As an experienced analyst, I believe the SEC’s recent approval of Ethereum-based ETFs could prove to be a game-changer for Ethereum, potentially surpassing Bitcoin’s impact. While Bitcoin has already established itself as the dominant crypto asset and store of value, Ethereum faces stiffer competition and needs to differentiate itself.


The SEC’s approval of Ethereum-based ETFs could potentially have a greater impact on Ethereum than it did on Bitcoin. While Bitcoin’s role as a store of value is firmly established and not easily contested, Ethereum’s position as a smart contract platform faces tougher competition. Until the recent approval, Ethereum had a hard time differentiating itself from other platforms in this category.

Two primary crypto assets are believed to have a low risk of being classified as securities by US regulatory bodies. While this may not significantly impact individual investors globally, the resolution of regulatory ambiguity could greatly influence institutional decision-making regarding which blockchain platforms to engage with for development and investment purposes.

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Ethereum is expected to maintain its leading role in developer activity within the blockchain sector, particularly for larger projects. Based on Electric Capital’s Developer Report, Ethereum (and EVM chains overall) drew significantly more developers than any other chains in the previous year. The upcoming ETF approvals, accessible institutional channels like Coinbase’s BASE L2, and now this newfound legitimacy are likely to bolster its position even further.

What ETF Approval Could Mean for Ethereum

In terms of project development, Ethereum currently leads the way with a strong roadmap that includes EigenLayer, Ethena, and BlackRock’s BUIDL. Notably, Ethena’s synthetic dollar (USDe) has rapidly accumulated a market capitalization of $3 billion within just a few months, surpassing the total value of all stablecoins on Solana. While other chains will undoubtedly house significant crypto projects, Ethereum is currently the only platform that can attract institutional investment due to its established history and successful protocols like AAVE and Uniswap.

Lastly, a higher ETH price could kick-start the Ethereum DeFi economy, setting off a powerful feedback loop. To take a simple example: just on AAVE, there is ~$9 billion of ETH-linked collateral (between wETH, wstETH, weETH), plus another $1 billion or so in L2s. Sure, some of this collateral is used for delta-neutral strategies like recursive lending and points farming, but most of it is likely not.
As a crypto investor, I can tell you that when the price of Ethereum (ETH) increases, it has a ripple effect on its entire ecosystem. The enhanced collateral value generates wealth effects, leading to increased spending, investment, and leverage. This stimulus-like impact is particularly noticeable if related Ethereum altcoins also experience price growth.
What ETF Approval Could Mean for Ethereum

As a researcher studying the digital asset economy, I cannot definitively say that Ethereum will become the “Amazon” of this space. However, if certain events transpire, Ethereum’s dominance as the leading smart contract platform might push other layer 1 solutions into niche roles, akin to “Etsy.” Yet, it remains uncertain whether this monopolistic trend is ideal for the industry; a more balanced multi-chain landscape could potentially foster greater adoption. At present, Ethereum’s position as the frontrunner appears most likely.

Here’s a suggested way of paraphrasing that statement with a more conversational tone:

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2024-06-12 18:51