Ethereum News Today: Ethereum Futures Hit $118 Billion Volume as ETF Inflows Surpass Bitcoin 41%

Ethereum futures trading on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) reached an all-time high in July 2025, with trading volume surging to $118 billion and open interest climbing to $7.5 billion [1]. This unprecedented growth highlights a sharp increase in institutional participation, as hedge funds, asset managers, and other large players continue to allocate capital to Ethereum, positioning for long-term moves rather than short-term speculation [2].

The surge in futures activity coincides with strong inflows into Ethereum-based exchange-traded funds (ETFs). In a single week, Ethereum ETFs recorded over $1.5 billion in inflows, significantly outpacing Bitcoin’s $244 million during the same period [8]. This trend reflects a broader diversification strategy among institutional investors, as a 2024 EY-Parthenon study revealed that 60% of institutional investors are expanding their crypto portfolios beyond Bitcoin and Ethereum [1]. The CME’s regulated ether futures, settled against a transparent reference rate, have become a preferred vehicle for this growing institutional capital.

Ethereum’s price, however, has shown mixed signals in recent trading sessions. Despite the strong institutional backdrop, the price dipped by 8.18% in the last 24 hours, trading at around $4,230 [2]. Technical indicators, however, remain bullish, with a MACD crossover and an oversold RSI suggesting potential for a rebound toward $4,800 or higher, assuming institutional support holds [2].

Analysts remain cautious, noting that leveraged positions could amplify losses in the event of a sharp price correction. Historical data from the Journal of Financial Economics on crypto market corrections supports this view, highlighting the risks associated with volatility and leverage [2]. Nevertheless, the broader narrative remains positive, as Ethereum continues to outperform the overall crypto market. Over the past month, it has surged nearly 41%, with a three-month gain of 59.30% [3].

Standard Chartered has raised its price target for Ethereum, projecting the asset to reach $7,500 by year-end 2025 and $25,000 by the end of 2028 [9]. This optimism is underpinned by ongoing upgrades to the Ethereum network and the increasing adoption of tokenized stocks and ETFs, which are attracting new investors into the crypto space [8].

The broader Ethereum ecosystem has also benefited from the institutional boom, with altcoins showing signs of breakout potential. Related assets such as Uniswap have seen strong performance, driven by the same ETF-driven investor interest [2]. However, while some large holders are exploring new altcoin opportunities, the market remains anchored to Ethereum’s performance [2].

As Ethereum’s role in decentralized finance continues to evolve, the asset remains a focal point for traders and analysts. The recent surge in futures volume, ETF inflows, and institutional positioning suggests the market is entering a new growth phase. Still, investors must remain vigilant, as the crypto market remains inherently volatile and sensitive to macroeconomic conditions and regulatory developments [2].

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Source:

[1] AInvest - https://www.ainvest.com/news/ethereum-news-today-ethereum-futures-hit-118-billion-etf-inflows-surge-1-01-billion-24-hours-2508/

[2] CoinCentral - https://coincentral.com/ethereum-and-cardano-eye-new-record-highs-but-whales-are-buying-this-new-altcoin/

[3] The Economic Times - https://m.economictimes.com/markets/cryptocurrency/ethereum-outpaces-crypto-market-with-41-monthly-surge-bitcoin-at-119k-should-you-buy/articleshow/123274597.cms

[8] Finance Magnates - https://www.financemagnates.com/trending/ethereum-inches-toward-2021-high-as-tokenized-stocks-etfs-outpace-bitcoin-inflows/

[9] Sherwood News - https://sherwood.news/crypto/ethereum-crosses-usd4-700-as-it-continues-to-head-towards-a-new-all-time/