Ethereum News Today: Ethereum Surpasses Bitcoin in Futures Volume for First Time Since 2022 as Altcoins Attract Capital

Ethereum (ETH) has emerged as a focal point in the cryptocurrency market, with data from blockchain analytics firm Glassnode indicating a historic shift in speculative activity away from Bitcoin (BTC). The platform’s analysis reveals that ETH’s futures volume dominance surpassed BTC for the first time since 2022, marking the “largest” volume skew in favor of the altcoin on record. This trend, coupled with rising open interest in ETH and increased on-chain activity in stablecoins linked to the Tron ecosystem, signals a strategic reallocation of capital toward altcoins.

According to Glassnode, ETH’s perpetual futures volume dominance has surged past Bitcoin, a milestone not observed since 2022 [1]. This shift is underscored by ETH’s open interest dominance reaching nearly 40%, the highest level since April 2023. Historically, such elevated readings occur in only 5% of days, suggesting traders are increasingly prioritizing ETH over BTC for speculative positions. The data aligns with ETH’s broader price performance, as the token has rallied over 50% in a month, reinforcing its role as a leading altcoin.

Supporting this narrative, on-chain metrics show a sharp increase in Tron-based USDT transfers, with Binance accounting for 62% of daily transactions valued between $2.5 billion and $3 billion. These movements, typically precursors to market volatility, highlight capital flowing into infrastructure facilitating high-frequency altcoin trading [1]. The Tron network’s liquidity concentration further indicates a growing preference for platforms enabling altcoin speculation, particularly as institutional activity amplifies the trend.

Binance’s native token BNB (BNB) has also outperformed Bitcoin, rising 7.4% over the past week. Analyst Timo Oinonen notes that BNB’s strength positions it as a key indicator of the altcoin sector’s resurgence. Institutional participation is evident in moves such as Nasdaq-listed Nano Labs allocating $105 million to BNB—a strategic shift to diversify into digital assets and leverage the BNB Smart Chain ecosystem [1]. Concurrently, Binance’s stablecoin reserves have declined to $36 billion from a February 2025 peak of $45 billion, reflecting capital redeployment into altcoins. This divergence between falling reserves and rising BNB prices suggests renewed risk appetite and intensified buying pressure in the altcoin market.

The interplay of these factors points to a maturing market where capital is actively seeking higher-yielding opportunities in altcoins. While Bitcoin retains its status as the largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, its relative underperformance compared to ETH and BNB underscores a structural rotation toward alternative assets. The decline in stablecoin reserves, particularly on Tron and Binance, further signals liquidity shifting toward platforms supporting altcoin trading. This dynamic could amplify short-term volatility as speculative flows accelerate into projects with robust fundamentals or institutional backing.

The findings highlight the importance of monitoring on-chain metrics and institutional activity to gauge market trends. With ETH’s volume skew at an all-time high and BNB emerging as a key player, the altcoin sector appears poised for a period of heightened activity. However, investors are cautioned to conduct thorough research, as the sector remains highly speculative and subject to rapid price swings. The sustainability of this momentum will depend on macroeconomic conditions, regulatory developments, and the ability of altcoin projects to deliver long-term value.

[1] CoinMarketCap, [https://coinmarketcap.com/community/articles/6889225984d211695b705f2e/](https://coinmarketcap.com/community/articles/6889225984d211695b705f2e/)