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Ether.fi adds tokenized stocks, metals, fiat deposits and weekly ETHFI buybacks, expanding its DeFi platform for 500k users and $2 bn annual volume.
Ether.fi announced that its app now supports tokenized stock and metal trading, portfolio‑backed loans and worldwide fiat deposits, while also rolling out automated weekly buybacks of its governance token ETHFI and a 3 % card‑purchase cashback program【1】. The expansion targets both existing DeFi users and newcomers seeking bank‑like services, positioning Ether.fi as a broader alternative to traditional finance.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Users | 500,000+ members |
| Annual transaction run rate | $2 billion |
| ETHFI max supply | 998,535,999 tokens (≈1 billion) |
| New features | Tokenized stocks/metals, fiat accounts, ETHFI buybacks, 3 % cashback |
The platform’s “self‑custodial” app now lets users trade tokenized equities and precious metals (excluding U.S. residents) and borrow against their entire portfolio without selling assets, using Aave on Optimism for lending and borrowing【1】. Fiat accounts supporting more than 30 currencies enable deposits and withdrawals worldwide, though withdrawal speed varies by verification status. These additions aim to attract users who have not yet adopted DeFi, according to founder Mike Silagadze【1】.
ETHFI is an ERC‑20 governance token distinct from Ether.fi’s liquid‑staking products (eETH, weETH). It does not represent a claim on staked ETH; instead, its value depends on the protocol’s relevance, governance decisions, and revenue‑linked buybacks【2】. The buyback program allocates 100 % of eETH withdrawal fees to weekly ETHFI repurchases, which are then distributed to holders who stake ETHFI (sETHFI)【2】. A second, less defined stream draws from broader protocol revenue on a monthly cadence, though the exact share is unspecified【2】. Staking ETHFI therefore offers two potential returns: price appreciation and additional ETHFI from buybacks, whereas non‑staked holders receive only market exposure.
ETHFI’s capped supply sits just under one billion tokens, with the maximum supply listed as 998,535,999 on Etherscan and commonly rounded to one billion for simplicity【2】. This fixed supply contrasts with the inflationary nature of many staking receipt tokens, reinforcing ETHFI’s role as a governance‑focused asset rather than a direct yield‑bearing instrument.
Ether.fi’s move to blend tokenized real‑world assets, fiat services and a revenue‑backed governance token signals a push to replicate traditional banking functions within DeFi, but its success hinges on user adoption, regulatory clearance and the sustainability of its buyback engine.
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AI-assisted synthesis by the TrendWatcher Editorial Desk · sourced from 2 outlets · Aug 14, 2026 · How we report
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