Corporations will control 10% of Ethereum supply! Staking & DeFi adoption by businesses are driving forces behind this trend. #Ethereum #DeFi #CorporateCrypto
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Corporate Giants Eyeing Ethereum: Standard Chartered Predicts 10% Supply Control by Treasuries
Hey there, folks! I’m John, your go-to guide for all things blockchain and crypto. Today, we’re diving into some exciting news from Standard Chartered about how big companies might soon hold a huge chunk of Ethereum. My assistant Lila is here with me, asking the questions that many of you beginners might have. Let’s break it down step by step, making sure it’s easy to follow whether you’re new to this or have some experience under your belt.
What’s the Big News from Standard Chartered?
As of now, on July 30, 2025, Standard Chartered, a major British bank, has released a report that’s turning heads in the crypto world. They predict that corporate treasuries – that’s the departments in companies that manage their cash and investments – could end up controlling as much as 10% of all Ethereum (ETH) in circulation over time. This is a massive jump from where we are today.
Lila: Whoa, John, 10% sounds huge! What exactly are these “corporate treasuries” doing with Ethereum? And what’s Ethereum again, for us newbies?
John: Great questions, Lila! Ethereum is like the Swiss Army knife of blockchains – it’s a decentralized network (meaning no single company controls it) that powers smart contracts, which are self-executing agreements coded on the blockchain. Think of it as a global computer where apps run without downtime or censorship. As for corporate treasuries, these are the folks in big companies who handle the money reserves. In the past, they stuck to stocks, bonds, or cash, but now they’re dipping into crypto like ETH to diversify and earn yields.
According to the report, these companies aren’t just speculating on price swings. They’re holding ETH for practical reasons, like earning staking rewards (that’s when you lock up your ETH to help secure the network and get paid in return, kind of like earning interest on a savings account) and participating in DeFi (decentralized finance, which is like banking but on the blockchain, without middlemen).
A Look Back: How Did We Get Here?
In the past, say back in 2023 and 2024, Ethereum was mostly seen as a speculative asset or a platform for NFTs and apps. But things evolved quickly. The approval of Ethereum ETFs (exchange-traded funds, which let everyday investors buy ETH exposure through traditional stock markets) in the US marked a turning point. However, Standard Chartered points out that these corporate treasury holdings are different from ETFs. They’re direct ownership, giving companies more control and benefits like staking.
As of now, the report highlights that Ethereum treasury companies have snapped up about 1% of all ETH in circulation – that’s roughly 1.26 million ETH – in just the two months since early June 2025. Valued at current prices, that’s nearly $9 billion, and it’s already approaching 2%. This accumulation is happening at twice the pace of Bitcoin’s similar corporate buys.
Lila: Staking? DeFi? Okay, slow down, John. Staking sounds like gambling, but I know it’s not. Can you explain it like I’m five?
John: Absolutely, Lila! Staking is not gambling; it’s more like being a volunteer security guard for the Ethereum network. You “stake” your ETH by locking it up, which helps validate transactions and keep everything secure. In return, you earn new ETH as a reward – currently around 3-5% annually, depending on network conditions. DeFi takes it further: it’s a world of lending, borrowing, and trading on the blockchain, often yielding higher returns than traditional banks but with more risks, like smart contract bugs.
Current Trends and Rapid Growth
Looking at the latest updates, Standard Chartered notes that these treasury firms are “just getting started.” They’ve observed a surge in publicly traded companies adding ETH to their balance sheets. For instance, the bank forecasts that this could lead to a 10-fold increase, reaching 10% of ETH’s total supply. This isn’t just hype; it’s based on real data from recent months.
From reliable sources like CoinDesk and CryptoSlate, we see that corporate buys are driving ETH demand. Despite a recent 4% price dip, the bank predicts major institutional inflows could push Ethereum’s price above $4,000 soon. This contrasts with an earlier forecast from March 2025, where Standard Chartered cut their 2025 ETH price prediction to $4,000 due to competition and revenue dips, but the newest reports are more optimistic about treasury-driven growth.
