Ethereum News Today: Yunfeng Vaults into Web3 with $44M ETH Bet, Eyes Digital Future

Yunfeng Financial Group, a Hong Kong-listed financial services firm with ties to Alibaba founder Jack Ma, has acquired 10,000 ether (ETH) for approximately $44 million, marking a significant step in its strategic expansion into Web3, real-world assets (RWAs), and digital currencies. The purchase, announced on September 2, 2025, was funded entirely from internal cash reserves and will be reflected as an investment asset on the company’s balance sheet. Yunfeng stated that the move aligns with its broader initiative to integrate emerging technologies into its financial services, including insurance and asset management. The firm emphasized that Ethereum’s inclusion in its strategic reserves supports tokenization activities for RWAs and provides infrastructure for Web3 innovation [1].

The decision to allocate ETH as a reserve asset was highlighted by the company as a key part of its long-term strategy to reduce reliance on traditional fiat currencies. Yunfeng also noted that the acquisition positions it to explore the potential application of Ethereum in decentralized finance and new business scenarios within its insurance operations. The company’s management emphasized that it will continue to monitor regulatory developments and market volatility before expanding its holdings further. Yunfeng’s board also issued a cautionary note, reminding shareholders that cryptocurrencies remain highly volatile and advised exercising care when trading its stock [1].

The Hong Kong Stock Exchange and the local securities regulator distanced themselves from the filing, stating they took no responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of the disclosures. The acquisition places Yunfeng among a growing group of corporate and institutional entities treating Ethereum as a strategic reserve. According to Strategic ETH Reserve (SER) data, structured entities now hold 4.44 million ETH, valued at around $19 billion, representing 3.67% of Ethereum’s total supply. Bitmine Immersion Tech is the largest single holder, controlling 1.8 million ETH valued at roughly $7.7 billion, followed by SharpLink Gaming and The Ether Machine [2].

Yunfeng’s move reflects a broader trend in institutional adoption of Ethereum. Companies such as Bitmine Immersion Technologies and SharpLink Gaming have similarly adopted ether treasury strategies, acquiring large quantities of the cryptocurrency to emulate the approach pioneered by MicroStrategy. Yunfeng’s purchase adds to the corporate Ethereum holdings, which have risen to $19 billion as structured entities increasingly view the asset as a strategic reserve. Analysts note that while sustained redemptions could temporarily impact prices, long-term accumulation by firms like Yunfeng signals growing confidence in Ethereum as an institutional-grade asset [3].

The firm also revealed that it plans to apply for license upgrades from Hong Kong’s Securities and Futures Commission, which would allow its securities subsidiaries to offer virtual asset trading services and manage portfolios with digital assets. This aligns with Hong Kong’s broader digital asset initiative and reflects the increasing regulatory clarity in the region. Yunfeng’s foray into digital assets coincides with a surge in cryptocurrency prices, with ether up 70% year-to-date and bitcoin trading nearly 90% higher than a year ago. The company’s strategic investments in Web3 and RWA tokenization highlight its commitment to adapting to the evolving financial landscape [5].

Source:

[1] Jack Ma-Linked Yunfeng Financial Acquires $44M of ETH ... (https://cointelegraph.com/news/yunfeng-financial-10000-eth-web3-expansion)

[2] Jack Ma-Linked Yunfeng Buys 10,000 ETH for $44M (https://finance.yahoo.com/news/jack-ma-linked-yunfeng-buys-172820741.html)

[3] Yunfeng Financial Invests US$44 Million in Ether Amid Hong ... (https://finance.yahoo.com/news/yunfeng-financial-invests-us-44-093000953.html)