Ethereum News Today: Ethereum's Staking and DeFi Attract Institutions, Push Holdings Past 10% Supply

Ethereum's institutional and corporate adoption has reached a pivotal milestone, with treasury holdings and spot ETFs collectively surpassing 10% of the cryptocurrency's total circulating supply. According to data from StrategicETHReserve and Standard Chartered, institutional entities now control approximately 3.39% of Ethereum's supply directly, while spot ETFs hold an additional 5.5%, bringing the combined total to nearly 9% as of late July Institutional ETH Treasuries Surpass $17.6B in Holdings^[1]. This surge reflects a strategic shift in how corporations and funds are allocating capital to Ethereum, driven by its utility advantages over Bitcoin and favorable regulatory dynamics.

The growth is led by firms such as BitMine Immersion Technologies and SharpLink Gaming, which have aggressively accumulated Ethereum for staking and DeFi exposure. BitMine, formerly a Bitcoin miner, now holds 1.5 million ETH, valued at $6.6 billion, while SharpLink's holdings exceed 740,000 ETH, worth over $3.2 billion Ether Treasury Companies to Eventually Own 10% of Supply: Standard Chartered^[2]. These companies, along with others like The Ether Machine, have positioned Ethereum as a yield-generating asset, leveraging staking rewards of approximately 3% and access to decentralized finance (DeFi) protocols to enhance returns. Standard Chartered's Geoff Kendrick notes that Ethereum's ability to generate passive income through staking and DeFi tools provides a structural advantage over Bitcoin, which lacks such utility Corporate Ethereum Treasuries Could Hit 10% of Supply^[3].

Spot Ethereum ETFs have further amplified institutional demand, with cumulative net inflows reaching $9.4 billion as of July 2025. BlackRock's ETHA alone accounts for $11 billion in assets under management, reflecting strong investor appetite for regulated exposure to Ethereum Strategic ETH Reserves Hits $10 Billion On Ethereum's 10th Birthday^[4]. The ETF market has mirrored corporate accumulation trends, with both groups acquiring roughly 1.6% of Ethereum's supply since June Ethereum Treasury Stocks vs ETFs: Which Is the Better Buy?^[5]. This dual-channel demand has contributed to Ethereum's outperformance against Bitcoin, as evidenced by the ETH/BTC ratio rising from 0.018 in April to 0.032 by July Ethereum Treasury Companies Could Own 10% of Coin One Day, Says Standard Chartered^[6].

Analysts project that corporate Ethereum holdings could expand tenfold to 10% of total supply, driven by ongoing accumulation and regulatory arbitrage opportunities. Standard Chartered maintains a year-end price target of $4,000 for Ethereum, while others, including Wolf of Crypto Wolf, suggest potential for $8,000 to $13,000 in a bullish scenario Will Ethereum Cross $4,000? Analysts Debate^[7]. The bank's Kendrick argues that Ethereum treasury companies, such as SharpLink, now offer more attractive investment prospects than ETFs due to normalized net asset value (NAV) multiples and direct exposure to staking rewards Ethereum Treasury Stocks 'Better Buy' Than ETH ETFs^[8]. For instance, SharpLink's NAV multiple has stabilized near 1.0, indicating its market valuation aligns closely with the value of its ETH holdings Ether Treasury Companies to Eventually Own 10% of Supply^[9].

Despite the optimism, risks persist. Staking Ethereum involves liquidity delays and smart contract risks, as highlighted by Bernstein. Additionally, regulatory scrutiny, particularly in the U.S. and Europe, could impact the trajectory of institutional adoption Staking Brings Rewards and Risks^[10]. However, the transition to Ethereum's proof-of-stake model and its role in tokenization and decentralized applications continue to attract long-term investors. As Ethereum approaches its 10th anniversary, the combined influence of corporate treasuries, ETFs, and DeFi ecosystems is reshaping its market dynamics, positioning it as a cornerstone of institutional digital asset portfolios Strategic ETH Reserves Hits $10 Billion On Ethereum's 10th Birthday^[11].