Ethereum News Today: Altcoin Season Begins as ETH Futures Surge 55%

QCP Capital, a prominent trading firm in the crypto markets, has announced that a new "altcoin season" may have begun. The firm highlighted that various altcoin season indicators have surpassed the 50 level, reaching their highest point since December 2024. Additionally, open interest in ETH perpetual futures increased from $180 billion to $280 billion within a week.

The most notable aspect of this cycle, according to QCP Capital, is the leading role played by institutional investors rather than individual investors. This surge in interest is primarily driven by the clarification of stablecoin regulations following the passage of the “GENIUS Act” in the US. Companies are now incorporating layer-one (L1) blockchain assets such as ETH, SOL, XRP, and ADA into their financial balance sheets, mirroring the previous adoption of Bitcoin as a financial reserve asset by institutions like MicroStrategy and Metaplanet.

The report also suggests that investment in ETH could further increase if the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) approves ETH staking-supporting spot ETFs in the coming months. Such a development could prompt some funds to shift from BTC ETFs to ETH ETFs. Last week, daily net inflows into ETH spot ETFs outpaced those of BTC spot ETFs for two consecutive days, indicating a rapidly growing interest in Ethereum from institutional investors. BlackRock is reportedly optimistic about its ETH staking ETF.

QCP Capital also noted that September and December bullish futures strategies (bull call spreads) were actively opened in the Ethereum options market, reflecting optimistic expectations for the fourth quarter of 2025. BTC's overall market dominance decreased from 64% to 60%, while ETH's market share increased from 9.7% to 11.6%. If these trends continue, the altcoin season is expected to strengthen further, with market momentum potentially shifting to newer tokens.

QCP Capital will continue to monitor the market closely and convey any developments to investors promptly. The firm's analysis suggests that the current market conditions are favorable for altcoins, as investors seek to diversify their portfolios and capitalize on the growth potential of these digital assets. The surge in the value of Ether and other L1 cryptocurrencies is a clear indication that the altcoin season may have started, driven by the strong performance of Ethereum and the growing interest from institutional investors.