Published: Feb 25, 2026 at 22:05
The EF is deploying approximately 70,000 ETH (roughly $128 million at current prices) into various decentralized staking protocols to generate native yield.
For years, the Ethereum Foundation (EF) was criticized for holding a “lazy” treasury of passive Ether. That era ended as on-chain data confirmed the Foundation has officially begun staking a significant portion of its reserves.
This shift marks a fundamental change in how the Foundation intends to fund the long-term development of the network, moving away from periodic “dumping” of assets toward a self-sustaining, yield-driven model.
A high-profile activity
This strategic pivot coincides with high-profile activity from Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin, who has offloaded over 10,000 ETH in the past three weeks.
However, rather than a “exit,” analysts note these sales are strictly dedicated to his pledge for open-source “DeFi-punk” projects and public goods.
The timing is critical; as Ethereum’s price hovers near $1,820, the Foundation’s move to capture yield suggests they are bracing for a prolonged “macro winter” while ensuring the developer ecosystem remains funded. By transitioning into a “validator-state,” the EF is essentially betting that the future of the network lies in its ability to be both a tech layer and a productive financial asset, even when the broader market sentiment is in a state of “Extreme Fear.”
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