Ether.fi (ETHFI) is a liquid staking protocol built on the Ethereum blockchain, distinguished by its emphasis on user control over staking credentials. As the 49th project launched on Binance Launchpool, ETHFI has attracted significant attention from both retail and institutional investors. With growing interest in decentralized finance (DeFi) and Ethereum-based staking solutions, Ether.fi stands out for its innovative approach to security, yield generation, and community incentives.
This article explores everything you need to know about Ether.fi and its native token ETHFI — from how it works and its tokenomics to price trends, roadmap, and investment potential.
Latest News and Developments for ETHFI
In recent weeks, optimism in the crypto market has fueled a strong rebound in ETHFI’s price. Amid Ethereum’s recovery above $2,700, ETHFI surged over 21%, briefly surpassing $1.50 — marking a two-week high.
As of May 28, ETHFI was trading at $1.38, up more than 9% in 24 hours. While still far below its all-time high of $8.57 set in March 2024, this rally signals renewed bullish momentum. The token has rebounded over 130% from its April 7, 2025 low of $0.40.
One key driver behind the recovery is Ether.fi Foundation’s buyback program. On May 24, 2025, the foundation announced the repurchase of 206,000 ETHFI tokens using 105 ETH (worth approximately $267,000). These buybacks are funded by withdrawal fees and occur weekly and monthly, with repurchased tokens redistributed to stakers.
These strategic moves have not only supported the token price but also boosted confidence in the protocol. Total Value Locked (TVL) has rebounded to $6.7 billion, reinforcing Ether.fi’s position as a leading player in liquid staking.
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What Is Ether.fi?
Ether.fi is a non-custodial liquid staking protocol on Ethereum that allows users to stake ETH and receive eETH — a liquid derivative that can be used across DeFi platforms. Unlike traditional staking, where funds are locked, eETH remains tradable and usable while earning staking rewards.
A standout feature of Ether.fi is user ownership of withdrawal keys. This sets it apart from protocols like Lido and Rocket Pool, where control over validator keys may be partially centralized. With Ether.fi, users retain full control of their private keys, reducing counterparty risk and enhancing security.
Additionally, eETH holders benefit from re-staking rewards via EigenLayer integration, allowing them to earn additional yields without extra actions. This dual-income mechanism makes Ether.fi particularly attractive in the evolving restaking ecosystem.
Backed by major investors including North Island Ventures, Chapter One, Node Capital, and Arthur Hayes (co-founder of BitMEX), Ether.fi raised $5.3 million in February 2023. According to DeFiLlama, it currently leads the liquid staking sector with a TVL of $2.3 billion — ahead of competitors like Puffer Finance.
How Does Ether.fi Work?
Most liquid staking protocols require users to deposit ETH and trust node operators who generate and hold validator credentials. While marketed as non-custodial, this often introduces semi-custodial risks due to limited user control.
Ether.fi solves this by giving users full custody of their withdrawal keys, ensuring true decentralization and minimizing exposure to malicious or compromised operators.
When a user stakes through Ether.fi:
- A unique NFT is created for each validator.
- This NFT represents ownership and control over the staked 32 ETH.
- Metadata stored in the NFT includes client type, location, operator info, and active node services.
These NFTs power a programmable layer for staking infrastructure, enabling advanced use cases — especially when combined with EigenLayer’s activeness proofs and node service marketplace.
The system also supports liquidity pools for users with less than 32 ETH or those preferring passive participation. These pools mint eETH tokens backed by pooled stake positions.
Ether.fi Loyalty Program
Beyond technical innovation, Ether.fi incentivizes long-term engagement through a robust loyalty program.
The platform offers an attractive staking APR of 3.92%, making it competitive among Ethereum validators. But what truly differentiates it is its points-based reward system:
- Over 25.8 billion ether.fi loyalty points have been distributed.
- Users earn points based on staking duration and activity.
- These points may unlock future governance rights or exclusive benefits.
Moreover, Ether.fi integrates with EigenLayer, having allocated 368 million EigenLayer points to participants. This strengthens cross-protocol alignment and rewards early adopters in the restaking economy.
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ETHFI Tokenomics
The ETHFI token serves as the governance and utility token for the Ether.fi ecosystem.
Key metrics:
- Total supply: 1 billion ETHFI
- Initial circulating supply: 115.2 million (11.5%)
- Circulating supply (as of mid-2025): ~322.7 million
Of the total supply:
- 2% (20 million ETHFI) was distributed to Binance Launchpool participants.
- Rewards were split: 80% to BNB stakers, 20% to FDUSD stakers.
Note: Your actual earnings depend on your share of the respective pool — not just the allocation ratio.
ETHFI enables holders to participate in protocol governance, vote on upgrades, and influence future development directions.
