Bitwise Predicts $15 Billion Surge in Ethereum ETFs: Impact

On Jul 5, 2024

Bitwise CIO is optimistic that Ethereum ETFs will rake in $15 billion months after launch.
This projection precedes the latest carnage in the crypto ecosystem, triggering a 9% ETH slump.

Matt Hougan, Bitwise’s Chief Investment Officer (CIO), has projected a $15 inflow for the Ethereum Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF) within 18 months. In a YouTube video with analyst Scott Melker, the executive expressed confidence in the appeal of Ethereum ETFs to institutional investors.

Predictions of Ethereum ETF Launch

The crypto market is high with anticipation of an ETF launch, with many experts predicting possible launch dates. Market experts are confident that ETFs could debut by mid-July, as previously reported by Crypto News Flash. Bloomberg reported that recent developments indicate multiple applicants will submit their amended S-1 forms by July 8.

Nate Geraci, the President of The ETF Store, says the Ethereum ETF launch week could begin on July 15. Based on his forecast, S-1 amendments will commence on July 8, and potential final approvals will be on July 12.

Bitwise’s CIO says a new round of filings could happen next week. He, however, noted that the best signal of final S-1 filings would be the inclusion of expense ratios. According to him, approvals will come a day or two after issuers include the expense ratio in their filings.

Hougan believes that Ethereum ETFs will offer institutions a compelling diversification opportunity. The CIO’s sentiments are hinged on Ethereum’s success in regions like Canada and Europe, where it has regularly drawn notable investment.

Hougan’s optimism is further strengthened by his conversations with an advisory firm with over $100 billion in assets. According to Houghan, the firm has shown readiness to diversify into Ethereum upon the official launch of spot ETFs.

Another interesting argument put forth by Hougan challenges the prevailing narrative of a strong correlation between cryptocurrencies and traditional financial markets. He highlighted that cryptocurrencies operate independently, unlike conventional assets, during normal economic conditions.

In his view, this makes them a valuable tool for investors seeking to mitigate risk and achieve better risk-adjusted returns.

Ethereum’s Current Struggles

While the anticipation for ETFs is high, it remains important to acknowledge Ethereum’s current struggles. The broader market downturn has not spared Ethereum, with its price dropping over 9% in the last 24 hours to $2,865. The trading volume increased by 57.6% to $29.6 billion, and the market cap is pegged at $344.5 billion.

The crypto market downturn has led to substantial liquidations, with CoinGlass data revealing over $162 million in Ethereum-related losses in the last 24 hours. Long positions accounted for $138.05 million of these liquidations, while short positions accounted for $24.02 million.

Further complicating the picture is Santiment’s report of a decline in Ethereum’s open interest, indicating a potential decrease in trading activity. Additionally, CryptoQuant data reveals a rise in Ethereum’s Estimated Leverage Ratio, suggesting an increase in leveraged positions relative to its market capitalization.

However, some positive signs are showing for Ethereum. Recent data reveals an uptick in Decentralized Application (dApp) volume, which suggests that certain segments of the Ethereum ecosystem continue to see healthy activity.