The Ethereum Foundation (EF) has revealed plans to sell 10,000 ETH, valued at roughly $43 million, over the next few weeks. The funds will support ongoing initiatives including research, development, grants, and community-focused donations.
Gradual Sales to Prevent Market Impact
To avoid disrupting the market, EF will split the sale into smaller trades through centralized exchanges instead of placing a single large order. This strategy reflects the foundation’s treasury policy, introduced in June 2025, which:
- Caps annual operational spending at 15%
- Maintains a multi-year fiat reserve buffer
- Requires quarterly reviews to decide ETH conversion needs
Earlier this year, EF carried out several sales, including:
- A $25 million ETH deal with SharpLink Gaming in July
- Two transactions totaling 2,795 ETH, worth around $12.7 million
Grants and Ecosystem Investments
In addition to sales, EF has invested heavily back into the Ethereum ecosystem. During Q1 2025 alone, the foundation distributed over $32 million in grants to developers, researchers, and educators. It also temporarily paused new grant applications to refine its funding approach.
Institutional Demand Paints a Different Picture
While EF converts some of its holdings for operational purposes, institutional players are moving in the opposite direction with large purchases. For example:
- Yunfeng Financial Group recently bought 10,000 ETH on the open market
- Ether Machine, preparing for a Nasdaq listing, acquired 150,000 ETH, boosting its total holdings to more than 345,000 ETH (about $1.5 billion)
Meanwhile, Ethereum’s price has climbed 23% over the past month, trading near $4,326, still below its August peak of roughly $4,870.
These contrasting moves show how EF’s strategic selling balances ecosystem funding, while institutional buyers demonstrate strong confidence in Ethereum’s long-term value.
