Ethereum
Is Ethereum a No-brainer Buy After Bitcoin Halving?
The world’s second-largest cryptocurrency still has some short-term catalysts.
Many cryptocurrencies pulled back from their all-time highs a few years ago as rising interest rates pushed investors toward more conservative holdings. Still, three tailwinds have buoyed the broader market this year: expectations for lower rates, the approval of the first cryptocurrencies, and the adoption of the new standard. Bitcoin (Bitcoin -1.49%) of cash exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in January and the Bitcoin halving in April.
But now that Bitcoin has concluded its long-awaited halving, which reduces Bitcoin mining rewards every four years, there will likely be fewer near-term catalysts for the world’s leading cryptocurrency. So it’s time to turn our attention to Ethereum (ETH -1.71%), the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency, for bigger gains this year?
The differences between Ethereum and Bitcoin
Ether is the native token of the Ethereum blockchain, which was launched in 2015. Ethereum initially used the same proof of work (PoW) mining method like Bitcoin, but it has moved to a more energy-efficient method proof of stake (PoS) in a process called The Merge in 2022. This transition reduced Ethereum’s mining energy consumption by 99.95% and made it deflationary – meaning more coins were minted to be burnedor permanently removed from circulation, than created. PoS blockchains also allow investors to markor lock their tokens for fixed periods to earn interest-like rewards.
The Ethereum blockchain was also developed to support smart contractswhich can be used to create decentralized applications (Decentralized applications), smaller tokens, and other crypto assets. Bitcoin’s blockchain can only be used to mine more coins. This is why Ethereum is generally valued by the expansion of its developer ecosystem, while Bitcoin is often compared to gold or silver.
This fundamental difference led the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to declare that Bitcoin was the only cryptocurrency that could be classified as a commodity. This classification supported its approval of the first Bitcoin spot ETFs.
Still, the SEC was reluctant to label Ethereum and other PoS cryptocurrencies as commodities, saying the staking process made them similar to securities. Nevertheless, the SEC still paved the way for Ethereum’s first spot-priced ETF applications earlier this year.
Tailwinds and Headwinds for Ethereum
Ethereum’s biggest near-term catalyst will be the potential approval of its first spot ETFs. According to Reuters, the SEC has already granted preliminary approvals to at least three of the eight planned spot ETFs, and the latest speculation suggests that most of these funds could begin trading as early as July 23.
Ethereum’s price has already risen by about 50% this year, but the first spot ETFs could push its price even higher. For reference, Bitcoin’s price has risen by more than 40% since its first 11 ETFs were approved on January 10.
Another major catalyst is Ethereum’s recent Dencun upgrade, which increases its speed and reduces the gas costs — essentially a network usage fee — for its Layer 2 blockchain. Stabilizing and falling interest rates could also encourage investors to return to Ethereum and other cryptocurrencies.
Yet Ethereum still faces unpredictable headwinds. The Dencun upgrade has made Ethereum inflationary again, and its supply will continue to increase unless more tokens are burned. It also still processes transactions at a slower rate than newer PoS blockchains such as Solana (GROUND 1.95%) and Cardan (ADA -4.53%) – and these limitations could slow the expansion of its ecosystem.
Ethereum’s planned spot ETFs will also not feature staking mechanisms like its underlying tokens, which may not be a compelling alternative to owning the cryptocurrency directly. Finally, market expectations for lower rates and ETF approval may already have been priced into its current price.
So, is Ethereum a no-brainer buy right now?
Ethereum is trading at around $3,400 at the time of writing, but some bullish investors expect it to make huge gains in the coming years. VanEck’s Matthew Sigel and Patrick Bush expect its price to more than triple to $11,800 by 2030, while Ark Invest’s Cathie Wood says it could be worth a fortune. the whopping sum of $166,000 by 2032.
We should take these optimistic estimates with a grain of salt, but I believe that Ethereum spot ETF approvals and lower interest rates should limit its potential for downside this year. The next planned upgrade to the Ethereum network, Pectra, is expected to further increase its speed and reduce its gas fees to keep pace with Solana and Cardano. Therefore, I think Ethereum is still a good cryptocurrency to accumulate right now — but investors shouldn’t necessarily expect it to take off in the coming months.
Sun Leo has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Bitcoin, Cardano, Ethereum, and Solana. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
Ethereum
QCP sees Ethereum as a safe bet amid Bitcoin stagnation
QCP, a leading trading firm, has shared key observations on the cryptocurrency market. Bitcoin’s struggle to surpass the $70,000 mark has led QCP to predict Selling pressure is still strong, with BTC likely to remain in a tight trading range. In the meantime, Ethereum (ETH) is seen as a more promising investment, with potential gains as ETH could catch up to BTC, thanks to decreasing ETHE outflows.
Read on to find out how you can benefit from it.
Bitcoin’s Struggle: The $70,000 Barrier
For the sixth time in a row, BTC has failed to break above the $70,000 mark. Bitcoin is at $66,048 after a sharp decline. Many investors sold Bitcoin to capitalize on the rising values, which caused a dramatic drop. The market is becoming increasingly skeptical about Bitcoin’s rise, with some investors lowering their expectations.
Despite the continued sell-off from Mt. Gox and the US government, the ETF market remains bullish. There is a notable trend in favor of Ethereum (ETH) ETFs as major bulls have started investing in ETFs, indicating a bullish sentiment for ETH.
QCP Telegram Update UnderlinesIncreased market volatility. The NASDAQ has fallen 10% from its peak, led by a pullback in major technology stocks. Currency carry trades are being unwound and the VIX, a measure of market volatility, has jumped to 19.50.
