Ethereum Foundation staking just crossed a major milestone. On Friday, the non-profit staked over 45,000 ETH in a single day. That brings the total to roughly 69,500 ETH less than 500 coins away from its 70,000 goal.
The foundation started this push less than two months ago, back in late February. Now, it’s almost done.
How Ethereum Foundation Staking Works
The EF staked the coins in a series of transactions. Each batch was 2,047 ETH. Friday’s total alone was valued at over $92.2 million, per Arkham Intelligence.
Previously, the foundation staked 2,016 ETH in February (~$4.1M) and 22,517 ETH in March (~$46.1M). All told, the EF has now locked over $143 million worth of ETH in the Beacon Deposit Contract.
Why stake? The yield generated will fund protocol research, development, and ecosystem grants. This move follows community pressure to generate income from the treasury instead of constantly selling tokens to cover expenses.
Vitalik’s Warning About Hard Forks
There’s a catch. Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin warned back in January 2025 that staking creates a tricky situation. Validators can influence which chain is valid during a contentious hard fork.
“If EF stakes, ourselves, this de facto forces us to take a position on any future contentious hard fork,” he said.
The EF is actively exploring ways to reduce centralization risks. But for now, the yield-bearing strategy is full steam ahead.
My Thoughts
This is a big deal. The EF shifting from selling ETH to staking ETH changes the supply dynamics. Instead of adding sell pressure, they’re now earning yield. That’s bullish in theory. However, Vitalik’s hard fork warning is real. If a major ideological split ever happens (think ETH vs ETH Classic 2.0), the EF would be forced to choose. That could alienate part of the community. Still, for now, this is a mature, sustainable treasury strategy. It signals confidence in Ethereum’s long-term future. Watch the last 500 ETH, completion could spark a nice psychological boost.