Ethereum Foundation Grants 10,000 ETH to SharpLink for Web3 Gaming
On July 10, 2025, the Ethereum Foundation executed an OTC transfer of 10,000 ETH (approximately $18 million at an average price of $2,572) to publicly traded SharpLink Gaming, marking the largest direct corporate ETH acquisition. This 10,000 ETH allocation serves both as a grant and treasury purchase to accelerate SharpLink’s social play-to-earn gaming platform on Ethereum. Funds will scale Layer 2 infrastructure, enhance user onboarding, expand the NFT economy, and increase staked ETH for network security and decentralization. The announcement drove SharpLink stock up 50%, while ETH price rose over 6% to near $2,998 with trading volume surging. The landmark deal underscores growing institutional adoption of Ethereum, highlights its role in corporate treasury management, and reaffirms the Ethereum Foundation’s commitment to Web3 gaming and decentralized finance.
Bullish
The 10,000 ETH transfer by the Ethereum Foundation to SharpLink Gaming represents a significant institutional commitment, driving immediate price and volume increases for ETH. In the short term, the deal triggered a 6% price rally and a 50% surge in SharpLink’s stock, reflecting heightened market confidence. Over the long term, the allocation supports Layer 2 scaling, NFT adoption, and increased staking, all of which strengthen Ethereum’s network fundamentals and corporate treasury attractiveness. This combination of immediate market impact and structural growth drivers makes the overall outlook bullish for ETH.