Top 7 Public Institutions Holding Ethereum in 2025
Today’s post is about the top public institutions that hold Ethereum.
Once reserved for speculative trading by enthusiasts, Ethereum has now become a go-to reserve asset for forward-thinking public companies.
What began as experimental exposure has evolved into large-scale treasury strategies.
From biotech firms to gaming companies, seven public institutions have made bold moves in 2025.
Accumulating Ethereum for them was not just a speculative play, but also a strategic reserve that unlocks staking yield, investor interest, and balance sheet diversification in one stroke.
Let’s dive in already.
Top 7 Public Institutions Holding Ethereum
In the table below, you’ll find the following:
- who these leading institutions are
- how much ETH they hold
- when they began accumulating
- their founders, and
- the strategic reasons behind their move into Ethereum.
| Company / Institution | ETH Holdings (Approx.) | Accumulation Started | Founder(s) | Strategic Reason for Ethereum Exposure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coinbase Global Inc. | 1.9M ETH | 2021 | Brian Armstrong & Fred Ehrsam | Ethereum is the backbone of DeFi and NFT activity; Coinbase leverages ETH for custody, staking, and yield to support institutional clients. |
| Grayscale Ethereum Trust (ETHE) | 3.0M+ ETH | 2019 | Barry Silbert (via Digital Currency Group) | Created to provide accredited investors with ETH exposure; positions ETH as the second-largest institutional crypto allocation after BTC. |
| Galaxy Digital Holdings | 110K ETH | 2020 | Mike Novogratz | Strategic ETH position for its role in DeFi, staking, and Web3 infrastructure; Galaxy also uses ETH for client fund management. |
| Meitu Inc. (Hong Kong) | 31,000 ETH | March 2021 | Cai Wensheng | Diversification strategy into blockchain assets; ETH seen as a long-term investment and key to future apps beyond BTC. |
| Ark Invest (via ETFs & funds) | 25,000+ ETH (indirect through products) | 2022 | Cathie Wood | Exposure to ETH through regulated funds to provide clients access to Ethereum’s growth in DeFi and smart contracts. |
| Hut 8 Mining Corp. | 15,000 ETH | 2022 | Founded by Jaime Leverton (CEO since 2020, corp. est. 2011) | Diversification beyond BTC mining; ETH seen as hedge and staking opportunity for treasury yield. |
| Bitwise Ethereum Fund | 50,000 ETH | 2021 | Hunter Horsley & Hong Kim | Offers investors pure ETH exposure; supports Ethereum’s dominance in smart contract adoption. |
Why These Moves Matter
When big institutions add Ethereum to their balance sheets, they’re doing more than buying another coin.
Their moves demonstrate how the crypto landscape is maturing and why everyday investors should take notice.
1. Balancing the Treasury Beyond Bitcoin
For years, Bitcoin was the first and only stop for corporate treasuries.
By incorporating Ethereum into their strategies, these firms are diversifying risk and seeking growth from multiple digital assets.
It’s like a well-diversified portfolio that blends stocks, bonds, and commodities.
It is also a sign that crypto diversification is becoming mainstream.
2. Earning Passive Income Through Staking
Ethereum offers something Bitcoin doesn’t: native staking rewards.
Institutions can lock up their ETH to help secure the network and earn regular yield.
Think of it as collecting crypto interest, turning a volatile asset into a potential source of steady income.
3. Getting a Front-Row Seat to Web3
NFTs, decentralized finance (DeFi), and tokenized real-world assets all run on Ethereum.
By holding ETH, companies gain exposure to the rails of the next internet era.
As Africa’s tech scene grows, that kind of positioning speaks to where digital economies everywhere are headed.
4. A Rare Combo: Value and Utility
ETH is both a store of value and the fuel that powers smart contracts.
That dual purpose, scarce like digital gold yet productive like a tech stock, makes it really appealing for institutions planning decades ahead.
For traders in Nigeria and across Africa, these moves underline a larger trend.
Ethereum is no longer just an altcoin anymore.
It is becoming a core building block of modern finance, and the institutions know it.
Final Thoughts
Institutional Ethereum adoption is still in its early stages, but the pace is accelerating.
With staking yields, DeFi integrations, and a growing ecosystem of Web3 applications, Ethereum is no longer just the second crypto after Bitcoin.
It is becoming a cornerstone asset for public companies, investment trusts, and funds.
Now, let’s talk: What do you think?
Will Ethereum eventually overtake Bitcoin as the top choice for institutional treasuries?
Let me know in the comments below.
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