Ethereum Outperforms Bitcoin As Institutional Investors Clamor For ETH Exposure

Scott Matherson

1 year ago

4 mins read

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Reports have revealed that institutional investors are shifting their focus to Ethereum, displaying a preference compared to the largest cryptocurrency, Bitcoin. Despite Bitcoin’s recent rally to over $55,000, Ethereum’s unique features and potential developmental capabilities continue to capture institutional players’ interest.

Institutions Favor Ethereum Over Bitcoin

On February 24, cryptocurrency exchange, Bybit, published a research report on its users’ asset allocation. The research examined investors’ hodling and trading behaviours, covering the period from July 2023 to January 2024. Bybit’s report also provided valuable insights into investors’ asset allocation across cryptocurrencies such as altcoins, stablecoins and meme coins, shedding light on the specific coins users are currently bullish or bearish on.

According to the research report, Ethereum has unexpectedly emerged as the primary cryptocurrency choice for institutional investors. The report revealed that “institutions are betting big on Ethereum,” allocating more of their funds to ETH compared to BTC.

Bybit has disclosed that the recent rise in interest in Ethereum began in September 2023, when ETH was still trading around $2,000. Subsequently, Ethereum’s market sentiment became more bullish, experiencing a surge in investor interest to about 40% by January 2024. The crypto exchange has confirmed that, as of January 31, ETH has become the single largest cryptocurrency held by institutions.

Bybit’s report also revealed that institutional investors’ interest in Bitcoin began to wane following the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) approval of Spot Bitcoin ETFs on January 10, 2024. At the time, Bitcoin had experienced massive selling pressures, resulting in investors trimming their BTC holdings to favour other cryptocurrencies.

The excessive allocation of Ethereum is reportedly attributed to investors anticipating a favourable outcome from Ethereum’s upcoming Decun Upgrade, slated to launch in March 2024.

Notably, Bybit has disclosed that it is still being determined if the recent shift to Ethereum is a short-term manoeuvre or a more prolonged move. However, the approaching Bitcoin halving in April potentially adds a layer of bearish risks, as projections indicate Bitcoin’s significant rise in value to new all-time highs during the halving phase.

ETH price rises to $3,230 | Source: ETHUSD on Tradingview.com

Retail Investors Think Otherwise

Bybit’s research report also examines the asset allocation trend for retail investors on the cryptocurrency exchange. The report revealed that retail investors are significantly more bullish on Bitcoin than Ethereum, allocating more funds into BTC than ETH despite Ethereum’s recent surge in value.

Over the past week, Ethereum has experienced a substantial hike in its price, jumping over 7% and outpacing Bitcoin, suggesting a potential for a more extensive upward trajectory. At the time of writing, Ethereum is trading at $3,227, reflecting a 4.05% increase in the last 24 hours, according to CoinMarketCap.

While Ethereum’s massive rally has successfully elevated the sentiment among institutional investors, retail investors remain less swayed, opting to hold onto or incorporate additional Bitcoin into their diversified portfolio of digital assets.

Featured image from Cointribune, chart from Tradingview.com

Scott Matherson

Scott Matherson is a prominent crypto writer at NewsBTC with a knack for capturing the pulse of the market, covering pivotal shifts, technological advancements, and regulatory changes with precision. Having witnessed the evolving landscape of the crypto world firsthand, Scott is able to dissect complex crypto topics and present them in an accessible and engaging manner. Scott's dedication to clarity and accuracy has made him an indispensable asset, helping to demystify the complex world of cryptocurrency for countless readers.

Scott’s experience spans a number of industries outside of crypto including banking and investment. He has brought his vast experience from these industries into crypto, which allows him to understand even the most complex topics and break them down in a way that is easy for readers from all works of life to understand. Scott’s pieces have helped to break down cryptocurrency processes and how they work, as well as the underlying groundbreaking technology that makes them so important to everyday life.

With years of experience in the crypto market, Scott began to focus on his true passion: writing. During this time, Scott has been able to author countless influential pieces that have drawn in millions of readers and have shaped public opinion across various important topics. His repertoire spans hundreds of articles on various sectors in the crypto industry, including decentralized finance (DeFi), decentralized exchanges (DEXes), Staking, Liquid Staking, emerging technologies, and non-fungible tokens (NFTs), among others.

Scott’s influence is not just limited to the countless discussions that his publications have sparked but also as a consultant for major projects in the space. He has consulted on issues ranging from crypto regulations to new technology deployment. Scott’s expertise also spans community building and contributes to a number of causes to further the development of the crypto industry.

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Scott is known for his work in community education to help people understand crypto technology and how its existence impacts their lives. He is a well-respected figure in his community, known for his work in helping to enlighten and inspire the next generation as they channel their energies into pressing issues. His work is a testament to his dedication and commitment to education and innovation, as well as the promotion of ethical practices in the rapidly developing world of cryptocurrencies.

Scott stands steady in the frontlines of the crypto revolution and is committed to helping to shape a future that promotes the development of technology in an ethical manner that translates to the benefit of all in the society.

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