Ethereum News Today: BlackRock's Ethereum ETF ETHA Hits $10B in 251 Days, Third-Fastest on Strong Inflows

BlackRock’s iShares Ethereum Trust (ETHA) has achieved a historic milestone by surpassing $10 billion in assets under management (AUM) within 251 days of its launch, securing its position as the third-fastest U.S. ETF to reach this threshold. The fund’s rapid growth, driven by a surge in inflows and favorable market conditions, has outpaced all but two Bitcoin-focused ETFs—BlackRock’s IBIT and Fidelity’s FBTC—which achieved the same $10B benchmark in 34 and 53 days, respectively [1]. ETHA’s performance underscores a growing institutional and retail appetite for Ethereum-backed investment vehicles, even as Bitcoin ETFs continue to dominate the sector [2].

The fund’s momentum accelerated dramatically in July 2025, with ETHA doubling its AUM from $5 billion to $10 billion in just 10 days. During this period, it attracted $5 billion in net inflows, marking the shortest timeframe for such a growth spurt in ETF history [3]. Bloomberg Senior ETF Analyst Eric Balchunas highlighted the rarity of this feat, noting that “the five to $10 billion move... was a nice combination of price appreciation and robust flows” [4]. He described the growth as “very weird stuff,” emphasizing that such rapid scalability is unprecedented in the ETF landscape [5].

Analysts attribute ETHA’s success to a confluence of factors, including a surge in Ethereum’s price—peaking near $3,850 in July—and the rise of Ethereum-related treasuries, which have bolstered investor confidence. However, Balchunas cautioned that the interplay between inflows and price movements remains a “tango,” where causality is difficult to disentangle [6]. The fund’s growth also coincided with a broader shift in the crypto market, fueled by renewed enthusiasm for Ethereum-based treasuries and stablecoins [9].

Despite ETHA’s impressive trajectory, Ethereum ETFs still lag behind their Bitcoin counterparts in terms of overall AUM. The 12 Bitcoin ETFs collectively hold over $140 billion, with IBIT alone managing more than $70 billion [8]. Senior ETF.com Analyst Sumit Roy noted that Ethereum ETFs initially faced a slower start compared to Bitcoin products but have recently gained traction amid renewed enthusiasm for stablecoins and Ethereum-based treasuries [9]. This shift, he argued, signals a maturing market where Ethereum’s unique role in decentralized finance is being increasingly recognized.

ETHA’s record-breaking performance reflects broader trends in the ETF industry, where crypto assets are rapidly integrating into mainstream portfolios. The fund’s ability to attract $1.1 billion in inflows within three days of a single week in July further illustrates its appeal [10]. As the first U.S.-listed Ethereum ETF to achieve this milestone, ETHA has set a precedent for future Ethereum-based products, potentially reshaping investor access to the second-largest cryptocurrency.

However, Ethereum’s short-term outlook faces headwinds. 10x Research warned that overbought conditions and rising wETH borrowing costs could trigger volatility, particularly during the traditionally quieter summer trading period [1]. Markus Thielen, head of research at 10x Research, noted that Ethereum’s technical indicators signal overvaluation, compounded by rising demand for wETH on DeFi platforms. Usage of lending platforms like Aave has surged to 95%, pushing borrowing costs higher and threatening strategies reliant on low-interest staking loops [1].

Despite these challenges, Ethereum’s long-term prospects remain optimistic. Historical data shows Q4 as its strongest quarter, averaging a 23.85% return compared to Q3’s 5.60% [1]. Thielen anticipates a recovery post-September, aligning with Ethereum’s seasonal performance trends. For now, ETHA’s success highlights the growing institutionalization of crypto markets, though investors must remain cautious as the sector navigates regulatory and technical complexities.

Source: [1] [BlackRock's ETHA Becomes Third Fastest ETF to Hit $10B] (https://coinpaper.com/10184/black-rock-s-etha-becomes-third-fastest-etf-to-hit-10-b) [2] [BlackRock's Ethereum ETF now third-fastest ETF to reach ...] (https://crypto.news/blackrock-ethereum-etf-third-fastest-etf-hit-10b-2025/) [3] [BlackRock Ethereum ETF Sees $5B Inflows, Hits $10B in ...] (https://www.bitrue.com/blog/blackrock-ethereum-etf-inflows) [4] [BlackRock's Ethereum ETF Roars to $10B, A Crypto First] (https://www.tipranks.com/news/blackrocks-ethereum-etf-roars-to-10b-a-crypto-first) [5] [BlackRock's Ethereum ETF Rockets to $10B, Third-Fastest ...] (https://cryptonews.net/news/finance/31315514/) [6] [BlackRock's Ethereum ETF Rockets to $10B, Third-Fastest ...] (https://cryptonews.net/news/finance/31315514/) [8] [BlackRock's Ethereum ETF Rockets to $10B, Third-Fastest ...] (https://cryptonews.net/news/finance/31315514/) [9] [BlackRock's Ethereum ETF Rockets to $10B, Third-Fastest ...] (https://cryptonews.net/news/finance/31315514/) [10] [BlackRock's Ethereum ETF Rockets to $10B, Third-Fastest ...] (https://cryptonews.net/news/finance/31315514/)