FTX and Alameda-Linked Wallets Transfer $75 Million in Ether to Market Maker Wintermute

On‑chain monitoring firms PeckShield and EmberCN reported that wallets associated with the FTX bankruptcy estate and Alameda Research moved a total of 27,373 ether (approximately $75 million) to a wallet owned by crypto market maker Wintermute.

Details of the transfers

PeckShield flagged a single transaction of 23,639 ETH (about $65 million) from an address labeled as belonging to the FTX estate and Alameda Research to a Wintermute wallet. EmberCN later identified six separate transfers that together amounted to 27,372 ETH, indicating that multiple movements were aggregated in the overall flow.

Possible motivations

Sending large amounts of ether to a market maker or over‑the‑counter platform can suggest an intention to sell or hedge the position without using a public exchange. However, on‑chain data does not show that Wintermute has executed a sale, nor does it confirm that the funds are earmarked for creditor repayments.

Responses and context

Wintermute did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The FTX Recovery Trust has not issued a statement about the transfers. The movement follows ongoing creditor‑distribution activities, including a planned $2.2 billion payout scheduled for March under the Chapter 11 plan.

Implications for the market

A transfer to a market maker does not guarantee that the ether will appear on public exchange order books right away. Wintermute could retain the assets as inventory, hedge exposure, or liquidate them gradually over time.