- Joe Lubin reveals talks with sovereign wealth funds and banks to build Ethereum-based infrastructure at layer-1 and layer-2 levels.
- Consensys-backed SharpLink secures $425M to create an ETH treasury using staking and DeFi, signaling a shift toward Ethereum utility.
- Ethereum could outpace Bitcoin as institutional interest grows, positioning ETH as the core asset in a trust-driven financial system.
Ethereum may soon attract serious institutional momentum. Joe Lubin, Ethereum co-founder and Consensys CEO, confirmed that his firm is engaging with major sovereign wealth funds and banks from a “very big” country. These talks involve potential infrastructure development on Ethereum’s layer-1 and custom layer-2 solutions. Hence, the possibility of a large nation building within Ethereum’s ecosystem could mark a turning point for ETH adoption.
Sovereign entities have previously leaned toward Bitcoin for their treasuries. However, ETH has often been excluded from such strategic allocations. Now, that narrative is shifting. Lubin suggested that Ethereum could soon drive a new decentralized financial supercycle. He described global finance as structurally fatigued, citing inequality and systemic overreach. Consequently, Lubin believes Ethereum offers the framework for a fairer and more resilient financial infrastructure.
Besides, recent moves by Consensys suggest a pivot toward ETH as a treasury-grade asset. Last week, the firm led a $425 million investment into SharpLink Gaming. That capital will fund a newly formed Ethereum treasury. Unlike MicroStrategy’s Bitcoin-focused model, SharpLink aims to generate yield through staking, restaking, and DeFi strategies. Lubin now chairs the board at SharpLink, underlining his confidence in Ethereum’s financial utility.
Middle Child to Market Leader?
Despite recent price underperformance, Lubin remains bullish on Ethereum. He acknowledged Ethereum as the “middle child” between Bitcoin and Solana. However, he stressed that Ethereum’s future-focused design gives it a long-term advantage. Moreover, he noted that Ethereum has been building foundational infrastructure, even as price action lagged.
Lubin emphasized that Ether serves as more than just a cryptocurrency. He compared it to electricity, oil, and even the world’s most valuable trust commodity. Consequently, he argued that ETH may eventually surpass Bitcoin in perceived value and utility. That transition would not be based on hype but on Ethereum’s role in a new trust-driven financial paradigm.
Institutional Interest Could Spur ETH Demand
If a nation-state builds on Ethereum, investment in ETH becomes increasingly plausible. Large-scale infrastructure needs native assets for utility and alignment. Additionally, ETH’s productive use case—through staking and DeFi—offers clear value propositions. As institutions consider their future in Web3, Ethereum’s narrative gains momentum. With sovereigns now knocking, Ethereum could soon become the financial engine powering a global decentralized shift.
