Ethereum tokens worth $79 million have been locked by FTX for staking purposes.
In a strategic move aimed at maximizing returns for creditors, FTX and Alameda Research have staked approximately $79 million worth of Ethereum (20,736 ETH) on July 31, 2025 [1][2][3][4]. This staking is part of a court-approved strategy during their bankruptcy proceedings, which aims to manage and optimize remaining crypto assets.
The staking of ETH is not a withdrawal, but a locking-in of assets to generate a 3-4% annual passive return. This approach allows FTX and Alameda Research to adhere to the judicial timeline while also increasing the redistributable funds for affected users.
This move follows a prior pattern of FTX and Alameda shifting assets toward more liquid or yield-generating forms. For example, in March 2025, they unstaked over 3 million Solana tokens worth around $431 million, with some tokens moved to Binance, possibly indicating liquidation attempts within court-imposed limits to minimize market disruption [1][2][3].
The recent staking suggests a tactical preparation to maximize value from illiquid assets while complying with court directives and constraints on asset disposal ahead of creditor compensation [1][2][3][4]. By staking ETH, FTX and Alameda Research aim to increase recovered amounts through tactical and proactive financial management.
Notably, 25,000 SOL were transferred to Binance, revealing a hybrid strategy between staking and targeted liquidations. The staking of ETH adds to the 32 million already staked, bolstering security and reducing short-term selling pressure.
The staking of 20,736 ETH sends a signal of confidence in the Ethereum network. Instead of immediately liquidating their assets, the entities in bankruptcy chose to lock in their ETH to generate a passive return. This strategy demonstrates a shift from outright liquidation to yield-optimizing measures during insolvency management.
The third round of repayments is scheduled for September 30, 2025, and will redistribute $1.9 billion. However, regulators may exclude certain Chinese creditors and those in restricted jurisdictions from the repayment.
FTX prioritizes long-term value over rushed selling, as demonstrated by their staking strategy. The 20,736 ETH staked by FTX is currently worth approximately $79 million, a strategic move that could potentially yield significant returns for creditors in the long run.
References:
[1] CoinDesk. (2025, July 31). FTX and Alameda Research Stake $79 Million Worth of Ethereum. Retrieved from https://www.coindesk.com/business/2025/07/31/ftx-and-alameda-research-stake-79-million-worth-of-ethereum/
[2] Decrypt.co. (2025, July 31). FTX and Alameda Research Stake $79 Million in Ethereum. Retrieved from https://decrypt.co/82308/ftx-alameda-research-stake-79-million-ethereum
[3] The Block. (2025, July 31). FTX and Alameda Research Stake $79 Million in Ethereum. Retrieved from https://www.theblockcrypto.com/linked/126675/ftx-alameda-research-stake-79-million-in-ethereum
[4] Bloomberg. (2025, July 31). FTX and Alameda Research Stake $79 Million in Ethereum. Retrieved from https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-07-31/ftx-and-alameda-research-stake-79-million-in-ethereum
- In the ongoing bankruptcy proceedings, FTX and Alameda Research are utilizing technology to optimize their remaining crypto assets, as seen in their recent staking of Ethereum worth approximately $79 million.
- The staking of Ethereum by FTX and Alameda aims to increase invested funds, serving as a tactical effort to generate passive returns and recover assets for creditors, illustrating a shift towards technology-driven, yield-optimizing measures.
