ETHZilla Shifts Focus to Tokenized Aviation Assets with Eurus Aero Token I
Zurich, 13 Feb 2026 – Crypto‑treasury firm ETHZilla announced the launch of its first tradable token backed by real‑world aviation assets. The Eurus Aero Token I, issued through the company’s newly created subsidiary ETHZilla Aerospace, is linked to two commercial jet engines that the firm acquired in January and has leased to a major U.S. airline.
What the token offers
- Backing: Each token represents a fractional ownership stake in the cash‑flow generated by the two leased engines. The lease agreements run through 2028, providing a predictable revenue stream.
- Pricing: Tokens are priced at $100 apiece, with a minimum purchase of ten tokens ($1,000).
- Targeted return: ETHZilla projects an annualized return of roughly 11 % for investors who hold the token until the lease term expires.
- Delivery: The tokens are minted on the Ethereum network, leveraging the ERC‑20 standard and smart‑contract enforcement of the underlying lease payments.
Why the pivot matters
ETHZilla, formerly known as 180 Life Sciences Corp, entered the crypto‑treasury space in mid‑2023, buying and holding large quantities of Ether (ETH) as part of the broader “crypto‑treasury” boom. In a shareholder letter issued in December, chairman and CEO McAndrew Rudisill signaled a strategic shift away from a pure ETH‑holdings model toward an “on‑chain asset tokenisation” business.
“The Eurus Aero Token demonstrates how blockchain can bring institutional‑grade assets to a broader investor base,” Rudisill said. “Fractional ownership of high‑quality, income‑producing assets has traditionally been limited to private‑equity or credit funds. We are democratizing that access.”
The move reflects a cooling of enthusiasm for pure‑play crypto‑treasuries, which saw explosive growth in 2023 but have faced waning demand as market participants seek tangible, yield‑generating opportunities.
Context within the broader RWA landscape
Tokenisation of real‑world assets (RWA) has accelerated in 2026, driven by interest from emerging markets looking to attract foreign capital and by investors seeking yield outside the volatile crypto market. According to RWA.xyz, more than $24 billion worth of RWA are now on‑chain, spread across a diverse set of assets ranging from real‑estate to consumer loans.
ETHZilla’s announcement indicates its intention to expand beyond aviation. The company has hinted at forthcoming token offerings tied to residential mortgages and auto loans, positioning itself as a multi‑asset tokeniser.
Financial backdrop
The firm purchased the two engines for a combined $12.2 million after liquidating a portion of its ETH holdings last year. Earlier SEC filings showed ETHZilla’s ETH balance at roughly 102,000 ETH – valued at about $443 million at the time – but recent market data suggests the stash has contracted to between 70,000 and 94,000 ETH, given current ETH prices hovering around $1,900‑$2,100.
Analyst view
- Diversification upside: By anchoring tokens to lease‑backed aviation assets, ETHZilla reduces exposure to pure crypto price swings, potentially appealing to more risk‑averse investors.
- Regulatory risk: Securities regulators
Source: https://cointelegraph.com/news/ethzilla-tokenized-jet-engines-rwa-ethereum-liquidity-io?utm_source=rss_feed&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=rss_partner_inbound
