Galaxy Digital, the publicly traded crypto firm led by Michael Novogratz, has acquired substantially all the assets of blockchain node operator CryptoManufaktur LLC (CMF). This acquisition marks a significant expansion of Galaxy’s role in Ethereum staking, reinforcing its commitment to blockchain infrastructure.
The deal, announced in a press release exclusive to CoinDesk, includes the acquisition of CMF’s operations, engineering teams, and associated assets. Although financial terms were not disclosed, a Galaxy spokesperson revealed that the acquisition would increase the company’s serviced assets under stake by approximately 43%.
CMF’s founder Thorsten Behrens, along with his three-person engineering team, will join Galaxy’s blockchain infrastructure division. This team provides staking and blockchain validator services to qualified investors, protocols, and digital-asset platforms.
Originally launched in 2020 to build infrastructure for the blockchain oracle project Chainlink, CMF later expanded into automated proof-of-stake node deployment on Ethereum. The acquisition brings about $1 billion in Ethereum assets under stake, raising Galaxy’s total to $3.3 billion.
Michael Novogratz, a prominent figure in the crypto space and former executive at Goldman Sachs and Fortress Investment Group, leads Galaxy Digital. The firm has been diversifying its operations, adding blockchain infrastructure to its primary business lines of crypto trading and investment management.
“Galaxy is rapidly expanding its blockchain infrastructure and staking capabilities to provide enterprise-grade technical expertise and support to strategic corners of the digital-asset ecosystem,” said Zane Glauber, head of Galaxy’s blockchain infrastructure team, in the press release. “Our acquisition of CMF is an important milestone that significantly enhances our position as a leading technical partner to protocols and builders.”
This acquisition is part of Galaxy’s broader effort to deepen its involvement in the blockchain infrastructure business, positioning the company as a key player in the growing Ethereum staking market.
