30.07.2025 02:19
Palo Alto-based 180 Life Sciences, a Nasdaq-listed biopharmaceutical company, is dramatically shifting its focus. Abandoning its biotech roots, it's embarking on an ambitious plan to become a major player in the Ethereum ecosystem. This involves a substantial $425 million private placement, aiming to transform the company into "ETHZilla," a corporate entity boasting one of the largest Ethereum treasuries globally.
This significant investment round, slated to conclude by August 1st, is spearheaded by a group of prominent crypto investors. Electric Capital, Polychain, and founders from influential DeFi projects such as Lido, Eigenlayer, and Compound are leading the charge. The funds raised will be used to acquire a substantial amount of Ethereum (ETH), fundamentally reshaping the company's financial holdings and its very identity. This bold move represents a complete departure from its previous activities in anti-inflammatory drug research.
ETHZilla’s strategy transcends simple ETH accumulation, a contrast to many firms focusing solely on Bitcoin as a store of value. Instead, it actively seeks to leverage Ethereum's decentralized finance (DeFi) capabilities for substantial yield generation. Electric Capital, entrusted with managing ETHZilla's assets, will implement a multifaceted strategy. This includes staking ETH to earn rewards, providing liquidity to various DeFi markets, and engaging in private lending arrangements. This proactive approach aims to significantly exceed the returns achievable through passive holding.
This strategic pivot by 180 Life Sciences, now ETHZilla, aligns with a broader industry trend. Standard Chartered, a major international bank, predicts that corporate Ethereum treasuries could potentially manage up to 10% of the total ETH supply in the future. The company's bold move highlights the increasing recognition of Ethereum's potential not only as a store of value but also as a dynamic and lucrative platform for active participation within the DeFi space. ETHZilla's success will be a significant indicator of this emerging trend.
