Ethereum core developer Zak Cole and a group of supporters launched the Ethereum Community Foundation (ECF), announcing it on X(Twitter) this week and sharing details at the eighth Ethereum Community Conference in Cannes, France.
‘Millions’ to Drive Institutional Adoption & Boost $ETH Price
While the foundation has a global mandate, it was officially unveiled in Cannes. Its mission is to support infrastructure projects, drive institutional adoption of Ethereum, and increase the price of ETH by raising millions in ETH and distributing funds to credibly neutral projects.
Foundation Launch and Mandate
Zak Cole explained that the Ethereum Community Foundation will fill gaps left by the existing Ethereum Foundation. While the Ethereum Foundation focuses on protocol research and development, the new group aims to treat ETH as an asset class.
ECF’s goal is to support projects that help institutions adopt Ethereum technology. By doing so, the foundation hopes to increase demand for ETH and lift its market value.
Funding and Treasury
ECF has already built a treasury of ETH contributed by individual backers. Cole told that the foundation holds millions of dollars in ETH.
These funds will be disbursed to projects judged to be credibly neutral. Contributors can see exactly how much ETH is in the treasury and where it is allocated.
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Governance and Transparency
Cole stressed that ECF will operate with full transparency. All grants, discussions and votes will be in public view.
Funding decisions will be driven by coin voting, giving those who hold ETH a direct voice. This open model aims to keep the foundation aligned with the interests of ETH holders.
First Initiative: Ethereum Validator Association
The ECF’s first project is the Ethereum Validator Association (EVA), and it will give network validators a formal role in protocol development. By staking ETH, validators can signal their preferences on upgrade road maps and client priorities. EVA will also fund tools and infrastructure to help validators run nodes more efficiently.
Focus on Real‑World Assets and Public Goods
Beyond EVA, ECF plans to back applications that bring stocks, bonds, real estate and other assets onchain.
The foundation also wants to fund public goods efforts, such as fixing mispriced blob space in the network. By supporting these areas, ECF aims to expand Ethereum’s use cases and strengthen its infrastructure.
Potential Conflicts and Oversight
Cole warned of possible conflicts of interest, citing Offchain Labs and its stake in Prysmatic Labs. He said ECF will watch such situations closely.
The foundation intends to set clear rules so that no single party can sway grants for personal gain. This oversight is meant to protect the integrity of funding decisions.
Ethereum Foundation’s Treasury Plan
In contrast, the Ethereum Foundation introduced a new treasury policy on June 5, 2025. It will reduce annual spending from 15% of its assets to 5% by 2030. The policy also outlines support for DeFi projects. ECF’s launch adds a fresh approach focused squarely on ETH as an asset.
ETH’s Price Actions
Ethereum is trading at $2,601.20 and is up by 6.13% in the last 24 hours. The global market cap stands at $314.03 billion, and the 24-hour trading volume is up by 58.27%. These figures underscore growing interest in ETH as both a technology platform and an investment asset.
Reactions from developers and investors have been mixed. Some welcome a new body to champion ETH holders. Others worry about the fragmentation of resources.
Cole maintains that ECF will complement, not compete with, existing organisations. He said more details on supporters and governance will be released in the coming weeks.
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