Ethereum Foundation Initiates 70,000 ETH Staking Plan as Vitalik Buterin Offloads Holdings
February 24, 2026
The Ethereum Foundation has initiated a staking plan for 70,000 ETH, with rewards going back into its treasury. This move follows Vitalik Buterin’s decision to sell over 10,000 ETH to support open-source projects. Buterin, the co-founder of Ethereum, has sold about 10,723 ETH since February 2nd, according to data from Onchain Lens. Recent reports from Arkham Intelligence reveal that he disposed of nearly $2.5 million worth of Ethereum between Monday and Tuesday.
The Ethereum Foundation has kicked off its staking initiative following its treasury policy update, and the first deposit of 2,016 ETH has already been made. The foundation is employing open-source infrastructure tools for this venture, such as Dirk and Vouch by Attestant IO. Dirk operates as a distributed signer, facilitating validator operations across multiple jurisdictions and reducing the risk of a single point of failure. On the other hand, Vouch supports various client pairings and includes measures to mitigate client diversity risks.
Ethereum’s price has experienced a decline, currently hovering around $1,826 as of Tuesday morning, indicating a drop of nearly 5% in the previous 24 hours. Sentiment around ETH on Stocktwits remains overwhelmingly bearish. Concurrently, Ethereum-related equities like Bitmine Immersion Technologies (BMNR) and SharpLink Gaming (SBET) have also faced losses in pre-market trade, slipping by as much as 1.7%.
This deterioration in Ethereum’s price coincides with a more extensive downtrend in the broader cryptocurrency market. Bitcoin (BTC), which recently faced a brief slump on Monday night to approximately $62,900, is now striving to stay above $63,000. The market upheaval followed a significant decline in IBM’s stock, the largest in 25 years, amid claims by Anthropic suggesting that Claude can execute tasks that IBM’s consultants take years to accomplish.
The Ethereum Foundation’s treasury strategy adjustment towards staking aims to strike a balance between operational resilience and decentralization goals. The foundation has engaged a range of open-source software options and adopts a multifaceted approach that emphasizes operational diversity and decentralization. The incorporation of Dirk and Vouch enables the foundation to manage validator operations effectively and mitigate potential risks.
In conclusion, the Ethereum Foundation’s decision to embark on its staking venture while Vitalik Buterin divests his Ethereum holdings underscores a strategic shift towards open-source projects and decentralized finance infrastructure. This move reflects a broader trend in the crypto market as players seek to adapt to swelling market uncertainties and evolving regulatory landscapes.
