Billionaire investor Peter Thiel and the established investment firm Founders Fund terminated the partnership by disposing of all their shares in the ETHZilla project, which had a great impact in the cryptocurrency world. This move, reflected in SEC documents as of the end of 2025, resulted in the company’s 7.5 percent share being reset to zero. This farewell of Thiel, who once brought the share prices to the top, is interpreted as the end of a strategic period in the markets.
The Process from the Peak to the Sharp Turn
While operating in the field of biotechnology under the name 180 Life Sciences, the company rebranded with a radical decision and changed its course to crypto assets by taking the name ETHZilla. Backed by a prominent name like Peter Thiel, the company managed to raise 425 million dollars to create an Ether treasury. This capital inflow and investor confidence excited the investors by pushing the company’s stock market performance above the $174 level in a short time.
However, general weakness in crypto asset markets and fluctuations in Ether prices disrupted ETHZilla’s plans. When the management, which had to fulfill its debt obligations, had to sell its Ether assets, there was a sharp decline in the shares. This shakeup in the company’s financial structure caused Founders Fund, one of the biggest supporters, to reconsider its position.
Thiel’s decision to withdraw is not just a share sale, but also a reaction to the change in vision of the project. The company, which initially promised an Ether-focused treasury management, turned its direction to a more traditional field when forced by market conditions. This situation confirmed that there was no longer any room for ETHZilla in the portfolio of one of the most influential names in the technology world.
A New Route from Jet Engines to Tokenization
With the Founders Fund leaving the scene, ETHZilla made a radical change in its field of activity in order to survive. Putting aside its old strategy based on cryptocurrencies, the management is now focusing on the tokenization of jet engine leases. The goal of moving tangible assets in the aviation industry to digital platforms was determined as the company’s new way out.
This strategic shift represents a shift from high-risk crypto investments to real asset-based financial products. The timing of Peter Thiel’s exit is remarkable as it coincides with the period when the company entered this new and uncertain path. Official data in SEC filings clearly reveals that the billionaire investor will not take part in this new vision as of the last quarter of 2025.
Market analysts argue that a complete exit of names like Thiel could put pressure on retail investors. On the other hand, ETHZilla’s new business model focusing on jet engine leases proves that the company has completely broken away from its past Ether-focused identity. The financial world is now closely watching how this new technological initiative will perform without billionaire support.
