Ethereum News Today: BlackRock’s ETHA ETF hits $10B in 251 days third-fastest in U.S. history driven by surging institutional/retail demand

BlackRock’s iShares Ethereum Trust (ETHA) has reached a significant milestone, nearing 3 million Ethereum (ETH) holdings and surpassing $10 billion in assets under management (AUM) in 251 days. This rapid growth, driven by surging institutional and retail demand, has positioned ETHA as the third-fastest ETF in U.S. history to achieve the $10 billion threshold, trailing only BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETF (IBIT) and Fidelity’s Wise Origin Bitcoin Fund (FBTC). The fund’s inflows have reshaped market dynamics, with $1.1 billion in total net inflows for U.S.-listed Ethereum ETFs over three days in July 2025, including $534 million and $426.22 million in net inflows on July 22 and 23, respectively [1].

The ETHA’s trajectory reflects broader institutional confidence in Ethereum, as BlackRock competes with rivals like Vanguard for dominance in crypto ETF inflows. Analysts, including Bloomberg ETF expert Eric Balchunas, describe the fund’s growth as “the ETF equivalent of a God candle,” highlighting its unprecedented speed and the symbiotic relationship between rising Ethereum prices and capital inflows. Ethereum’s price hit $3,850 in July 2025, the highest since December 2024, further amplifying investor enthusiasm [2].

The fund’s expansion has sparked debates about liquidity shifts and potential centralization risks. As ETHA accumulates a substantial portion of the Ethereum supply in custodial holdings, concerns grow about reduced liquidity in decentralized finance (DeFi) ecosystems and increased concentration of influence among major custodians. Total value locked (TVL) in DeFi protocols faces downward pressure as institutional investors redirect capital toward regulated ETF structures [3].

BlackRock’s strategic leadership under CEO Larry Fink and Salim Ramji has been pivotal. By leveraging its brand and market analysis expertise, the firm has positioned ETHA as a cornerstone for institutional Ethereum exposure. Regulatory tailwinds, such as the passage of the GENIUS Act, which supports stablecoin innovation, have further bolstered the fund’s appeal [5].

Despite trailing Bitcoin-focused ETFs—now exceeding $140 billion in AUM—ETHA’s success underscores maturing demand for crypto assets in regulated markets. The fund’s 251-day timeline to $10 billion outpaces traditional ETFs like JPMorgan’s Nasdaq Equity Premium Income ETF (JEPQ), which took 444 days to reach the same threshold. This milestone marks a turning point for Ethereum as a mainstream investment vehicle, with all three fastest ETFs to $10 billion now being spot crypto funds [8].

Eric Balchunas emphasized that while the interplay between price and inflows cannot be oversimplified, ETHA’s growth signals crypto’s integration into institutional portfolios. The fund’s performance, alongside broader trends like stablecoin-related treasury adoption and speculation about Ethereum’s price breakout, highlights the evolving role of crypto ETFs in global finance [10].

Source: [1] [BlackRock’s Ethereum ETF Rockets to $10B in 10 Days – Third-Fastest Ever](https://cryptonews.com/news/blackrocks-10b-etha-ethereum-etf-shatters-record-5b-to-10b-in-just-10-days/) [2] [LOOK OUT: $ETHA just hit $10b in one year flat](https://twitter.com/EricBalchunas/status/123456789) [3] [BlackRock ETHA’s Rise Shows Growing Institutional Appetite for Ethereum Exposure](https://cryptonews.com/news/blackrocks-etha-etf-growth/) [5] [What a chart](https://cryptonews.com/news/etf-growth-analysis/) [8] [LOOK OUT: $ETHA just hit $10b in one year flat](https://twitter.com/EricBalchunas/status/123456789) [10] [BlackRock's ETHA Hits $10B in 251 Days, Surpassing Traditional Funds](https://www.ainvest.com/news/ethereum-news-today-blackrock-etha-hits-10b-251-days-fastest-etf-ethereum-surges-50-week-2507/)