Ethereum News Today: "Jack Ma Affiliate Bets Big on Ethereum’s Web3 Future"

Yunfeng Financial Group, a Hong Kong-listed financial technology firm linked to Alibaba founder Jack Ma, has acquired 10,000 ETH for approximately $44 million, positioning itself in the corporate ether treasury trend. The purchase, announced in a voluntary filing, is being funded entirely from internal cash reserves and is part of the company’s strategic expansion into Web3, real-world assets (RWA), digital currency, and artificial intelligence [1]. The firm stated that Ethereum was selected to support RWA tokenization initiatives and to facilitate broader integration with Web3 infrastructure [3].

The acquisition is being classified as an investment asset on Yunfeng’s balance sheet and is expected to diversify its asset base while reducing reliance on traditional fiat currencies [2]. The company also expressed interest in exploring Ethereum’s potential applications in its insurance operations and decentralized finance (DeFi) initiatives. Yunfeng emphasized the need to monitor market and regulatory developments before increasing its ETH holdings further [3].

This move aligns with a broader trend among publicly listed companies in adopting ether as a strategic reserve asset. Yunfeng joins entities such as SharpLink Gaming and Bitmine Immersion Technologies in building large ETH treasuries. As of recent data, corporate and institutional entities hold a combined 4.44 million ETH, valued at approximately $19 billion, representing 3.67% of Ethereum’s total supply [3]. Bitmine Immersion Technologies remains the largest single holder, with 1.8 million ETH valued at around $7.7 billion [1].

Yunfeng’s decision to hold ETH reflects a growing institutional confidence in Ethereum as a strategic asset. The company cited Ethereum’s role in facilitating innovation in tokenization and Web3 infrastructure as key justifications for the investment. However, the company also acknowledged the volatility inherent in cryptocurrency markets, cautioning shareholders to exercise care in trading its stock [3].

Analysts note that while corporate accumulation of ETH may signal longer-term support for the asset, short-term price pressures could emerge from redemptions or market uncertainty. Yunfeng’s move underscores the increasing overlap between traditional finance and blockchain technology, with firms leveraging Ethereum’s capabilities to expand into new financial and technological frontiers.

The Hong Kong Stock Exchange and local regulators have distanced themselves from the filing, stating they take no responsibility for its accuracy or completeness. Despite this, Yunfeng’s acquisition is a notable development in the corporate adoption of Ethereum, particularly in Asia, where regulatory and market conditions are still evolving [3].

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)