Ethereum News Today: Yunfeng Sees Ethereum as Next-Gen Reserve Asset in Web3 Push

Yunfeng Financial Group, a Hong Kong-listed company with ties to Alibaba founder Jack Ma, has acquired 10,000 Ethereum (ETH) tokens, valued at approximately $44 million, as part of its strategic expansion into Web3 technologies, real-world assets (RWAs), and artificial intelligence. The purchase, disclosed in a voluntary announcement, was funded through the company’s internal cash reserves. Yunfeng emphasized that ETH was selected as a reserve asset to support RWA tokenization initiatives, technological innovation, and the integration of financial services with Web3 infrastructure [1].

The company intends to classify the acquired ETH as an investment asset on its balance sheet. According to the announcement, this move aims to diversify its asset base and reduce reliance on traditional fiat currencies. Additionally, Yunfeng plans to explore Ethereum’s potential in insurance operations and decentralized finance (DeFi) applications, reflecting a broader shift toward digital asset adoption in the financial sector [2]. The company also noted that it would continue to monitor regulatory developments and market conditions before considering further expansion into digital assets [3].

This acquisition places Yunfeng among a growing number of institutional and corporate entities treating ETH as a strategic reserve asset. According to data from Strategic ETH Reserve (SER), corporate Ethereum holdings now total 4.44 million ETH, valued at approximately $19 billion, representing 3.67% of Ethereum’s total supply. BitMine Immersion Technologies leads the list with 1.87 million ETH, while The Ether Machine and SharpLink Gaming also hold significant amounts [1]. Yunfeng’s decision to allocate a portion of its treasury to ETH underscores the increasing institutional confidence in Ethereum as a long-term asset class [3].

The move aligns with a broader trend of institutional adoption of digital assets, particularly Ethereum. The Ether Machine recently announced a private financing round securing 150,000 ETH, and BitMine Immersion Technologies added more than 150,000 ETH to its holdings, bringing its total to nearly 1.87 million ETH, valued at around $8.1 billion [1]. Analysts suggest that as more corporations allocate capital to digital assets, Ethereum’s role as a reserve asset could grow, particularly if it continues to demonstrate utility in DeFi and RWAs [2].

Yunfeng Financial Group, which offers services such as brokerage, asset management, and insurance, is majority owned by Yunfeng Capital, a private equity firm co-founded by Jack Ma in 2010. The company’s recent announcement reflects a strategic pivot toward Web3 and digital finance, a sector that is gaining traction among traditional financial institutions. While Ethereum remains highly volatile, Yunfeng’s management has warned shareholders to exercise caution, noting the risks associated with digital asset holdings [2]. The Hong Kong Stock Exchange and local securities regulator have also distanced themselves from the announcement, stating they take no responsibility for its accuracy [2].

The acquisition highlights a broader shift in the corporate finance landscape, where digital assets are increasingly being integrated into institutional investment strategies. Yunfeng’s approach mirrors that of other firms, such as SharpLink Gaming and BitMine Immersion Technologies, which have adopted similar ether treasury strategies. As Ethereum continues to evolve with upgrades and infrastructure developments, its role in institutional portfolios is expected to grow, further reinforcing its position as a key player in the global financial ecosystem [1].

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-linked Yunfeng Financial acquires $44M of ETH ... (https://cointelegraph.com/news/yunfeng-financial-10000-eth-web3-expansion)