 29, 2026, the ETH price was in the range of around $2,660–$2,710 according to several data providers. The price can differ because the market moves in real time and each platform uses different update times.

What was the investor's initial capital?

The investor bought 3,000 ETH at an average price of $18.80, so the initial capital is estimated at around $56,500.

How much profit came from the ETH already sold?

The investor has sold 2,000 ETH at an average price of around $3,096 and earned around $6.19 million. The total reported profit, including the value of ETH still held, reaches around $8.8 million.

How much ETH does the investor still hold?

After selling a total of 2,000 ETH, the investor still holds around 1,000 ETH. Its value is estimated at around $2.67 million based on the price at the time the report was made.

Does this story mean everyone can get the same profit from ETH?

No. Investment results depend on purchase price, selling time, amount of capital, transaction costs, market conditions, and the ability to withstand volatility.