Yunfeng Stakes ETH Claim in Web3's Future

Yunfeng Financial Group, a Hong Kong-listed entity with strong ties to Alibaba founder Jack Ma, has made a significant move into the digital asset space by acquiring 10,000 Ethereum (ETH) tokens for approximately $44 million. This acquisition, disclosed through a voluntary filing, marks one of the largest Ethereum purchases by an Asian publicly traded company this year and signals a strategic shift toward Web3, real-world assets (RWAs), and artificial intelligence (AI) integration. Yunfeng emphasized that the ETH would be classified as an investment asset on its balance sheet and serve as part of its reserve holdings, aiming to diversify its asset base and reduce reliance on traditional fiat currencies [1].

Yunfeng’s decision aligns with broader institutional interest in Ethereum, with the Strategic ETH Reserve (SER) reporting that corporate and structured entities now hold 4.44 million ETH, totaling about $19 billion in value. This accounts for roughly 3.67% of Ethereum’s total supply. The largest individual holder, Bitmine Immersion Tech, owns 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 move further cements Ethereum’s position as a strategic reserve asset, akin to the “digital gold” model popularized by U.S. companies like MicroStrategy [2].

The firm’s management highlighted Ethereum’s utility in supporting RWA tokenization and providing infrastructure for Web3 innovation, particularly in insurance and fintech applications. While the acquisition is a long-term strategic play, the board acknowledged the inherent volatility of cryptocurrencies and urged shareholders to remain cautious. Yunfeng also indicated that it would continue to evaluate market conditions and regulatory developments before expanding its ETH holdings further. The Hong Kong Stock Exchange and local securities regulator did not endorse the filing, emphasizing their disassociation from its content [3].

Yunfeng’s move is part of a growing trend among publicly listed firms in Asia and beyond to allocate digital assets as part of their treasury strategies. In Hong Kong, other major players, including New Huo Technology and HashKey Group, are also investing in Ethereum and other cryptocurrencies. HashKey recently announced a $500 million Digital Asset Treasury (DAT) fund, with a focus on Ethereum and Bitcoin projects. This trend mirrors strategies adopted by U.S. firms, where Ethereum ETF inflows have surged, with ether-based funds collecting $1.6 billion in the last week alone [4].

Analysts suggest that the increasing adoption of Ethereum by institutional players could drive long-term confidence in the asset, although short-term volatility and regulatory scrutiny remain key concerns. Yunfeng’s purchase underscores the growing acceptance of Ethereum as a legitimate store of value and a tool for technological innovation. However, the firm also noted that sustained redemptions or regulatory uncertainty could temporarily weigh on prices. As more companies explore digital asset allocations, Ethereum’s role as a strategic reserve could become more entrenched, potentially reshaping the landscape of corporate treasury management [5].

Source:

[1] title1 (https://finance.yahoo.com/news/jack-ma-linked-yunfeng-buys-172820741.html)

[2] title2 (https://www.coindesk.com/business/2025/09/02/jack-ma-linked-yunfeng-financial-to-build-ether-treasury-starting-with-usd44m-eth-purchase)

[3] title3 (https://cointelegraph.com/news/yunfeng-financial-10000-eth-web3-expansion)

[4] title4 (https://beincrypto.com/hong-kong-firms-eth-bnb-solana-dat/)

[5] title5 (https://www.ccn.com/news/crypto/hashkey-crypto-fund-ethereum-bitcoin/)