Ethereum News Today: Ethereum's 3% Staking Edge Could Outpace Bitcoin's Institutional Rush

Ethereum could reach $7,500 by the end of the year, according to a forecast by Standard Chartered. The UK-based bank’s digital assets strategist, Geoffrey Kendrick, cited strong institutional demand driven by corporate treasuries and exchange-traded funds (ETFs). Since June, Ethereum treasury companies and ETFs have collectively absorbed nearly 5% of the asset’s circulating supply in just eight months—more than double the pace of Bitcoin’s fastest accumulation period in late 2024. The current price of Ethereum, hovering around $4,500, represents an attractive entry point, according to Kendrick, who emphasized the asset's staking yield advantage and the growing influence of treasury firms.

Corporate buyers have been central to this trend. Ethereum treasury firms are holding Ether on their balance sheets at an accelerating rate. BitMine, for instance, holds around $7.7 billion worth of Ether and plans to acquire 5% of the total supply. Similarly, Sharplink Gaming, a platform led by crypto entrepreneur Joe Lubin, has amassed 740,000 Ether valued at approximately $3.3 billion. These firms are not only absorbing supply but also implementing strategies such as stock buybacks when valuations dip below net asset value, creating a valuation floor and potentially limiting downside risk.

The valuation dynamics of Ethereum treasury companies are distinct from their Bitcoin counterparts. Two of the largest Ethereum treasury firms, BitMine (BMNR) and Sharplink, currently trade at a discount to their net asset value (NAV), according to Kendrick. This contrasts with Bitcoin treasury firm Strategy, which has a higher multiple. Given that Ethereum treasuries benefit from a 3% staking yield—a feature absent in Bitcoin treasuries—Kendrick views this as an inefficiency in the current market pricing. The analyst also highlighted that Ethereum's digital asset treasuries and ETFs have accumulated 4.9% of the asset’s supply since June, reinforcing the case for further appreciation.

Looking ahead, Standard Chartered projects that Ethereum treasuries could hold up to 10% of the total supply, with 7.4% still required to reach that threshold. The bank’s bullish view is further supported by regulatory tailwinds, particularly the potential passage of the U.S. GENIUS Act, which is expected to spur stablecoin growth. Ethereum’s technical roadmap also plays a role, with anticipated improvements in throughput and scalability. These developments could further enhance Ethereum’s appeal as a reserve asset and as the backbone for decentralized finance (DeFi).

Inflows into U.S. spot Ethereum ETFs remain robust. Despite a recent price correction, ETFs continued to see net inflows of over $443.9 million in a single day, extending a three-day streak of positive net flows. These inflows, coupled with institutional buying pressure, are reinforcing the asset’s structural strength. Analysts have also noted that Ethereum treasury companies may offer stronger returns than ETFs due to their ability to capture staking yields and DeFi opportunities, which ETFs cannot yet replicate.

Source:

[1] Ethereum price to 7500 in 2025 says Standard Chartered (https://www.dlnews.com/articles/markets/eth-price-to-7500-in-2025-says-standard-chartered/)

[2] Ethereum Price Forecast: Standard Chartered sees ETH's pullback as good buying opportunity (https://www.fxstreet.com/cryptocurrencies/news/ethereum-price-forecast-standard-chartered-sees-eths-pullback-as-good-buying-opportunity-202508262152)

[3] Morning Minute: Ethereum to $7,500? Standard Chartered Thinks So (https://finance.yahoo.com/news/morning-minute-ethereum-7-500-141359741.html)