Ethereum Updates: Institutional Investors Fuel 6 Million ETH Holdings While ETFs Surpass Bitcoin

Ethereum has reached a significant milestone in institutional adoption, with corporate treasury holdings now exceeding 6 million ETH. This achievement is fueled by unprecedented inflows into exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and proactive accumulation by treasury-focused firms. The increase demonstrates rising trust in Ethereum's capabilities and its transformative impact on the financial sector, with companies such as

and Sharplink Gaming at the forefront.

During the third quarter of 2025, US spot

ETFs experienced record-breaking demand, attracting $9.6 billion in net inflows and surpassing ETFs for the first time, as reported by . ETH ETFs' total assets under management (AUM) soared to $28.6 billion, marking a 177.4% increase from the previous quarter, according to . BlackRock's $ETHA ETF alone saw $71.83 million in inflows on October 27 and reached $1.4 billion in trading volume, highlighting its popularity among both institutional and individual investors, based on a .

Ethereum's expanding ecosystem is a key driver behind this momentum. According to CoinGecko's Q3 2025 analysis, ETH's price climbed 66.6%, far outpacing Bitcoin's 6.4% rise. Increased activity in decentralized finance (DeFi) and tokenization initiatives has attracted major enterprises to Ethereum. The total value locked (TVL) in DeFi jumped 40.2% to $161 billion, while stablecoin market cap reached an all-time high of $312 billion, propelled by Ethena's

and Tether's .

Treasury-focused companies have intensified this movement. Bitmine Immersion, listed on Nasdaq, purchased 77,055 ETH (worth $320 million) in late October, raising its total to 3.313 million ETH—representing 2.8% of all ETH, according to

. Sharplink Gaming acquired 19,271 ETH ($80.37 million), increasing its holdings to 859,400 ETH valued at $3.6 billion, as per . These acquisitions make them leading corporate ETH holders, with Bitmine second only to Strategy Inc’s Bitcoin-heavy treasury.

This wave of institutional buying is altering market dynamics. Ethereum's market share rose to 12.5%, while Bitcoin's dominance dropped to 56.9%, indicating a shift toward alternative cryptocurrencies. Experts attribute this trend to renewed institutional interest, especially from treasury firms and ETFs. Tom Lee, Fundstrat co-founder and Bitmine chairman, remarked that Ethereum's "supercycle" is gaining momentum, with open interest levels matching those seen in June, despite recent price corrections.

Regulatory changes have further supported this trend. The SEC's Project Crypto and the proposed GENIUS Act are considered crucial steps toward recognizing crypto as a legitimate asset class, drawing parallels to the end of the gold standard in 1971 that transformed global finance. At the same time, Japan's introduction of a yen-backed stablecoin and ongoing regulatory discussions in South Korea underscore Ethereum's growing impact beyond conventional markets.

While optimism is high, certain obstacles persist. Market fluctuations and regulatory ambiguity remain, but improvements in liquidity—such as Bitmine's $1.5 billion daily trading volume—point to a maturing market. As Ethereum's treasury expands, its position as a foundational asset in decentralized finance and institutional portfolios continues to solidify.