ETH Holds Around $2,050 as Ethereum Foundation Stakes Tokens for $93 Million
Ethereum Foundation Stakes $143M in ETH, Completing 70,000 ETH Target at $2,049 - and Ending Its Era of Selling
Summary:
- The Ethereum Foundation has completed its 70,000 ETH staking target.
- Staking yield will generate an estimated $3.9M – $5.4M per year instead.
- Over 100,000 ETH remains in the treasury.
The Ethereum Foundation almost completed its long-anticipated staking program on Thursday, depositing roughly $93 million in the beacon chain in a series of coordinated batches and bringing its total staked position to approximately $143 million – nearly exactly the 70,000 ETH target it publicly committed to in February 2026. According to on-chain data from Arkham the total staked position now sits at approximately 69,500 ETH – slightly under the full 70,000 ETH commitment, a difference attributable to rounding across batch sizes throughout the program.
From Divesting to Compounding: A Strategic Shift
For years, the Ethereum Foundation has funded its annual operating budget – estimated at around $100 million per year — by periodically selling portions of its ether treasury. That practice drew sustained criticism from segments of the Ethereum community, who argued it created predictable downward pressure on ETH and signalled a misalignment between the Foundation’s financial operations and the long-term health of the network.
By committing 70,000 ETH to validators on the Beacon Chain, the Foundation is expected to generate between $3.9 million and $5.4 million in annualised staking rewards, based on current staking yield rates. While that figure falls well short of covering its full $100 million annual budget, it meaningfully reduces the Foundation’s dependence on asset liquidations.
The program also positions the Foundation as a direct participant in Ethereum’s proof-of-stake consensus, something the organisation had conspicuously avoided despite overseeing the network’s transition to proof-of-stake in September 2022.
Ethereum Foundation built toward the 70,000 ETH target incrementally over roughly six weeks. The program began in early February 2026 with an initial deposit of 2,016 ETH, establishing the first validator commitment and confirming the initiative had moved from announcement to execution. A second tranche of approximately 20,470 ETH followed on Monday, March 30, advancing the program toward its target. Thursday’s batch of 45,034 ETH covered the remaining balance in a single session, completing the commitment.
What the Foundation’s treasury looks like now
Ethereum Foundation holds approximately $270.9 million in total assets across 14 addresses. ETH is the dominant position, with roughly 102,400 ETH in liquid holdings worth approximately $210.9 million at current prices. The newly staked 69,500 ETH represents a separate, validator-committed position not included in that liquid figure. Smaller positions include USDC, BNB, and a fractional Bitcoin holding.
READ MORE: Crypto Market Finds Temporary Floor as ETF Outflows Ease
The scale of remaining unstaked tokens is significant. With more than 100,000 ETH sitting outside the staking program, the Foundation controls a substantial liquid reserve that dwarfs the committed position. The organisation has made no public statement on whether it intends to extend staking beyond the initial 70,000 ETH, maintain the remainder as a liquid operating reserve, or continue drawing down holdings to cover expenses that staking yield alone cannot cover.
Market context
At the time of writing Ethereum was trading at approximately $2,049 at the time of publication, down 0.22% on the day, with the price ranging between a session low of $2,049.12 and a high of $2,057.69 on the 1-hour Coinbase chart.
The 14-period Relative Strength Index sat at 42.83 -neutral territory, below the midpoint but well above the oversold threshold at 30. MACD readings remained slightly negative, with the MACD line at −3.92 and the signal line at −4.13, indicating mild bearish momentum that has not materially widened. Thursday’s on-chain activity does not appear to have triggered a directional price reaction.
Separately, data from the Ethereum Beacon Chain shows total staked ETH reached approximately 37 million over the past year, rising steadily from around 32 million in April 2025. The Foundation’s 70,000 ETH represents a small fraction of that total but carries outsized symbolic weight given the organisation’s role in developing and stewarding the network.
What remains open
Completing the staking program resolves a longstanding question about whether the Foundation would follow through on its February commitment – but it raises a new one. With the initial target met and over $210 million in liquid ETH still on the balance sheet, observers will now watch whether the Foundation expands its validator footprint, articulates a clearer treasury management strategy, or maintains the current posture of partial staking alongside liquid reserves.
The information presented in this article is intended for informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as financial, investment, or trading advice. Coinspress.com does not promote or advocate for any particular investment strategy, asset, or cryptocurrency project. Cryptocurrency markets are highly volatile and unpredictable – always perform your own research and seek guidance from a qualified financial professional before making any investment decisions.
Alexander Zdravkov
Reporter at CoinsPress
Alexander Zdravkov is a market analyst and crypto journalist with interests in economics, broader financial markets and digital assets. His journey into crypto began more than four years ago, driven by a fascination with the rapid evolution of blockchain technology and the transformative potential of decentralized finance. He began analyzing market cycles and identifying emerging trends before they reach the mainstream. He holds a degree in International Relations - a background that helped shape his broader perspective on global economics, geopolitics, and the interconnected nature of modern financial markets. Whether covering the latest developments in the crypto sector or exploring broader macroeconomic themes, Alexander focuses on giving readers context rather than simply repeating headlines. During his career, he has authored more than 10,000 articles covering cryptocurrencies, traditional finance, and global market developments. His work spans everything from Bitcoin and altcoins to macroeconomic trends influencing risk assets worldwide.