Lila: So, why Ethereum over Bitcoin? I hear Bitcoin is the “digital gold,” but ETH seems to be stealing the show here.
John: Spot on, Lila. Bitcoin is indeed like digital gold – great for storing value. But Ethereum offers utility through its ecosystem. Companies can stake ETH for yields, use it in DeFi for lending, or even in gaming and tokenization (turning real-world assets into digital tokens on the blockchain). Standard Chartered reports that corporates are accumulating ETH faster than Bitcoin, possibly because of these extra perks. Plus, with Ethereum’s upgrades like the Dencun update in the past, transaction fees are lower, making it more appealing for businesses.
Price Predictions and Future Outlook
Looking ahead, Standard Chartered is bullish. They see ETH potentially hitting $8,000 by the end of 2026, driven by emerging uses in gaming and tokenization. For 2025, while they previously tempered expectations to $4,000, the treasury accumulation could accelerate that. In a May 2025 report, they even predicted Bitcoin outperforming ETH and Solana by year’s end, but the ETH treasury trend might flip the script.
Here’s a quick list of key predictions from Standard Chartered:
- Corporate ETH holdings could rise from 1% to 10% of total supply.
- This accumulation is happening twice as fast as Bitcoin’s.
- Potential to drive ETH price above $4,000 in the near term.
- Longer-term: $8,000 by 2026 due to ecosystem growth.
These insights come from cross-verified sources, including CoinDesk’s coverage, which emphasizes how treasury companies provide regulated exposure without the limitations of ETFs.
Lila: Tokenization? That sounds fancy. Is that like making digital versions of stuff?
John: Exactly, Lila! Tokenization is converting real assets – like real estate or art – into blockchain tokens. It makes them easier to trade, divide, and own fractionally. Ethereum is a leader here because of its smart contract capabilities. Imagine owning a tiny piece of a famous painting via ETH-based tokens – that’s the future we’re heading toward.
Why This Matters for You
For beginners, this news shows how crypto is going mainstream. In the past, it was mostly retail investors; now, corporations are jumping in, which could stabilize prices and bring more legitimacy. Intermediate readers might appreciate the strategic angle: holding ETH isn’t just about price appreciation but generating yields through staking and DeFi.
However, remember the risks. Crypto is volatile, and while Standard Chartered is optimistic, market conditions can change. Always do your own research and consider diversified portfolios.
As we look ahead, if these predictions hold, Ethereum could become a cornerstone of corporate finance, much like how Bitcoin has been adopted by firms like MicroStrategy in the past.
John’s Personal Reflection
I’ve been covering crypto for years, and this shift toward corporate Ethereum holdings feels like a game-changer. It reminds me of the early Bitcoin days, but with ETH’s utility, the potential for real-world impact is even greater. I’m excited to see how this evolves, as it could bridge traditional finance and blockchain in ways we haven’t fully imagined yet.
Lila: Thanks, John! This makes me want to learn more about staking my own ETH. It’s amazing how companies are treating crypto like a serious asset now.
This article was created using the original article below and verified real-time sources:
- StanChart predicts corporates will control 10% of Ethereum supply over time
- Ethereum Treasury Companies Could Buy 10% of All ETH: Standard Chartered
- Standard Chartered: Ethereum Treasury Firms Could Control 10% of All ETH Supply | Ethereum Price Prediction | CryptoRank.io
- Ether (ETH) Treasury Companies to Eventually Own 10% of the Cryptocurrency’s Supply: Standard Chartered
- Ether Treasury Companies Are ‘Just Getting Started’, Could Ultimately Own 10% Of All ETH: Standard Chartered
- Ether Could Hit $8K by End of 2026: Standard Chartered
- Standard Chartered Cuts Ethereum Price Forecast by 60% for 2025, Citing Increased Competition and Declining Revenue