The Ethereum Foundation (EF), the non-profit organization at the heart of the world’s most-used blockchain, has staked nearly $100 million in ETH during the last 24 hours.
The move signals a departure from the organization’s long-standing and often controversial practice of selling its native tokens to fund operations.
Ethereum Foundation Could Earn Up to $4 Million in Annual Yield
On-chain data confirms that on April 3, the Foundation deposited approximately 45,034 ETH—valued at roughly $93 million—into the Ethereum Beacon Deposit Contract.
The move, tracked via Arkham Intelligence, saw funds moved from the EF’s Treasury Multisig wallet in systematic batches of 2,047 ETH.
This follows a smaller deposit of 22,500 ETH earlier in the week. It brings the Foundation’s total staked balance to 69,500 ETH, or approximately $143 million.
For much of the last decade, the Foundation’s treasury management has been a flashpoint for market speculation. The organization historically relied on periodic ETH liquidations to cover its annual budget, research grants, and ecosystem development.
These ETH sales frequently occurred near market highs, leading some traders to view Foundation “dumps” as a reliable signal of a local price ceiling. Consequently, the practice fueled accusations that the protocol’s leaders lacked long-term conviction.
This pivot toward staking transforms the Foundation into a primary participant in its own economic system. By acting as a validator rather than a liquidator, the organization is converting its $430 million Ether treasury into a productive, yield-bearing endowment.
At current institutional staking yields of roughly 2.7%, the Foundation’s current staked holdings are projected to generate approximately $4 million in recurring annual revenue.
However, this move forces the Foundation to navigate the same operational risks and “slashing” frictions faced by ordinary network participants.
Meanwhile, the Foundation’s new strategy mirrors a broader trend among institutional holders.
Firms such as BitMine have staked millions of tokens over the last year, contributing to a global total of 38.5 million Ether—roughly 30% of the circulating supply—now committed to securing the network.
