Ethereum Foundation Locks In $93M More in ETH, Hits 70,000 Target

On Thursday, the Ethereum Foundation staked around $93 million worth of ether (ETH) across multiple transactions. This move raised its total staked holdings to approximately $143 million, bringing it very close to the 70,000 ETH staking goal it had set back in February, according to Arkham data.

Breakdown of the Deposits

The total amount of 45,034 ETH was divided into equal portions of 2,047 ETH per transaction. Each batch was valued at roughly $4.23 million and transferred from the foundation’s treasury multisig wallet to the Eth2 Beacon Chain deposit contract.

Nearing the Target

Based on an estimated ETH price of $2,059, the $143 million in staked assets corresponds to about 69,500 ETH, just shy of the 70,000 ETH objective.

The foundation has been working toward this milestone step by step since February. It began with an initial deposit of 2,016 ETH, followed by an additional 20,470 ETH added earlier in the week. The latest transactions on Thursday effectively covered the remaining amount in one go.

Portfolio Composition

Arkham data shows the foundation holds around $270.9 million in total assets spread across 14 addresses. Ether makes up the majority, with roughly 102,400 ETH valued at about $210.9 million. The rest includes smaller allocations in USDC, BNB, and a small portion of bitcoin.

Staking involves locking up cryptocurrency to help secure a blockchain network while earning rewards. It is often compared to purchasing bonds, where funds are lent in exchange for steady returns.

Expected Returns

At current rates, the staked ETH could generate between $3.9 million and $5.4 million annually, assuming an APY range of 2.7% to 3.8%, which is typical for institutional participants. Returns may increase further with the use of MEV-boost.

Although these earnings are relatively modest compared to the foundation’s yearly operating costs, historically close to $100 million, they allow the organization to turn idle assets into a productive source of income without selling its ETH.

A Shift in Financial Approach

The foundation is now leveraging staking rewards to support research, grants, and operational expenses, reducing reliance on asset sales. This marks a shift from its earlier strategy, which involved selling ETH, a practice that drew criticism throughout 2024 and early 2025.

What Comes Next?

Reaching the 70,000 ETH target does not necessarily signal the end of staking efforts. The foundation still holds over 100,000 ETH that remains unstaked. It has not yet disclosed whether it plans to expand the staking program or keep the remaining funds as liquid reserves.

At the time of the deposits, ether was trading at approximately $2,059, reflecting a decline of about 4.3% over the past week.