Ethereum Foundation stakes $46M of ETH in largest single-day deposit

The Ethereum Foundation transferred 22,517 ETH, roughly $46 million at current prices, to an ETH2 Beacon Deposit Contract at about 1:38 a.m. ET on March 30. The foundation described the transaction as the largest single-day staking transfer from its treasury to date.

Blockchain analytics firm Arkham Intelligence flagged the transfer. The Ether moved from the foundation’s treasury wallet into a smart contract that submits staking deposits to the Beacon Chain. After the transfer, the foundation’s treasury held about 147,471 ETH, valued at nearly $302 million.

The foundation began staking portions of its holdings last month, first sending 2,016 ETH to staking. The activity follows a treasury policy announced in 2025 that commits to actively deploying assets to generate returns and support operations. In an X post last month the foundation said staking would help secure the Ethereum network and fund core operations, including protocol research and development, ecosystem programs and community grants.

The recipient address on March 30 was the Beacon Deposit Contract, a smart contract on Ethereum that accepts deposits for the Beacon Chain. The Beacon Chain is the proof-of-stake layer that has secured Ethereum since the network’s transition away from proof-of-work.

Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin trimmed its ETH holdings, selling about 17,196 ETH in February. Buterin has indicated the proceeds will be used over coming years to develop an open-source, secure and verifiable full stack of software and hardware for areas including finance and governance.

Market data show ether trading near $2,045, up about 2% over the past 24 hours and roughly 6.6% over the past 30 days. The foundation’s increased staking and recent large wallet movements are among several notable ETH transfers in recent months.

The Ethereum Foundation oversees protocol research, development and community grants and manages a treasury to support its work. The 2025 treasury policy directs the organization to deploy assets to produce returns that can fund ongoing operations and activities.