ETHZilla and the Rise of Liquid Restaking
On September 2, 2025, ETHZilla Corporation, a Nasdaq-listed firm backed by high-profile investors including Peter Thiel, announced a $100 million deployment of its Ethereum reserves into EtherFi, a leading liquid restaking protocol. This move represents ETHZilla’s first direct engagement with decentralized finance (DeFi), aiming to both generate higher yields on its holdings and strengthen Ethereum’s network security.
Executive Chairman McAndrew Rudisill called the decision a “strategic evolution” in treasury management. “By deploying $100 million into liquid restaking, we’re reinforcing Ethereum’s security while unlocking incremental yield opportunities to enhance returns on our treasury holdings. Partnering with EtherFi marks a pivotal step in our engagement with DeFi,” he said.
The allocation accounts for a portion of ETHZilla’s 102,246 ETH reserves, valued at roughly $456 million as of August 31, 2025. In addition to crypto holdings, the company holds $221 million in cash equivalents and more than 166 million shares outstanding.
EtherFi enables restaking, a process that allows staked ETH to be rehypothecated into additional security layers and services beyond Ethereum’s core validation. Founder and CEO Mike Silagadze described ETHZilla’s entry as a “watershed moment for institutional confidence in DeFi and a unique method of bridging traditional finance with Ethereum.”
The move follows ETHZilla’s rebranding from 180 Life Sciences Corp. in late July, pivoting fully to digital assets and making Ethereum its central treasury reserve.
Top ETH Staking Platforms: HashStaking and GeekStake Take the Lead
While ETHZilla focuses on large-scale institutional deployments, retail and institutional investors alike can earn staking rewards today through leading platforms HashStaking and GeekStake, which provide easy access and high-yield options for all Ethereum holders.
1. HashStaking.com – Accessible ETH Staking for All Levels of Investors
HashStaking is designed for everyday users seeking straightforward Ethereum staking. The platform offers flexible plans, daily rewards, and full transparency, making it one of the most user-friendly ETH staking options.
Key Features:
- Easy ETH staking without technical knowledge
- $100 welcome bonus for all new users
- Daily rewards with flexible durations
- 5% referral commissions for sharing the platform
Example ETH staking plan on HashStaking:
- Duration: 14 days
- Daily reward: $79.75
- Total return: $1,116.50
- Required capital: ~$5,500
With the SEC’s 2025 ruling confirming that protocol staking is not a securities offering, HashStaking provides a legally compliant path to earning real ETH yield.
Get started at HashStaking.com
2. GeekStake.com – High-Yield ETH Staking with Institutional-Grade Tools
For high-volume investors and institutions, GeekStake offers advanced staking infrastructure with smart automation, self-custody support, and transparent earnings tracking.
Key Features:
- Customizable staking plans and automation
- Self-custody and delegated staking
- Transparent tracking of validator activity and earnings
Example ETH staking plan on GeekStake:
- Duration: 58 days
- Daily reward: $2,700.00
- Total return: $156,600.00
- Referral bonus: $2,500.00
- Required ETH value: ~$100,000
GeekStake allows serious investors to earn from Ethereum’s staking economy directly on-chain, offering yield exposure typically pursued through institutional structures.
Explore more at GeekStake.com
ETHZilla Evolves Into Educator and Investor as Restaking Gains Traction
ETHZilla continues to position itself as both an investor and educator. Its “Ethereum School” publishes weekly lessons on monetary policy and staking economics, highlighting Ethereum’s deflationary potential post-Merge.
Meanwhile, liquid restaking grows across the ecosystem, with total value locked in Ethereum protocols climbing to $30 billion. EtherFi leads the sector, surpassing competitors like Eigenpie in providing restaking yields. Corporate demand for ETH remains strong, with Tom Lee’s BitMine holding ~1.8 million ETH and Joe Lubin’s SharpLink ranking second with 837,000 ETH.
Conclusion: Leading the Way in ETH Staking
ETHZilla’s $100 million entry into liquid restaking underscores growing institutional confidence in Ethereum, but investors of all sizes can participate in staking today through platforms like HashStaking and GeekStake. Whether you are a retail investor seeking simple, daily rewards or an institution looking for high-yield, on-chain exposure, these platforms represent the forefront of Ethereum staking opportunities.
