Ethereum Foundation Begins Staking 70,000 ETH to Fund Core Operations and Secure Network

• Ethereum Foundation begins staking 2,016 ETH, plans 70,000 ETH to boost treasury yield and network security.
• Staking rewards will fund R&D, ecosystem growth, and grants instead of passively holding ETH reserves.
• Move follows scrutiny over ETH sales, signaling a more sustainable, yield-focused treasury strategy.

The Ethereum Foundation (EF) has started staking a portion of its treasury, shifting how it manages its ETH reserves. The move aligns with the treasury policy the organization introduced last year, which balances long-term sustainability with Ethereum’s core values.

The initiative began with an initial deposit of 2,016 ETH. In total, approximately 70,000 ETH will be staked, with all rewards redirected back into the Foundation’s treasury.

Staking Rewards to Fund R&D and Ecosystem Growth

According to the EF, staking rewards will help fund core operations, including protocol research and development, ecosystem expansion, and community grant programs. Rather than holding ETH passively, the Foundation will now generate yield while contributing to network security.

Data from Arkham Intelligence previously showed that the EF oversees roughly $371 million in assets, of which about $314 million is denominated in ETH. The decision to stake part of these holdings comes amid growing community calls for more efficient treasury management.

Open-Source Infrastructure Across Multiple Jurisdictions

For its staking operations, the Foundation is using open-source tools Dirk and Vouch, developed by infrastructure firm Attestant (Bitwise Onchain Solutions).

Dirk functions as a distributed signer, allowing validator operations across multiple jurisdictions and reducing the risk of a single point of failure. Vouch manages validator coordination and supports multiple client pairings to mitigate client diversity risks.

The EF said its setup includes minority clients and a mix of hosted infrastructure and self-managed hardware across several countries, reinforcing decentralization and resilience.

Shift After Criticism Over Treasury Strategy

The move comes after months of criticism about the Foundation’s ETH sales and lack of treasury transparency. Recently, Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin revealed he sold over 10,000 ETH and also contributed 16,384 ETH to support ecosystem projects during what he called a “moderate austerity” period.

After ETH’s sharp price drop in recent months, the Foundation’s decision to stake reflects a shift toward earning yield and building long-term sustainability. By staking 70,000 ETH, the Ethereum Foundation helps secure the network while generating ongoing income to fund future development.

Related: Vitalik Buterin Sells 2,961.5 ETH in 3 Days, Triggers Selloff Speculation