Founders Fund’s exit from ETHZilla highlights volatility, balance sheet strain and the challenges facing public Ether treasury strategies.
Founders Fund fully exited ETHZilla after previously holding a 7.5% stake. SEC filings show that Peter Thiel-linked entities had reduced their ownership to zero by the end of 2025, signaling a decisive retreat from an Ether-focused public treasury strategy.
ETHZilla’s pivot from biotech to an Ether treasury strategy was aggressive. After raising $425 million and later seeking $350 million through convertible bonds, the company accumulated over 100,000 ETH, positioning itself as a leveraged equity proxy for Ether exposure.
Debt-driven models can force crypto sales at unfavorable times. ETHZilla’s sale of 24,291 ETH in December 2025 to meet debt obligations highlighted a structural weakness. Leverage combined with crypto volatility can trigger asset liquidation during downturns.
