The Ethereum Foundation published a policy guide on July 1, positioning Ethereum as neutral public infrastructure for governments and institutions. The document, prepared by the foundation's Global Policy Strategy Team, frames Ethereum as a decentralized alternative to centralized digital systems that many governments currently rely on for payments, identity verification, and record-keeping. The guide cites an OpenZeppelin analysis showing approximately $76 billion in staked ETH securing the Ethereum network as of March 2026, with attack costs estimated at $50.7 billion to finalize a fraudulent transaction.
Ethereum Foundation Cites $76 Billion in Staked ETH Security Data
The guide references an OpenZeppelin analysis showing approximately $76 billion in staked ETH securing the Ethereum network as of March 2026. It would cost roughly $50.7 billion to finalize a fraudulent transaction on the network, excluding automatic slashing penalties, according to a Cryptopolitan report. The foundation contrasts Ethereum's continuous uptime since its 2015 launch with that of other layer-1 blockchains reviewed in the OpenZeppelin analysis. Binance Smart Chain, XRP Ledger, Tron, Solana, and Canton each experienced between one and seven outages and had comparatively few economic deterrents to attack, the report found. Ethereum's validator set is globally distributed across nations and legal systems, with no single country controlling a majority share.
"Ethereum is a decentralized ecosystem that functions through the activity of a large, diverse, and global group of stakeholders," the guide stated. "That breadth of participation is one of the things that makes Ethereum so secure, which in turn is what makes it the top choice for institutions, enterprises, and the public sector."
The guide cites independent security audits and uptime data while noting that one unnamed layer-1 blockchain had an organization controlling about 42% of the token supply.
Argentina, Bhutan, India Deploy Ethereum-Based Government Systems
The guide highlights sovereign governments already using Ethereum-based solutions. Argentina and Bhutan have built decentralized identity systems on the network. Indian authorities are testing Ethereum-based land registries to reduce property fraud in title transfers. The foundation encourages lawmakers to define a clear distinction between public blockchains open to anyone and those controlled by a single organization or foundation.
Ethereum Foundation Cuts 20% of Workforce, Launches Institutional Cluster
The policy guide arrives alongside a structural overhaul at the Ethereum Foundation. The organization cut roughly 20% of its workforce and created an "institutional layer" cluster focused specifically on government and enterprise engagement. A separate nonprofit, Ethereum Institutional, also launched this week with backing from key ecosystem participants.
FAQ
What did the Ethereum Foundation publish on July 1?
The Ethereum Foundation published a policy guide on July 1, positioning Ethereum as neutral public infrastructure for governments and institutions. The document was prepared by the foundation's Global Policy Strategy Team.
How much staked ETH secures the Ethereum network according to the guide?
The guide cites an OpenZeppelin analysis showing approximately $76 billion in staked ETH securing the Ethereum network as of March 2026. It would cost roughly $50.7 billion to finalize a fraudulent transaction on the network, excluding automatic slashing penalties.
Which governments are using Ethereum-based solutions?
Argentina and Bhutan have built decentralized identity systems on Ethereum. Indian authorities are testing Ethereum-based land registries to reduce property fraud in title transfers.
