Yunfeng Embraces Ethereum as Corporate "Digital Gold" for Web3 Future

Yunfeng Financial Group, a Hong Kong-listed financial services firm with close ties to Alibaba founder Jack Ma, has made a significant move into the crypto space by acquiring 10,000 Ethereum (ETH) tokens valued at approximately $44 million. The purchase, disclosed in a voluntary filing, was funded from Yunfeng’s internal cash reserves and will be recorded as an investment on its balance sheet [1]. The acquisition reflects Yunfeng’s strategic expansion into Web3, real-world assets (RWAs), digital currencies, and artificial intelligence. The company emphasized that Ethereum will serve as part of its reserve assets and will support tokenization activities, Web3 infrastructure, and integration of financial services with emerging technologies [1].

This move positions Yunfeng among a growing group of corporate and institutional investors treating Ethereum as a strategic reserve asset. According to data from the Strategic ETH Reserve (SER), structured entities now hold 4.44 million ETH valued at around $19 billion, representing 3.67% of Ethereum’s total supply [1]. The largest single holder is Bitmine Immersion Tech, which controls 1.8 million ETH ($7.7 billion), followed by SharpLink Gaming with 797,700 ETH ($3.4 billion) and The Ether Machine with 345,400 ETH ($1.5 billion) [1]. Yunfeng’s entry into the Ethereum treasury strategy aligns with trends seen at firms like SharpLink Gaming and Bitmine, which have also adopted large-scale ether acquisition strategies [2].

The decision to hold Ethereum as a reserve asset marks a shift in corporate treasury strategies, with companies increasingly viewing crypto as a hedge against traditional currency volatility and a tool for Web3 innovation. Yunfeng stated that its ETH holdings will help reduce reliance on traditional currencies and facilitate broader technological plans in Web3, including potential applications in its insurance and fintech operations [2]. The company also emphasized its cautious approach, noting it will continue to monitor market developments and regulatory changes before expanding its holdings further.

Yunfeng’s acquisition of Ethereum aligns with broader institutional adoption trends, including recent initiatives by HashKey Group, a Hong Kong-based crypto exchange that is raising $500 million for a Digital Asset Treasury fund focused on Ethereum and Bitcoin [4]. Meanwhile, Bitmine Immersion Technologies has also reached a milestone, increasing its Ethereum holdings to 2 million ETH, making it the largest Ethereum treasury globally [5]. Bitmine’s chairman highlighted Ethereum’s potential as a long-term macroeconomic trade, particularly as Wall Street and AI innovations increasingly integrate with blockchain technology [5].

Despite growing corporate interest, the volatility and regulatory uncertainty surrounding cryptocurrencies remain significant concerns. Yunfeng’s board warned shareholders to exercise caution when trading its stock in light of the high volatility associated with Ethereum and other digital assets [1]. Additionally, both the Hong Kong Stock Exchange and the local securities regulator distanced themselves from the filing, emphasizing they take no responsibility for its accuracy or completeness [1]. Analysts note that while corporate accumulation of Ethereum signals growing institutional confidence, sustained redemptions could temporarily impact prices [1].

The strategic use of Ethereum as a corporate reserve continues to evolve, with firms like Yunfeng, Bitmine, and SharpLink demonstrating a commitment to long-term value creation through digital assets. As more companies follow this trend, Ethereum’s role in global financial systems may expand, reinforcing its position as a “digital gold” asset for institutional and corporate investors.

Source:

[1] Jack Ma-Linked Yunfeng Buys 10000 ETH for $44M (https://finance.yahoo.com/news/jack-ma-linked-yunfeng-buys-172820741.html)

[2] Jack Ma-Linked Yunfeng Financial (0376) Buys $44M of ETH (https://www.coindesk.com/business/2025/09/02/jack-ma-linked-yunfeng-financial-to-build-ether-treasury-starting-with-usd44m-eth-purchase)

[3] Jack Ma-backed Yunfeng dives into crypto with $44m Ether ... (https://asia.nikkei.com/spotlight/caixin/jack-ma-backed-yunfeng-dives-into-crypto-with-44m-ether-purchase)

[4] HashKey Launches $500M Crypto Fund with Ethereum ... (https://www.ccn.com/news/crypto/hashkey-crypto-fund-ethereum-bitcoin/)

[5] BitMine's Ethereum Holdings Hits New Milestone With 2M ... (https://bitcoinist.com/bitmine-ethereum-treasury-2-million-eth-holdings/)