Ethereum News Today: Ethereum's Rise as Strategic Reserve Asset Gets a Boost from Jack Ma-Linked Yunfeng

Yunfeng Financial Group, a Hong Kong-listed financial services firm with close ties to Alibaba founder Jack Ma, has entered the growing trend of institutional Ethereum (ETH) treasury accumulation by acquiring 10,000 ETH, valued at approximately $44 million. The company disclosed the purchase in a voluntary announcement, emphasizing that the funds were sourced entirely from internal cash reserves. This move is part of Yunfeng’s broader strategic expansion into Web3, real-world assets (RWAs), digital currency, and artificial intelligence, as outlined in July. The acquisition positions Yunfeng alongside other corporate and institutional entities that are increasingly viewing ETH as a strategic reserve asset, reflecting a broader shift in the financial industry toward blockchain-based infrastructure and digital assets [1].

The company plans to classify its ETH holdings as an investment asset on its balance sheet, with the intention of leveraging the asset to diversify its financial portfolio and reduce reliance on traditional fiat currencies. Yunfeng also highlighted potential applications for ETH in its insurance business and fintech operations, signaling a long-term commitment to integrating blockchain technology into its services. The company’s board emphasized that the inclusion of ETH aligns with its broader strategic goals, including supporting RWA tokenization and facilitating innovation in Web3 infrastructure. Yunfeng stressed that it would continue to monitor market and regulatory developments before making further acquisitions [3].

This acquisition comes amid a surge in corporate Ethereum treasury activity. As of the latest 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 leads with 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). Yunfeng’s purchase reinforces the trend of institutions treating ETH as a reserve asset, particularly in the context of tokenization and DeFi integration. Analysts suggest this growing institutional adoption signals increasing confidence in Ethereum’s long-term utility and market resilience [2].

Ethereum’s role as a foundational infrastructure for DeFi and tokenized assets is further underscored by the expanding ecosystem of layer-2 solutions and decentralized applications. Companies like Yunfeng and SharpLink are not only accumulating ETH but also exploring staking and yield generation to diversify returns. SharpLink, for instance, has adopted a transparent model, publishing weekly updates on its ETH purchases and staking rewards, which include nearly 1,800 ETH to date. Chalom, SharpLink’s co-CEO, emphasized Ethereum’s programmability and its potential as a backbone for the future of digital finance, distinguishing it from Bitcoin’s more limited use case as a store of value [4].

The broader market context for Ethereum is also bullish, with institutional adoption and regulatory clarity driving demand. U.S. spot Ethereum ETFs have seen consistent inflows, with over $11 billion in cumulative inflows since their inception, and monthly on-chain volume hitting a four-year high in August. The recent announcement from Yunfeng is part of a wave of corporate activity, with companies like BitMine Immersion Technologies and The Ether Machine also significantly expanding their ETH holdings. These moves reflect not just a financial investment but a strategic bet on Ethereum’s evolving role in the digital economy, particularly as it continues to support tokenization and decentralized finance innovation [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 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-Linked Yunfeng Buys 10000 ETH for $44M (https://finance.yahoo.com/news/jack-ma-linked-yunfeng-buys-172820741.html)

[4] Why ETH Beats BTC for Treasury Strategy: SharpLink CEO (https://beincrypto.com/why-eth-beats-btc-for-institutional-strategy/)

[5] Ethereum treasury companies swell as spot ETFs notch (https://sherwood.news/crypto/ethereum-treasury-companies-swell-as-spot-etfs-notch-fifth-straight-month-of/)