US Ethereum ETFs See Record Inflows After Six-week Outflow Streak

The crypto market has hit a new milestone as BlackRock’s spot Ethereum ETF surpassed $1 billion in value for the first time.

Recent data from SoSoValue shows that after six weeks of continuous negative outflows, US spot Ethereum ETFs have reversed the trend. They recorded their highest weekly inflows since early August. On Friday, these funds drew $58.7 million, contributing to a total weekly inflow of $84.5 million.

Fidelity’s FETH fund led this resurgence, pulling in $42.5 million on Friday. However, BlackRock’s ETHA fund stood out, attracting $11.5 million and surpassing the $1 billion mark in total assets just two months after its launch. This places BlackRock’s fund in a distinguished position alongside Grayscale’s Ethereum Mini Trust, one of the few that have reached such a valuation.

The Ethereum price has been trending steadily upwards since early September. Source: Brave New Coin’s Ethereum Liquid Index (ELX).

This accomplishment holds considerable importance. As Nate Geraci, president of The ETF Store, points out, BlackRock’s fund now ranks among the top 20% of over 3,700 ETFs in the US market. This rapid rise highlights the increasing demand for cryptocurrency investments from both institutional and individual investors.

Ethereum ETFs Gain Momentum as Market Sentiment Shifts

The positive trend wasn’t limited to BlackRock and Fidelity. Several other Ethereum ETFs also experienced notable inflows on Friday, including Bitwise’s ETHW ($5.4 million), Invesco’s QETH ($4.3 million), Grayscale’s ETH ($2.3 million), VanEck’s ETHV ($2.0 million), and 21Shares’ CETH ($1.4 million). While Franklin’s EZET maintained a neutral position with no net inflow or outflow, Grayscale’s ETHE was the outlier, experiencing $10.7 million in outflows.

The resurgence in Ethereum ETFs is particularly noteworthy given the broader context of the cryptocurrency market. The price of Ether has recently outperformed Bitcoin, buoyed by renewed optimism among futures traders following the Federal Reserve’s recent rate cut. Additionally, transaction fees on the Ethereum network have surged, indicating a significant uptick in blockchain activity.

As of September 29th, 2024, Ethereum’s price stood at $2,647, with a market capitalization of $318.2 billion, according to Brave New Coin’s Ethereum Liquid Index. While this valuation is substantial, it still lags considerably behind Bitcoin’s $1.298 trillion market cap. However, the recent developments in the ETF space, coupled with Ethereum’s transition to a Proof-of-Stake consensus mechanism and increasing institutional adoption, suggest that the gap may be narrowing.

Ethereum’s Potential to Challenge Bitcoin’s Dominance

The recent surge in Ethereum ETF inflows has reignited discussions about the cryptocurrency’s potential to challenge Bitcoin’s market dominance. If Ethereum were to match Bitcoin’s current market capitalization of $1.298 trillion, it would translate to an Ether price of approximately $10,785, based on the current circulating supply of 120,366,230 ETH. This theoretical scenario would represent a staggering 309% increase from its current trading price.

While such a monumental shift may seem ambitious, several factors are aligning in Ethereum’s favor. The network’s co-founder, Vitalik Buterin, recently outlined a set of guiding principles aimed at ensuring alignment within the Ethereum ecosystem. These proposals emphasize open-source development, open standards, and a prioritization of decentralization and security. Buterin also stressed the importance of collaboration and alignment toward Ethereum’s goals and the broader global blockchain community.

“My ideal goal here is to see more entities like L2beat emerging to track how well individual projects are meeting the above criteria,” Buterin stated in his blog, underscoring the community’s commitment to transparency and accountability.

Ethereum Eyes Rebound Amid Market Volatility

Despite the recent positive developments, it’s important to note that the cryptocurrency market remains highly volatile. Since late May 2024, Ether’s price has undergone a notable correction, falling from $3,974 to $2,649 – a 33% decline. This bearish trend has led some analysts to project a potential further drop of 18.7% before the asset retests its major support trendline, established on June 22.

However, historical data suggests that such retracements often precede significant rallies. In the past, reversals from this dynamic support level have led to a doubling of the altcoin’s value, indicating that current price levels may represent a key accumulation zone for long-term investors.

The potential for Ethereum to match Bitcoin’s market cap is underpinned by its active expansion in the decentralized finance (DeFi) ecosystem and increasing institutional investment. The recent surge in ETF inflows serves as a testament to growing confidence in Ethereum’s long-term prospects.