Ethereum Foundation urges policymakers to separate decentralized blockchains from controlled networks
A new guide for governments and institutions says Ethereum’s governance, uninterrupted operating history and cited public-sector use cases distinguish it from centralized systems for state and institutional adoption.
The Ethereum Foundation has expanded its policy case to governments and institutions with a non-technical guide published on July 1 by its Global Policy Strategy team, presenting Ethereum as neutral public digital infrastructure. The report says Ethereum has operated without downtime since 2015 and was secured by about $76 billion in staked ETH as of March 2026. It also points to identity projects in Bhutan and Buenos Aires and land-record use in India as examples of public-sector applications. The publication builds on the foundation’s broader argument that policymakers should distinguish decentralized public blockchains from networks controlled by corporations or foundations, with governance design framed as a key factor in judging long-term suitability for state and institutional use.
- governance: The processes and rules that determine how a blockchain network is maintained and changed.
- decentralized public blockchains: Open blockchain networks that are not controlled by a single company, foundation or operator.
- staked ETH: Ether that has been locked in Ethereum’s network to help validate transactions and support its security.