- Ether, the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency, is set for a potential price rally with the upcoming launch of new exchange-traded funds (ETFs).
- The volatile cryptocurrency market with the new ETFs could drive significant price increases and attract investor interest, despite some impact potentially already being priced in.
OUR TAKE
Despite the promising future of crypto, investors must remain vigilant of the volatile interplay between the traditional market and crypto. Additionally, regulators must rigorously fulfill their role in shaping the market landscape to mitigate risks and ensure stability, as unchecked volatility could undermine investor confidence and systemic financial stability.
–Ashley Wang, BTW reporter
What happened
Ether, the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency, is poised for a potential price rally with the imminent launch of new exchange-traded funds (ETFs). As these companion ETFs for ether are set to debut soon, market analysts predict that the digital asset could surpass its previous highest record of $4,867.60 in November 2021. This development mirrors the trajectory of bitcoin, which soared to record levels following the introduction of its own ETFs.
Thomas Perfumo, head of strategy at crypto exchange Kraken, highlighted ether’s liquidity. He noted that, compared with bitcoin, it requires fewer absolute dollars to impact its price. This lower liquidity suggests that even modest inflows into ether ETFs could significantly affect the token’s price.
Bitcoin experienced a substantial price increase, reaching a peak of $73,803.25 in March, two months after the first spot bitcoin ETFs began trading. In contrast, ether has yet to approach its all-time high. The introduction of ether ETFs is expected to change this dynamic, as the supply of ether remains tight, with significant portions staked or locked in smart contracts.
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Why it’s important
The volatile nature of the cryptocurrency market remains a concern. Recent market disruptions, such as the token dumping from the defunct Japanese exchange Mt. Gox, have impacted both bitcoin and ether. Additionally, macroeconomic factors, like the upcoming presidential election, could influence the crypto landscape as well.
Predictions for ether’s future value vary, with Standard Chartered forecasting a potential rise to $8,000 by the end of the year and VanEck projecting a price of $22,000 by 2030. However, some market watchers caution that the upcoming ETFs’ impact may already be priced into ether, which has risen over 29% this year. No matter these predictions, the introduction of ether ETFs represents a significant development in the cryptocurrency market, potentially driving substantial price increases and attracting new investor interest.
