Ethereum News Today: Peter Thiel Buys 7.5% Stake in ETHZilla Spur 207% Stock Surge

Peter Thiel has acquired a 7.5% stake in ETHZilla, formerly known as 180 Life Sciences, triggering a dramatic 207% surge in its stock price, which closed at $10.24 per share on July 18, 2025 [1]. The investment, disclosed through a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, has drawn attention to the firm’s strategic pivot from biotech to Ethereum holdings [1]. ETHZilla’s rebranding reflects a broader industry trend of traditional companies embracing digital assets as part of their financial strategy.

Thiel’s involvement in the crypto space is not new. He previously invested in BitMine, another publicly traded firm that has accumulated over $5 billion in Ethereum [1]. Through his venture capital firm, Founders Fund, Thiel has also supported key developments in the Ethereum ecosystem, including a $100,000 grant to co-founder Vitalik Buterin in 2014 [1]. His investments continue to signal confidence in the long-term potential of blockchain technology and Ethereum’s role in the evolving financial landscape.

The stock price surge follows a period of heightened interest in Ethereum, which recently broke above $4,500 for the first time since 2021 [1]. This comes amid growing regulatory clarity in the U.S., including a recent executive order that permits 401(k) accounts to invest in digital assets [1]. The alignment of regulatory support with high-profile investments like Thiel’s in ETHZilla suggests a broader shift in how institutional players are viewing the crypto market.

Thiel’s influence extends beyond finance into policy and technology circles. His connections with figures in the Trump administration, including Vice President JD Vance and David Sacks, underscore his role in shaping the integration of digital assets into traditional financial frameworks [1]. The investment in ETHZilla is seen as part of a larger movement to institutionalize crypto and establish it as a legitimate asset class.

As the market reacts to these developments, the performance of ETHZilla offers insight into the potential for traditional firms to benefit from strategic repositioning in the crypto space. Thiel’s stake reinforces the growing intersection between venture capital, public markets, and blockchain innovation.

Source: [1] ETHZilla Ethereum Treasury Stock Skyrockets After Peter ... (https://decrypt.co/334835/ethzilla-ethereum-treasury-stock-skyrockets-peter-thiel-buys-stake)