Ethereum News Today: BlackRock Boosts Ethereum Holdings by 18% in Single Day

BlackRock, the world's largest asset management firm, has significantly increased its holdings in Ethereum, purchasing over half a billion dollars worth of the cryptocurrency. On July 16, 2025, BlackRock acquired $499.2 million in Ethereum, bringing its total holdings to 2.02 million ETH, up from 1.73 million. This purchase exceeded its Bitcoin inflow by $50 million, indicating a strategic shift towards Ethereum. The firm's Ethereum ETF (ETHA) led the charge, drawing in $499 million in a single day, marking a major milestone in Ethereum's institutional adoption.

The surge in Ethereum's price, driven by institutional inflows and growing market confidence, has been notable. The 148,585 ETH that BlackRock bought is the highest daily inflow since the fund was launched in July 2024. This move mirrors Bitcoin’s pattern during the run-up to its own spot ETF launch earlier this year.

The record inflows into Ethereum ETFs have pushed total ETF-held Ethereum reserves to an all-time high. Ethereum ETFs now collectively manage $13.22 billion in assets, a 22% increase over the past 30 days. This growing ETF accumulation could serve as a long-term catalyst for Ethereum, similar to what spot ETFs have done for Bitcoin. With institutional interest accelerating and price momentum building, Ethereum’s bullish breakout may only be getting started.

BlackRock’s Ethereum purchases are over 5 times larger than its Bitcoin buys, a staggering imbalance that hints at deeper institutional conviction in ETH’s relative upside potential. At the time of writing, Bitcoin is trading at $118,755 with a market cap of $2.36 trillion, while Ethereum is priced at $3,620 with a market cap of $437 billion. The relative size difference means BlackRock’s ETH accumulation carries significantly more market impact on a percentage basis making its strategy even more striking.

As of July 18, BlackRock’s total Ethereum holdings stand at $7.75 billion, following months of consistent accumulation. Meanwhile, the firm’s Bitcoin exposure, while still massive, appears to be growing at a slower pace relative to ETH. The asset manager’s aggressive Ethereum strategy has raised eyebrows among analysts, especially given its traditionally cautious stance on altcoins. Some speculate that the move may be tied to BlackRock’s ambitions in tokenized finance or ETH’s role in powering real-world asset infrastructure.

The purchase of Ethereum by BlackRock is a significant development in the cryptocurrency market. It indicates that institutional investors are increasingly viewing Ethereum as a valuable asset, potentially rivaling Bitcoin in terms of market capitalization and institutional interest. The move by BlackRock to add staking to its Ethereum ETF further underscores the firm's commitment to the cryptocurrency and its potential for growth.