Table of Contents
Ethereum ETFs Outshine Bitcoin as Digital Assets Surge
In a remarkable turn of events, US Ethereum exchange-traded funds (ETFs) have demonstrated significant momentum this week, recording net inflows exceeding USD 1 billion (AUD 1.5 billion) on Monday alone. This surge has continued into Tuesday, with an additional USD 523.9 million (AUD 802 million) in inflows. In contrast, Bitcoin ETFs lagged considerably, attracting only USD 180 million (AUD 272.6 million) on Monday and a mere USD 65.9 million (AUD 100.9 million) on Tuesday.
Price Performance of Ethereum vs Bitcoin
Ethereum has posted a notable increase of 8% over the past day and an impressive 30% over the past week, trading at USD 4,673 (AUD 7,154). Meanwhile, Bitcoin’s performance has been relatively subdued, showing modest gains of 0.2% daily and 5% weekly, currently valued at USD 119,329 (AUD 182,701).
Dominance of Crypto-Related ETFs
The trend is underscored by the emergence of digital assets as a dominant force in the ETF landscape, with half of the top 20 US ETFs by inflows this year being related to cryptocurrencies. Analyst Nate Geraci noted that among over 1,300 ETFs launched this year, crypto products are at the forefront, with the top four all pertaining to digital assets.
Leading the pack is the iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT), which has amassed USD 57.4 billion (AUD 87.9 billion) in inflows. It is followed by Fidelity’s Wise Origin Bitcoin Fund (FBTC) at USD 12.1 billion (AUD 18.5 billion), iShares Ethereum Trust (ETHA) at USD 9.6 billion (AUD 14.7 billion), and YieldMax MSTR Option Income Strategy ETF (MSTY) at USD 7.2 billion (AUD 11.0 billion).
Norway’s Increased Bitcoin Stake
In parallel with the ETF successes, Norway’s sovereign wealth fund has augmented its Bitcoin holdings to 7,161 BTC, as reported by K33 Research. This raises its indirect exposure to Bitcoin through investments in key companies such as MicroStrategy, Marathon Digital, Block, and Coinbase, reflecting a growing trend of institutional investment into cryptocurrencies.
The wealth fund’s increasing stake emphasizes Bitcoin’s potential as a strategic asset, bolstering its position in diversified portfolios—whether intentional or not.
Conclusion
The recent surge in both Ethereum’s value and the popularity of crypto-related ETFs signals a promising trajectory for digital assets in the financial landscape. With institutional investments deepening, particularly from significant entities like Norway’s sovereign wealth fund, the crypto market appears to be on the path to greater mainstream acceptance and integration.
