The Ethereum Foundation (EF) has announced plans to sell 10,000 ETH, worth around $43 million, to fund research, development, and community initiatives.
While the move is consistent with EF’s long history of treasury management, it has sparked debate among investors who worry about its short-term impact on price.
At the same time, corporate interest in Ethereum has grown, with SharpLink Gaming recently buying ETH directly from the foundation.
Together, these events highlight the tension between ecosystem growth and market reactions. This article explores EF’s selling plan and SharpLink’s involvement, and what they could mean for Ethereum’s future.
Ethereum Foundation’s New Plan
Ethereum Foundation’s decision to sell ETH is not new, but its timing and structure make it significant. The plan is to distribute 10,000 ETH gradually across centralised exchanges over several weeks, ensuring liquidity is not disrupted.
Proceeds will go towards funding education, research, and operational programmes that support the Ethereum ecosystem.
This structured method reflects EF’s updated treasury framework, which caps spending at 15% of reserves each year and requires quarterly reviews to decide if further asset sales are needed.
Earlier in June, EF outlined this policy to create a multi-year financial buffer while ensuring it can continue distributing grants responsibly. By early 2025, more than $32 million in grants had already been given out, many of them supporting community projects.
However, EF temporarily paused new applications to refine its funding processes, showing a desire for better long-term planning.
The sale follows earlier transactions, including a $25 million transfer of ETH directly to SharpLink Gaming and two smaller transactions worth a combined $12.7 million.
These sales are relatively modest compared to past moves, such as the sale of 100,000 ETH in 2020, which preceded a significant price rally. Still, investors remain cautious.
A sale from the foundation, even if managed carefully, raises concerns about oversupply and the possibility of downward pressure in the short term.
What makes this plan distinct is EF’s transparent communication. By signalling the sale ahead of time and committing to a staggered process, the foundation reduces the risk of sudden shocks.
The broader question, however, is whether corporate demand can absorb these releases, balancing out the potential selling pressure.
Will SharpLink Save ETH?
The direct purchase of ETH by SharpLink Gaming marked a turning point. For the first time, a publicly listed company acquired ETH straight from the Ethereum Foundation instead of going through exchanges.
The $25 million deal positioned SharpLink as a corporate holder of ETH and opened the door for more institutions to follow.
This matters because corporate buyers tend to treat ETH as a strategic asset rather than a speculative holding. SharpLink’s involvement suggests that Ethereum is crossing into mainstream treasury strategies, where digital assets sit alongside traditional reserves.
Institutions like Ether Machine, which recently purchased 150,000 ETH in preparation for a Nasdaq listing, are also reinforcing this trend. With its holdings now exceeding 345,000 ETH, Ether Machine represents one of the largest corporate holders of the asset.
Such acquisitions have broader implications for the market. When EF sells, corporate buyers like SharpLink may step in to absorb supply, preventing oversaturation and stabilising prices.
This dynamic creates a natural balance: EF secures funds to support ecosystem growth while institutions gain exposure to Ethereum’s long-term value.
However, it would be naïve to assume SharpLink alone can safeguard ETH from short-term volatility.
The foundation’s sale is relatively small in scale, but it coincides with a period of cautious sentiment in the wider crypto market. Investors will watch closely to see whether corporate interest offsets concerns of dilution.
If institutions continue to accumulate ETH as they have in recent months, the long-term picture may prove more resilient than the immediate reaction suggests.
Conclusion
Ethereum Foundation’s plan to sell 10,000 ETH has reignited debate over how much influence its treasury management has on price. While the move may create short-term uncertainty, its structured and transparent approach signals caution and responsibility.
On the other hand, SharpLink Gaming’s direct purchase of ETH represents a growing shift, as corporations increasingly adopt Ethereum into their balance sheets.
This balance between foundation sales and institutional demand highlights Ethereum’s evolving role in both crypto and traditional finance. For investors, the key lies in managing risk, recognising that while volatility may persist, Ethereum’s long-term position remains strong.