Ethereum News Today: Ethereum Surpasses Bitcoin in Weekly Spot Volume as Price Surges 26% Amid Altcoin Season Hopes

Ethereum (ETH) has edged past Bitcoin (BTC) in weekly spot trading volume for the first time in over a year, signaling a potential shift in market dynamics. Between July 14 and 20, Ethereum recorded $25.7 billion in spot trades, outpacing Bitcoin’s $24.4 billion [1]. This milestone has reignited speculation about an approaching “altcoin season,” with Ethereum’s price surging over 26% during the same period, driven by six consecutive days of gains, while Bitcoin dipped 1.55% [2]. The shift highlights growing investor confidence in Ethereum’s ecosystem and its ability to attract capital amid broader market uncertainty.

Bullish momentum is further supported by robust inflows into Ethereum-based ETFs. Between July 14 and 18, spot Ethereum ETFs received $2.18 billion in inflows, with an additional $1.39 billion added by July 23. This contrasts with Bitcoin ETFs, which saw $2.37 billion in initial inflows but later faced outflows exceeding $285 million [3]. The divergent flows suggest a reallocation of capital toward Ethereum, possibly driven by anticipation of regulatory clarity for Ethereum ETFs and the asset’s role in blockchain innovation.

Derivatives markets also reflect heightened interest. On July 22, Ethereum’s open interest reached a record $28 billion, but this was followed by $150 million in liquidations within 24 hours, including $111 million in long positions [4]. The liquidations coincided with a 3.87% price correction from Ethereum’s peak of $3,860, indicating short-term caution among traders. Meanwhile, Ethereum’s exchange reserves have declined by 3.46% since the beginning of July, dropping from over 20 million to 19.32 million ETH [5]. This trend typically signals long-term holder confidence, as assets are moved to cold storage rather than held for immediate trading.

Despite these positives, the broader altcoin market has yet to fully capitalize on Ethereum’s momentum. The Altseason Index, which measures altcoin activity relative to Bitcoin, fell from 62 to 48, suggesting that while Ethereum is gaining traction, other cryptocurrencies have not yet aligned with the same bullish trajectory [6]. Analysts caution that Ethereum’s rise, while significant, is not yet indicative of a full-scale altcoin rally.

Institutional analysts are closely monitoring Ethereum’s performance. Reports indicate that Bitcoin whales are diversifying into Ethereum and other altcoins, anticipating potential regulatory developments for Ethereum ETFs [7]. This shift aligns with broader regulatory advancements in digital assets, which are fostering growth in Ethereum’s ecosystem, including decentralized finance (DeFi) and smart contract applications. However, Ethereum faces challenges in sustaining its momentum amid macroeconomic uncertainties, such as potential changes in Federal Reserve policy that could impact risk assets [8].

The recent developments underscore Ethereum’s growing influence in the cryptocurrency market. While Bitcoin remains a dominant force, Ethereum’s ability to attract institutional capital, record derivatives activity, and declining exchange reserves highlight its potential to challenge Bitcoin’s traditional leadership role. Investors and analysts will continue to watch closely for further signs of a broader market shift.

Source:

[1] [Is ETH the New Leader? Ethereum Beats Bitcoin in Volume as Bullish Signals Stack Up] (https://coinpedia.org/news/is-eth-the-new-leader-ethereum-beats-bitcoin-in-volume-as-bullish-signals-stack-up/)

[2] [After Ethereum "surpassed" Bitcoin: Behind the carnival, ...] (https://www.moomoo.com/news/post/55847004/after-ethereum-surpassed-bitcoin-behind-the-carnival-who-is-secretly)

[3] [VanEck Mid-July 2025 Bitcoin ChainCheck] (https://www.vaneck.com/us/en/blogs/digital-assets/matthew-sigel-vaneck-mid-july-2025-bitcoin-chaincheck/)

[4] [Binance Spot Volume Hits 60% as Bitcoin Holds $117K ...] (https://www.ainvest.com/news/bitcoin-news-today-binance-spot-volume-hits-60-bitcoin-holds-117k-support-gaining-0-6-2507/)

[5] [Bitcoin Experiences Significant Drop Amid Market Turmoil] (https://m.economictimes.com/crypto-news-today-live-25-jul-2025/liveblog/122889124.cms)

[6] [Institutional Analysts Say Bitcoin Whales Are Quietly ...] (https://coincentral.com/institutional-analysts-say-bitcoin-whales-are-quietly-diversifying-into-pepd-before-eth-etf-season-btc-to-hit-250k-says-experts/)

[7] [Bitcoin To $200K? Ethereum Demand Shock: Will ETH ...] (https://player.fm/series/the-wolf-of-all-streets/bitcoin-to-200k-ethereum-demand-shock-will-eth-explode)

[8] [Could Bitcoin price rally end if Fed policy pivots?] (https://www.mitrade.com/au/insights/news/live-news/article-3-981656-20250724)