The Ethereum Foundation, the non-profit organisation that supports development of the Ethereum blockchain, will use open-source software developed by Bitwise Onchain Solutions to stake approximately 70,000 ETH from its treasury.
Staking involves locking cryptocurrency to help validate transactions on a proof-of-stake blockchain, generating yield for the holder in return.
The foundation has begun the process with an initial deposit of 2,016 ETH and plans to build its staked position to approximately 70,000 ETH, worth more than $140 million at current prices.
It will use two tools maintained by Bitwise's onchain staking division: Dirk, a distributed signing system designed to eliminate single points of failure and enable operators across multiple jurisdictions, and Vouch, which supports multiple client pairings to reduce network-wide risks from software concentration.
Bitwise said the tools originated with Attestant, a staking infrastructure team it acquired in 2024.
Sreejith Das, Bitwise head of onchain solutions and co-founder of Attestant, said: "When we first built Dirk and Vouch, our mission was to create the most resilient, secure staking infrastructure for the ecosystem."
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Bitwise said it will continue to develop and maintain both tools as open-source public goods for the broader Ethereum ecosystem.
The company said the move reflects growing institutional appetite for staking arrangements that generate yield while supporting network decentralisation and security.
The recap
- Ethereum Foundation will use Bitwise's Dirk and Vouch.
- Initial deposit of 2,016 ETH, part of treasury staking plan.
- Foundation plans to stake approximately 70,000 ETH over time.