ETHZilla Announces Eurus Aero Token I – a Jet‑Engine‑Backed Aviation Token
Nasdaq‑listed ETHZilla (NASDAQ: ETHZ) launched a tokenized asset that gives investors exposure to lease payments from two commercial jet engines. The new token, Eurus Aero Token I, is issued on Ethereum layer‑2 networks and distributed through Liquidityio.
The offering
- Underlying asset – Two commercial jet engines currently in operation for a major U.S. airline (the carrier is not disclosed in the filing). ETHZilla purchased the engines for roughly $12.2 million.
- Token structure – Each Eurus Aero Token I is priced at $100, with a minimum purchase of 10 tokens. The tokens are minted on an Ethereum layer‑2 solution and can be bought and sold on the Liquidityio platform.
- Revenue stream – Lease agreements run through 2027 and 2028. Monthly lease payments are collected from the airline and passed directly to token holders. The company does not use debt financing to amplify returns.
- Target return – ETHZilla projects an annualized return of about 16.5 % over the life of the leases.
Market context
The launch arrives amid a broader surge in tokenized real‑world assets (RWAs). Data from RWA.xyz show that the total value of distributed RWA tokens has climbed to $23.87 billion, up nearly 11 % in the past month, while the on‑chain representation of those assets rose to $21.41 billion. The number of RWA token holders also jumped 34 % month‑over‑month, reaching 835,179 participants.
Company background
ETHZilla, formerly known as 180 Life Sciences, rebranded in August 2025 to focus on building an Ethereum‑based treasury and launching decentralized finance (DeFi) products. The firm now holds 69,802 ETH, valued at roughly $148.4 million according to CoinGecko. ETHZilla’s stated mission is to “democratize access to institutional‑grade investments,” a goal it says is realized by tokenizing assets—such as jet engines—that have traditionally been limited to large institutions and private equity funds.
CEO McAndrew Rudisill emphasized that the token is meant for accredited investors and that the jet‑engine leasing model offers a “transparent, income‑oriented alternative to traditional private aerospace leasing structures.” He also highlighted upcoming projects, including the tokenization of a $4.7 million portfolio of manufactured‑home loans, as well as exploratory plans for auto loans, commercial real estate, and other high‑yield asset classes.
Analysis
Why jet‑engine leasing matters
- High‑yield, low‑correlation asset – Aviation leasing historically delivers stable cash flows that are loosely correlated with traditional equity markets. Tokenizing this exposure provides DeFi participants with a novel source of yield.
- Liquidity boost – By issuing the asset on Ethereum L2, ETHZilla aims to lower entry barriers and create secondary‑market liquidity that is unavailable in conventional private‑placement leases.
- Regulatory posture – Limiting the offering to accredited investors and avoiding debt financing reduces regulatory risk, but the product still sits at the intersection of securities law and emerging token standards, a space that regulators continue to scrutinize.
Risks to consider
- Aircraft‑type and airline performance risk – While the airline is described as “one of the largest and most profitable,” any operational or financial distress could affect lease payments.
- Technology risk – The token relies on the security and scalability of the underlying Ethereum L2 solution; any network disruption could affect payment distribution.
- Liquidity risk – Although listed on Liquidityio, secondary‑market depth may be limited, especially in volatile crypto markets.
Potential impact on the RWA space
The successful issuance of an aviation‑leasing token could encourage other firms to explore niche, high‑margin assets that have traditionally been opaque. With RWAs approaching a $24 billion market cap and investor participation rising, such use cases may accelerate the convergence between traditional finance and DeFi.
Key takeaways
- New token – Eurus Aero Token I gives accredited investors exposure to lease payments from two commercial jet engines, targeting a 16.5 % annual return through 2027‑2028.
- Token economics – Priced at $100 per token with a 10‑token minimum; issued on Ethereum L2 and distributed via Liquidityio.
- Strategic fit – The product aligns with ETHZilla’s broader strategy to democratize access to institutional‑grade RWAs while maintaining a conservative, debt‑free balance sheet.
- Market momentum – The launch reflects a broader uptick in RWA tokenization, with total distributed asset value up 11 % and holder counts up 34 % month‑over‑month.
- Risks – Investors face aircraft‑specific performance risk, blockchain‑infrastructure risk, and limited secondary‑market liquidity.
- Future outlook – ETHZilla plans to tokenise manufactured‑home loans and is evaluating additional asset classes such as auto loans and commercial real‑estate, signaling an expanding pipeline of RWA products.
The Eurus Aero Token I represents one of the more tangible, income‑focused RWA offerings in the DeFi ecosystem to date. Its performance and market reception will likely serve as a barometer for how quickly broader institutional‑grade assets can be brought onto blockchain platforms.
Source: https://thedefiant.io/news/defi/ethzilla-launches-aviation-token-backed-by-jet-engines