The main factors driving this uncertainty are Value at Risk (VaR) shocks, high stock market valuations and global risk aversion sentiment. Commodities such as oil and copper have also declined on fears of an economic slowdown.
Additionally, QCP anticipates increased market volatility ahead of the upcoming FOMC meeting, highlighting the importance of the Federal Reserve’s statement and Jerome Powell’s subsequent press conference.
A glimmer of hope
QCP notes a positive development in the crypto space with an inflow of $33.7 million into ETH spot ETFs, which is giving a much-needed boost to ETH prices. However, they anticipate continued outflows of ETHE in the coming weeks. The recent Silk Road BTC moves by the US government have added to the market uncertainty.
QCP suggests a strategic trade involving BTC, which will likely remain in its current range, while ETH offers a more promising opportunity. They propose a trade targeting a $4,000-$4,500 range for ETH, which could generate a 5.5x return by August 30, 2024.
Ethereum
Ethereum Whale Resurfaces After 9 Years, Moves 1,111 ETH Worth $3.7 Million
An Ethereum ICO participant has emerged from nearly a decade of inactivity.
Lookonchain, a smart on-chain money tracking tool, revealed On X, this long-inactive participant recently transferred 1,111 ETH, worth approximately $3.7 million, to a new wallet. This significant move marks a notable on-chain movement, given the participant’s prolonged dormancy.
The Ethereum account in question, identified as 0xE727E67E…B02B5bFC6, received 2,000 ETH on the Genesis block over 9 years ago.
This initial allocation took place during the Ethereum ICOwhere the participant invested in ETH at around $0.31 per coin. The initial investment, worth around $620 at the time, has now grown to millions of dollars.
Recent Transactions and Movements
The inactive account became active again with several notable output transactions. Specifically, the account transferred 1,000 ETH, 100 ETH, 10 ETH, 1 ETH, and 1 more ETH to address 0x7C21775C…2E9dCaE28 within a few minutes. Additionally, it moved 1 ETH to 0x2aa31476…f5aaCE9B.
Additionally, in the latest round of transactions, the address transferred 737,995 ETH, 50 ETH, and 100 ETH, for a total of 887,995 ETH. These recent activities highlight a significant movement of funds, sparking interest and speculation in the crypto community.
Why are whales reactivating?
It is also evident that apart from 0xE727E67E…B02B5bFC6, other previously dormant Ethereum whales are waking up with significant transfers.
In May, another dormant Ethereum whale made headlines when it staked 4,032 ETHvalued at $7.4 million, after more than two years of inactivity. This whale initially acquired 60,000 ETH during the Genesis block of Ethereum’s mainnet in 2015.
At the time, this activity could have been related to Ethereum’s upgrade known as “Shanghai,” which improved the network’s scalability and performance. This whale likely intended to capitalize on the price surge that occurred after the upgrade.
Disclaimer: This content is informational and should not be considered financial advice. The opinions expressed in this article may include the personal opinions of the author and do not reflect the opinion of The Crypto Basic. Readers are encouraged to conduct thorough research before making any investment decisions. The Crypto Basic is not responsible for any financial losses.
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Ethereum
Only Bitcoin and Ethereum are viable for ETFs in the near future
BlackRock: Only Bitcoin and Ethereum Are Viable for ETFs in the Near Future
Bitcoin and Ethereum will be the only cryptocurrencies traded via ETFs in the near future, according to Samara Cohen, chief investment officer of ETFs and indices at BlackRock, the world’s largest asset manager.
In an interview with Bloomberg TV, Cohen explained that while Bitcoin and Ethereum have met BlackRock’s rigorous criteria for exchange-traded funds (ETFs), no other digital asset currently comes close. “We’re really looking at the investability to see what meets the criteria, what meets the criteria that we want to achieve in an ETF,” Cohen said. “Both in terms of the investability and from what we’re hearing from our clients, Bitcoin and Ethereum definitely meet those criteria, but it’s going to be a while before we see anything else.”
Cohen noted that beyond the technical challenges of launching new ETFs, the demand for other crypto ETFs, particularly Solana, is not there yet. While Solana is being touted as the next potential ETF candidate, Cohen noted that the market appetite remains lacking.
BlackRock’s interest in Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs comes after the successful launch of Ethereum ETFs last week, which saw weekly trading volume for the crypto fund soar to $14.8 billion, the highest level since May. The success has fueled speculation about the next possible ETF, with Solana frequently mentioned as a contender.
Solana, known as a faster and cheaper alternative to Ethereum, has been the subject of two separate ETF filings in the US by VanEck and 21Shares. However, the lack of CME Solana futures, unlike Bitcoin and Ethereum, is a significant hurdle for SEC approval of a Solana ETF.
Despite these challenges, some fund managers remain optimistic about Solana’s potential. Franklin Templeton recently described Solana as an “exciting and major development that we believe will drive the crypto space forward.” Solana currently accounts for about 3% of the overall cryptocurrency market value, with a market cap of $82 billion, according to data from CoinGecko.
Meanwhile, Bitcoin investors continue to show strong support, as evidenced by substantial inflows into BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (NASDAQ: IBIT). On July 22, IBIT reported inflows of $526.7 million, the highest single-day total since March. This impressive haul stands in stark contrast to the collective inflow of just $6.9 million seen across the remaining 10 Bitcoin ETFs, according to data from Farside Investors. The surge in IBIT inflows coincides with Bitcoin’s significant $68,000 level, just 8% off its all-time high of $73,000.
Ethereum
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