Staking and Trading ETHFI on Binance
Binance announced Ether.fi as its 49th Launchpool project on March 12, allowing users to farm ETHFI by staking BNB or FDUSD starting March 14, 2024. The staking period ended on March 17, but participants retained their earned tokens.
Shortly after, Binance listed ETHFI for spot trading on March 18, launching multiple pairs:
- ETHFI/BTC
- ETHFI/USDT
- ETHFI/BNB
- ETHFI/FDUSD
- ETHFI/TRY
This early exchange support significantly boosted liquidity and accessibility for global traders.
ETHFI Price Movement Analysis
ETHFI began trading on March 18 and quickly reached an intramonth high of $8.57 before correcting sharply.
As of July 2, 2025:
- Price: $0.8942 (-7.41% in 24h)
- Market cap: Not publicly listed yet
- 24h trading volume: $147.2M
- All-time high: $8.6213
- All-time low: $0.4018
- Circulating supply: 322,704,589 ETHFI
- Max supply: 1,000,000,000 ETHFI
Despite recent volatility, the rebound from sub-$0.40 levels suggests strong underlying demand and market resilience.
Ether.fi Roadmap
Ether.fi’s development is structured into three phases:
1. Delegated Staking
Users commit 32+ ETH to launch validators. Features include:
- Auction-based node operator selection
- Withdrawal vaults for secure key management
- T-NFTs (Transferable NFTs) and B-NFTs (Bound NFTs) for flexible ownership models
2. Liquidity Pools & eETH
Enables fractional staking via pooled deposits:
- Users receive eETH tokens
- Enhanced liquidity and DeFi integrations
- Automated restaking rewards via EigenLayer
3. Node Services Marketplace
An emerging phase focused on expanding utility:
- NFTs register node services (e.g., data availability layers)
- New revenue streams for operators
- Incentivized ecosystem growth
For full technical details, refer to the Ether.fi Whitepaper.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Is ETHFI a good investment?
A: ETHFI shows strong fundamentals with high TVL, institutional backing, and innovative technology. However, like all crypto assets, it carries volatility risk. Investors should assess their risk tolerance and conduct independent research before investing.
Q: Can ETHFI reach $10?
A: Reaching $10 would require a market cap of $10 billion — ambitious but possible if Ether.fi captures significant share in the growing restaking economy. Sustained adoption, ecosystem expansion, and bullish macro conditions would be necessary drivers.
Q: How does eETH generate extra rewards?
A: Through integration with EigenLayer, eETH is re-staked to secure additional networks (AVSs), earning extra yield automatically without user action.
Q: Where can I buy ETHFI?
A: ETHFI is listed on major exchanges including Binance and OKX. You can trade it against USDT, BTC, BNB, and other pairs.
Q: What makes Ether.fi different from Lido or Rocket Pool?
A: Ether.fi gives users full control over withdrawal keys and supports re-staking via EigenLayer. It also introduces NFT-based validator management and a node services marketplace — features not fully available in competing protocols.
Q: Does staking ETHFI earn rewards?
A: Currently, staking ETHFI itself isn’t supported widely. Instead, users earn by staking ETH to get eETH or participating in liquidity programs.
Price Predictions for ETHFI
Expert forecasts vary widely due to market uncertainty:
- WalletInvestor: Expects $3.55 by end of year; long-term forecast suggests drop to $0.614 by late 2025.
- PricePrediction.net: Projects $1.70 short-term; sees potential rise to $5.22 in 2025.
- TradingBeast: More optimistic — predicts up to $4.98 by December.
- CoinCodex: Forecasts range between $3.79 (low) and $17.91 (high) in 2025.
While predictions offer insight, actual prices will depend on broader crypto trends, Ethereum upgrades, adoption rates, and macroeconomic factors.
How to Buy ETHFI
To purchase ETHFI:
- Choose a supported exchange (e.g., Binance or OKX).
- Complete registration and KYC verification.
- Deposit funds (USDT, BTC, or fiat).
- Search for “ETHFI” and select your preferred trading pair.
- Place a market or limit order based on your strategy.
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For beginners:
- Use limit orders to control entry prices.
- Enable stop-loss and take-profit settings.
- Start with lower leverage if trading futures.
- Consider using demo accounts to practice first.
Conclusion
Ether.fi distinguishes itself in the crowded liquid staking space by prioritizing user sovereignty, security, and innovative yield mechanisms. Its combination of withdrawal key control, EigenLayer integration, NFT-based validator tracking, and strong early adoption positions it well for long-term growth.
With over $6.7 billion TVL and active buybacks supporting the token price, Ether.fi has demonstrated resilience even during volatile markets. While future performance depends on execution and ecosystem expansion, the foundation appears solid.
For investors interested in next-generation staking protocols that blend DeFi innovation with real utility, ETHFI represents a compelling opportunity worth monitoring closely.
Core Keywords: Ether.fi, ETHFI, liquid staking, Ethereum, eETH, EigenLayer, staking rewards, restaking