Ethereum News Today: BlackRock's ETHA Hits $10B AUM in 251 Days, Third-Fastest U.S. ETF as Ethereum Rallies 50% in Week

BlackRock’s iShares Ethereum Trust (ETHA) has surged past $10 billion in assets under management (AUM) within 251 days of its launch, marking it as the third-fastest U.S. ETF to reach the milestone in history. The fund, which tracks Ethereum’s price, outpaced all other cryptocurrency ETFs in growth velocity, driven by demand from institutional and retail investors for Ethereum’s proof-of-stake model and DeFi integration. Bloomberg ETF analyst Eric Balchunas highlighted that ETHA’s AUM doubled from $5 billion to $10 billion in just 10 days in July 2025, reflecting unprecedented inflow momentum [1]. This rapid growth underscores a shift in capital toward Ethereum, with the fund consistently ranking among the top five ETFs for net inflows, both weekly and monthly [2].

Ethereum’s price performance has mirrored this trend, surging over 50% in the past week and doubling since mid-May. By contrast, Bitcoin’s 30-day gain stands at 24%, highlighting Ethereum’s outperformance. The momentum extended to other Ethereum ETFs, which recorded 14 consecutive days of inflows totaling nearly $4 billion. On July 17 alone, Ethereum ETFs saw a record $602 million in net inflows, dwarfing the $523 million influx into Bitcoin-focused products on the same day [3].

The fund’s success is linked to Ethereum’s technological advancements, particularly its energy-efficient proof-of-stake consensus mechanism, which aligns with evolving ESG priorities. BlackRock has also applied to enable staking within ETHA, a feature that could generate yield for investors once regulatory approvals are secured. The SEC’s recent clarification that staking rewards constitute income rather than securities has reduced regulatory ambiguity, bolstering the fund’s appeal [4].

On-chain activity further validates Ethereum’s rising prominence. A single-day influx of $500 million in stablecoins and a record 24.69 million daily transactions underscore the network’s utility and adoption. As Ethereum approaches its 10-year anniversary, the convergence of price gains, increased network usage, and ETF adoption signals a pivotal phase for the second-largest cryptocurrency.

While ETHA trails BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT), which set the pace in 2024, Ethereum ETFs are narrowing the gap by offering distinct advantages. Institutional adoption of custodial solutions and risk-management tools has normalized crypto ETF participation, reducing entry barriers for mainstream investors. In July 2025, ETHA logged 13 consecutive days of inflows totaling $4 billion, reflecting maturing sentiment toward digital assets as legitimate portfolio components [5].

The surge in ETHA’s AUM aligns with broader market dynamics, including Ethereum’s post-merge efficiency and macroeconomic optimism. As regulatory frameworks evolve and Ethereum’s utility expands, the fund’s trajectory may illustrate crypto’s integration into traditional finance. However, challenges remain, including market volatility and competition from Bitcoin-centric products. Sustained growth will depend on innovation in staking mechanisms and broader institutional adoption.

Sources:

[1] [BlackRock's Ethereum ETF Rockets to $10B, Third-Fastest History](https://decrypt.co/331582/blackrocks-ethereum-etf-rockets-10b-third-fastest-history)

[2] [BlackRock's ETH ETF becomes third-fastest ETF to hit $10B](https://www.mitrade.com/insights/news/live-news/article-3-985237-20250725)

[3] [Ethereum ETFs recorded $533.87 million in net inflows on Tuesday](https://m.economictimes.com/crypto-news-today-live-23-jul-2025/liveblog/122843865.cms)

[4] [BlackRock's iShares Ethereum Trust (ETHA) has topped $10 billion in assets](https://decrypt.co/331773/crypto-market-retreats-amid-record-liquidity-froth)

[5] [BlackRock's spot Bitcoin ETF remains the leader in rapid asset accumulation](https://www.binance.com/en/square/news/all)