The Ethereum Foundation (EF) has staked an impressive 69,500 ETH as part of a strategic initiative to bolster its treasury. This recent staking spree, which took place on Friday, saw over 45,000 ETH staked in transactions of 2,047 ETH each, edging the foundation just 500 ETH short of its 70,000 target.
Valued at over $92.2 million, this significant staking event indicates the EF’s commitment to enhancing the protocol’s research, development, and ecosystem without relying on the sale of ETH for operational costs. So far, the EF has locked more than $143 million in the Ethereum Beacon Deposit Contract since it began staking in February as part of a broader treasury strategy announced in June 2025.
As the foundation continues to amass its stake, there are concerns regarding potential conflicts over future contentious hard forks. Co-founder Vitalik Buterin previously signaled that such moves could force the EF to take a definitive side. The foundation is reportedly exploring ways to mitigate this risk.
ETH Price Holds Firm Amid Sell Pressure
Currently trading near $2,050, Ethereum has managed to maintain significant support at the $2,000 mark amidst a surge in aggressive sell orders across derivatives markets. The negative net taker volume indicates a stark sell-side imbalance, with close to $1 billion in sell pressure being applied across exchanges.
Market dynamics shifted dramatically following geopolitical tensions, with former President Trump indicating that the conflict with Iran could persist, which contributed to the spike in sell orders. Trading remains precariously positioned below the Ichimoku cloud, with key resistance observed between $2,150 and $2,200.
ETH ETFs See Outflows While Retail Interest Grows
In the realm of ETFs, analysts noted significant outflows, with Ethereum spot ETFs witnessing $42.1 million leave the market this week. Notably, BlackRock has liquidated $53.3 million worth of ETH, contributing to the broader sell pressure.
Despite these outflows, retail demand appears to be rising in South Korea, as evidenced by a positive shift in the Korea Premium Index, now at approximately 0.6. This indicates that buyers in the region are currently willing to pay above the global market price for ETH, revealing a potential opportunity for the local trading community.
As traders navigate this current landscape, key resistance levels remain at $2,150 and $2,200. If Ethereum can decisively breach the latter, a bullish scenario could see prices target $2,300 and $2,400. Conversely, a drop below the crucial $2,000 support could open the door to lower levels around $1,900 and $1,800.
