Ethereum Price Surges 17.7% Weekly Amid Staking ETF Hopes

Ethereum’s price outlook is gaining renewed attention as Eric Jackson, founder of EMJ Capital, forecasts a potential surge to $1.5 million per ETH. This projection is driven by the anticipated approval of staking exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and the expanding role of crypto commerce. Jackson’s valuation model estimates that Ethereum could reach $10,000 by the end of the current market cycle, with a bullish scenario pushing prices to $15,000, independent of further innovations in decentralized finance (DeFi) or non-fungible tokens (NFTs).

According to sources, increased institutional demand, staking growth, and Ethereum’s integral role in decentralized finance are key factors enhancing scarcity and price appreciation. The approval of staking ETFs is expected to unlock substantial institutional capital inflows, transforming ETH from a speculative asset into an institutional-grade yield product. This development would mark the first yield-bearing crypto ETF in U.S. history, enabling institutions to earn staking rewards through regulated investment vehicles. The increased demand, coupled with staking locking up over 35 million ETH tokens, will reduce circulating supply, intensify scarcity, and drive prices higher. Ethereum’s deflationary tokenomics, enhanced by Layer 2 scaling solutions and real-world asset tokenization, will contribute to rising transaction fees, reinforcing ETH’s value proposition.

Jackson’s bullish outlook extends beyond staking ETFs. He envisions Ethereum as the backbone of a burgeoning decentralized financial ecosystem, where crypto commerce gradually displaces traditional fiat-based transactions. If platforms continue to integrate crypto payments, Ethereum’s utility and demand will expand exponentially. This transition to a crypto-centric commerce model underpins his long-term price target of $1.5 million per ETH. Supporting this perspective, crypto analyst Merlijn The Trader points to Ethereum’s current price fractal mirroring its 2016 trajectory but with enhanced tailwinds from ETFs, institutional adoption, and global acceptance. Merlijn highlights that Ethereum staking recently hit all-time highs, with over $100 billion worth of ETH locked, signaling strong accumulation by informed investors. This quiet but significant staking growth contrasts with the speculative frenzy surrounding meme coins, suggesting a maturing market focused on fundamental value.

Ethereum continues to demonstrate resilience with a 17.7% weekly gain and a 2.73% increase over the past 24 hours, trading around $3,034 at the time of writing. This price momentum reflects growing investor confidence amid positive developments in staking infrastructure and institutional interest. The strengthening bullish trend underscores the potential for long-term growth driven by structural shifts in the market.

Ethereum’s potential to reach unprecedented price levels is anchored in tangible market drivers such as staking ETF approvals, institutional demand, and its expanding role in decentralized finance and crypto commerce. While short-term volatility remains inherent to crypto markets, the structural shifts highlighted by Jackson and corroborated by market analysts suggest a robust foundation for long-term growth. Investors should monitor staking developments and institutional adoption closely, as these factors are likely to shape Ethereum’s trajectory in the coming years.