Ethereum News Today: Ethereum Surpasses Bitcoin as Institutional Confidence and DeFi Drive Record Highs

Ethereum, the second-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, has seen significant institutional and retail investor inflows in recent weeks, driving its price to a new all-time high. According to CoinGecko data, Ether (ETH-USD) reached $4,945.60 on Sunday, surpassing its previous record of $4,878 set in November 2021 [2]. This surge is attributed to a combination of factors, including growing institutional interest, the passage of the GENIUS Act—which created a governance framework for stablecoins—and increased adoption in blockchain-based financial services.

The Ethereum blockchain, which supports smart contracts and decentralized applications, has seen increased usage in real-world assets and stablecoin transactions. Analysts note that nearly 52% of the stablecoin supply is anchored to the Ethereum ecosystem [1]. This has reinforced Ethereum’s position as a leading platform for blockchain-based banking and capital market applications, with Bernstein analyst Gautam Chhugani emphasizing its expanding real-world utility [1].

Investor flows have increasingly shifted toward Ethereum-linked products, with multi-billion-dollar inflows reported in August alone. This trend is evident in the recent outflows from Bitcoin ETFs, which totaled over $1 billion in a single week, marking their worst performance since March [1]. Sean Farrell, head of digital asset strategy at Fundstrat, noted that Ethereum’s strong outperformance has siphoned capital from Bitcoin, contributing to its recent softness [1].

Corporate treasuries have also played a role in Ethereum’s rally, with several companies following the lead of Michael Saylor’s MicroStrategy and investing heavily in Ether. Companies such as SharpLink Gaming, BitMine Immersion Technologies, and EthZilla have added Ether to their balance sheets, signaling growing confidence in its long-term value [2]. CoinShares’ James Butterfill highlighted the improving sentiment surrounding Ethereum, noting its constrained supply dynamics and its role in facilitating high-value financial transactions [2].

Ethereum’s economic model differs from Bitcoin’s, as it generates neutral or negative net issuance of new coins, which helps maintain scarcity amid rising demand [2]. Additionally, Ethereum’s smart contract functionality enables programmable money and decentralized finance (DeFi) applications, distinguishing it from Bitcoin’s more limited use case as digital money. Butterfill emphasized that Ethereum represents a reimagining of the internet itself, offering a broader platform for innovation beyond just currency [2].

Source: [1] Ethereum rally continues as recent crypto softness puts bitcoin price at inflection point (https://finance.yahoo.com/news/ethereum-rally-continues-as-recent-crypto-softness-puts-bitcoin-price-at-inflection-point-183003036.html) [2] Ether, Ethereum's coin, breaks 2021 all-time high (https://www.axios.com/2025/08/24/ether-all-time-high)