Bitcoin News Today: Ethereum ETFs Drive Record $40 Billion Weekly Volume in August 2025

In early August 2025, U.S.-listed spot Bitcoin and Ethereum exchange-traded funds (ETFs) achieved a historic trading volume of approximately $40 billion, marking the largest weekly volume ever recorded for these products [1]. This milestone reflects a dramatic surge in interest and participation from both institutional and retail investors in digital asset markets. The surge was primarily driven by Ethereum ETFs, which accounted for a significant portion of the volume, including more than $17 billion in weekly trading [2].

Ethereum ETFs demonstrated a sharp reversal in momentum after a relatively quiet period spanning 11 months, according to Eric Balchunas, an ETF analyst at Bloomberg. “Ether ETFs were asleep for 11 months, and then they crammed one year’s worth of activity into six weeks,” he noted [2]. Over the first two weeks of August, these funds attracted more than $3 billion in net inflows, marking one of their strongest performances since launch [3].

The momentum coincided with broader price movements in the crypto market. On August 1, Bitcoin reached a new all-time high of $124,000 before retreating slightly in the following days. Ethereum also approached its November 2021 high, reaching $4,784 — just 1.94% below its previous peak [1]. While the price of both assets has since declined from those highs, the underlying demand for exposure through ETFs remains strong.

Bitcoin ETFs, which launched in January 2024, have also continued to gain traction. These funds reached a new high of $73,679 in the months following their launch, with BlackRock's iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) and other major ETFs collectively holding more than 1.48 million Bitcoin, valued at over $170 billion [1]. The inflows into these funds suggest a broader shift in investor sentiment, where digital assets are increasingly viewed as core portfolio holdings rather than speculative plays.

Analysts have drawn comparisons between the recent Ethereum ETF-driven rally and the post-launch performance of Bitcoin ETFs. Michael van de Poppe, founder of MN Trading Capital, stated that “This move is comparable to the BTC ETF launch, when Bitcoin continued to rally upward.” He added that the impact of ETFs on altcoins is significant and likely to persist [3]. However, some observers caution that a new all-time high for Ethereum may still be weeks or months away, despite its current proximity to previous records [3].

The record-breaking volume underscores the growing acceptance of crypto ETFs as a legitimate investment vehicle. With continued inflows into both Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs, the broader crypto market is likely to remain in a period of heightened activity and investor confidence. The coming months will be critical in determining whether this surge in volume marks the start of a long-term trend or a temporary spike.