Ethereum News Today: Ethereum Surpasses Bitcoin as Investors Bet on the Future of the Internet

Ethereum’s native cryptocurrency, ether (ETH), has reached a new all-time high, marking a significant milestone in the cryptocurrency market. As of late 2025, ether peaked at $4,945.60, surpassing its previous record of $4,878 set in November 2021 [1]. This surge has been driven by a combination of factors, including increased institutional adoption, the rise of digital asset treasury companies, and the performance of ether-focused ETFs [1]. Analysts attribute the momentum to Ethereum’s role as a primary platform for stablecoin transactions, which is expected to expand further with the passage of the GENIUS Act [1]. Additionally, Ethereum’s design, which typically results in a constrained supply of new coins, has contributed to its appeal among investors [1].

The renewed interest in ether has also been bolstered by the emergence of companies such as SharpLink Gaming (SBET), BitMine Immersion Technologies (BMNR), and EthZilla (ETHZ), which have followed the lead of Michael Saylor’s Strategy, Inc., in aggressively purchasing ether [1]. This trend reflects a broader shift in investor sentiment, with more attention being directed toward the utility of Ethereum as a programmable blockchain platform [1]. James Butterfill, head of research at CoinShares, noted that Ethereum’s value proposition extends beyond that of Bitcoin, which he described as a reimagining of money, while Ethereum represents a reimagining of the entire internet [1].

Meanwhile, the Shiba Inu (SHIB) token, often categorized as a meme coin, has seen a mixed performance in 2025. While it has experienced a decline of more than 40% year to date, the project remains active through its Shibarium Layer 2 blockchain, which offers faster and cheaper transactions compared to Ethereum’s mainnet [4]. The developers behind Shiba Inu have introduced new tools, including developer-sponsored gas fees and a revamped staking model, to incentivize growth on Shibarium [4]. These developments could serve as a catalyst for SHIB if the broader market sees renewed interest in meme coins ahead of 2026 [4]. However, the token’s future is closely tied to network activity, which has been subdued in recent months due to macroeconomic conditions such as elevated interest rates [4].

In a separate but related development, the Cold Wallet Token (CWT) has emerged as a unique player in the crypto wallet market. Cold Wallet, a non-custodial wallet, has raised over $6.37 million during its presale, with the current price at $0.00998 [2]. The wallet distinguishes itself by offering users cashback rewards on transactions, gas fees, and cross-chain activities in the form of CWT tokens [2]. This model has attracted attention as a potential disruption in the wallet space, where most platforms charge fees rather than offering rebates [3]. The project has also implemented a referral system that rewards users with USDT for bringing new participants into the ecosystem [3].

Cold Wallet’s presale is currently in stage 17 of a 150-stage rollout, with the final presale price expected to reach $0.3517 [2]. Analysts have provided a price forecast suggesting that CWT could see a potential 3,423% return for early buyers if the token reaches its projected launch price [3]. However, the token’s growth will depend on its ability to stand out in a competitive market, particularly against projects like Best Wallet Token (BEST) and Bitcoin Hyper (HYPER), which offer similar or alternative reward mechanisms [2]. Cold Wallet’s long-term success will also depend on its ability to introduce additional utility for the CWT token, such as governance rights or premium features, to sustain demand beyond its initial cashback model [2].

The recent movements in the crypto market highlight a broader trend of innovation and diversification. Ethereum’s institutional adoption and technical upgrades continue to position it as a leading blockchain platform, while projects like Cold Wallet and Shiba Inu are experimenting with new models to capture user value. These developments underscore the dynamic nature of the cryptocurrency space, where technological advancements, market sentiment, and project fundamentals can quickly shift the landscape [1][2][3][4].

Source: [1] Ether, the number two crypto, closes on bitcoin (https://www.axios.com/2025/08/24/ether-all-time-high) [2] Cold Wallet Token Price Prediction from 2025 to 2030 (https://cryptonews.com/price-predictions/cold-wallet-price-prediction/) [3] Cold Wallet Rewards vs PEPE's Risk and OKB's Burn (https://crypto-economy.com/cold-wallets-community-first-rewards-put-it-ahead-of-pepes-risky-breakout-okbs-160-burn-rally/) [4] 4 Reasons to Buy Shiba Inu Before 2026 - Yahoo Finance (https://finance.yahoo.com/news/4-reasons-buy-shiba-inu-143000364.html)