Ethereum Surges 38% Past $3,000 on Record ETF Inflows

Ethereum's price surged past the $3,000 mark for the first time since February, driven by record inflows into Ethereum exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and a significant liquidation of short positions. This upward momentum reflects a shift in market sentiment, with Ethereum showing resilience despite being down over 38% from its all-time high in late 2021. The largest single-day inflow into U.S. Ethereum ETFs totaled $383.1 million, underscoring growing confidence in Ethereum’s long-term value proposition and its expanding role within the decentralized finance ecosystem. The surge also triggered the liquidation of $258.6 million worth of Ethereum short positions, highlighting the intensity of the bullish momentum.

Ethereum’s breakout past $3,000 and its brief lead over Bitcoin in futures volume reflects increasing risk appetite and expanding trader interest in ETH derivatives. Earlier in the month, sentiment indicators suggested a near 50% probability of Ethereum dropping to $2,000 before reclaiming $3,000. However, these odds shifted dramatically as ETH approached $3,000, reaching a full consensus by Friday morning. This reversal signals a robust change in trader psychology, moving from cautious bearishness to renewed optimism. SharpLink Gaming’s recent acquisition of over 205,000 ETH, now valued at more than $618 million, further exemplifies institutional confidence in Ethereum’s trajectory.

Ethereum’s breakout is not occurring in isolation. Bitcoin also set new milestones, surpassing $116,000 and then climbing to $118,667, accompanied by over $678 million in Bitcoin short liquidations. Combined, the crypto market has seen more than $1.14 billion in short positions liquidated, reflecting a widespread shift towards bullish positioning. The synchronized strength of both Ethereum and Bitcoin signals a broader market alignment, fostering optimism for accelerated adoption and integration of cryptocurrencies into mainstream finance.

Alongside Ethereum and Bitcoin, several altcoins have experienced notable gains, contributing to a 2.4% increase in the total crypto market cap. XRP rose by 8.6%, Dogecoin surged 10.2%, and Cardano climbed an impressive 15.8%. This widespread upward movement across diverse digital assets indicates a healthy market environment, driven by renewed investor interest and positive macroeconomic factors.

Ethereum’s resurgence past the $3,000 threshold, backed by record ETF inflows and significant short liquidations, marks a critical juncture in the cryptocurrency market. The concurrent strength of Bitcoin and altcoins highlights a synchronized rally, suggesting increased risk appetite and growing institutional participation. As the market continues to evolve, these developments may pave the way for deeper crypto integration within global financial systems, offering investors new opportunities amid a dynamic landscape.