Ethereum News Today: Ethereum Surpasses Bitcoin in Trading Volume as ETH Gains 26% vs BTC's 1.55% Loss

Ethereum has overtaken Bitcoin in several critical market metrics, signaling a potential shift in the cryptocurrency landscape. Between July 14 and July 20, Ethereum’s spot trading volume reached $25.7 billion, surpassing Bitcoin’s $24.4 billion for the first time in over a year. During the same period, the price of ETH surged by 26%, while BTC fell 1.55%. This marked a reversal of the traditional dominance held by Bitcoin, with analysts suggesting the onset of an “altcoin season” driven by Ethereum’s performance [1].

The leadership shift is supported by data from CryptoRank, which highlights Ethereum’s dominance in spot volume over Bitcoin by $1.3 billion in the seven-day span. This growth was fueled by a 26% price increase across six consecutive days, contrasting with Bitcoin’s low volatility and modest decline. Meanwhile, Ethereum futures markets saw record open positions of $28 billion on July 22, though a $150 million liquidation followed the next day, reflecting a mix of optimism and caution among traders [1].

ETF flows further underscored Ethereum’s rising appeal. From July 14 to July 18, spot Ethereum ETFs attracted $2.18 billion in inflows, followed by an additional $1.39 billion in the subsequent days. By contrast, Bitcoin ETFs, which initially saw $2.37 billion in inflows over five days, experienced net outflows of $285 million from July 21 to 23. This trend suggests a strategic reallocation of capital toward Ethereum, particularly as institutional interest grows [1].

The shift is also reflected in Ethereum’s declining exchange reserves. According to CryptoQuant, centralized exchange holdings of ETH fell by 3.46% during the same period, dropping to 19.32 million units from 20 million. This indicates that investors are moving assets to cold storage, potentially reducing immediate selling pressure. However, the Altcoin Season Index, which measures the breadth of market participation, fell from 62 to 48, suggesting the rally remains concentrated in Ethereum and a broader altcoin boom has not yet materialized [1].

Analysts have responded to Ethereum’s momentum with varied forecasts. BitMEX founder Arthur Hayes raised his 2025 ETH price target to $10,000, emphasizing the asset’s transition from speculative to utility-driven value [3]. Institutional adoption has also accelerated, with firms like BitMine Immersion Technologies increasing Ethereum holdings to $2 billion following a $177 million investment from Cathie Wood’s Ark Invest. SharpLink Gaming, co-founded by Ethereum’s Joseph Lubin, acquired 79,949 ether in a single week, while World Liberty Financial added 3,743 ether to its reserves [4]. These moves mirror Bitcoin’s trajectory in the mid-2010s, as companies increasingly treat Ethereum as a reserve asset [5].

Despite the optimism, challenges persist. A Hacken report noted $3.1 billion in crypto losses in the first half of 2025, driven by smart contract vulnerabilities and scams. While Ethereum’s infrastructure is more mature than many altcoins, incidents like the Bybit hack—where $1.5 billion was stolen from Ethereum wallets—highlight systemic risks [4].

Ethereum’s rise reflects a broader reevaluation of its role in decentralized finance. Platforms like OneSafe are leveraging Ethereum to develop crypto payroll solutions for startups and DAOs, positioning it as a foundational layer for decentralized banking [6]. Artemis Analytics has also noted Ethereum’s reputational shift from speculative risk to a “safe-haven” asset in crypto portfolios [5].

The convergence of ETF inflows, institutional adoption, and ecosystem growth underscores Ethereum’s evolving market position. While Bitcoin remains a key player, Ethereum’s performance suggests a structural shift in investor preferences. Analysts like Bloomberg Intelligence’s Eric Balchunas describe the current phase as a “God candle” in ETF flows, signaling a potential inflection point for the asset [4].

Source:

[1] [AInvest: Ethereum Trading Volume Surpasses Bitcoin’s for First](https://www.ainvest.com/news/ethereum-news-today-ethereum-trading-volume-surpasses-bitcoin-time-2022-25-7b-24-4b-june-2025-2507/)

[2] [Coinpedia: Ethereum Beats Bitcoin in Volume as Bullish Signals Stack Up](https://coinpedia.org/news/is-eth-the-new-leader-ethereum-beats-bitcoin-in-volume-as-bullish-signals-stack-up/)

[3] [Decrypt: Ethereum to Hit $10K and "Tear the Market a New Asshole"](https://decrypt.co/331473/ethereum-hit-10k-tear-market-new-asshole-arthur-hayes)

[4] [Sherwood: Ethereum Builds Momentum as Reserves and ETFs Hit New Records](https://sherwood.news/crypto/ethereum-builds-momentum-as-reserves-and-etfs-hit-new-records/)

[5] [Mitrade: Ethereum Is Becoming Crypto’s Reserve Asset](https://www.mitrade.com/au/insights/news/live-news/article-3-984520-20250724)

[6] [OneSafe: Ethereum’s Rise and the Future of Crypto Payroll](https://www.onesafe.io/blog/ethereum-rise-future-crypto-payroll-decentralized-banking)