Ethereum Foundation Releases Policy Guide Urging Governments to Distinguish Decentralized Blockchains from Corporate Networks

Jul 1, 2026

On July 1, 2026, the Ethereum Foundation released a policy guide urging governments to distinguish decentralized public blockchains from corporate-controlled networks. The report positions Ethereum as neutral digital public infrastructure suitable for sovereign systems like identity and land registries, citing its uninterrupted uptime since 2015 and $76 billion in staked security as of March 2026.

Ethereum Foundation policy guide

▪The Ethereum Foundation's policy guide is a non-technical report aimed at policymakers and institutional decision-makers evaluating blockchain infrastructure.
▪The Ethereum Foundation's Global Policy Strategy team published a policy guide titled 'Ethereum for Governments and Institutions' on July 1, 2026.

Decentralized versus corporate blockchains

▪The Ethereum Foundation argued that governance structures determine which blockchain platforms are suitable for long-term public sector use.
▪The Ethereum Foundation urged policymakers to distinguish between decentralized public blockchains and networks controlled by corporations or foundations.

Ethereum validator network security

▪The Ethereum network has maintained uninterrupted uptime since launching in 2015.
▪The Ethereum network was secured by approximately $76 billion worth of staked Ether as of March 2026.

Government blockchain adoption cases

▪Governments are experimenting with Ethereum-based technology, including decentralized identity initiatives in Bhutan and Buenos Aires.
▪Governments are experimenting with Ethereum-based technology, including land registry projects in India.

Digital public infrastructure positioning

▪The Ethereum Foundation argued that centralized digital services create operational and governance risks, acting as single points of failure.
▪The Ethereum Foundation framed Ethereum as digital public infrastructure rather than simply a financial network.