Recent developments in the cryptocurrency world have drawn investors‘ attention back to Bitcoin and Ethereum. However, Ethereum, especially in the context of recent ETF launches, has not managed to attract the same level of interest as Bitcoin. Despite the expected impact of spot Ethereum ETFs, investor enthusiasm has been significantly lower compared to Bitcoin. This situation has led to significant sales and a notable drop in Ethereum’s price. So, why is Ethereum facing this challenge?
High Fees as a Barrier
High fees associated with Ethereum ETFs have caused investors to stay away from these products. For example, Grayscale’s Ethereum ETF demands a high fee of 2.5%, deterring many investors.
As a result, within just four days, $178 million was withdrawn from the existing eight Ethereum ETFs. Grayscale accounted for a staggering $1.16 billion of these outflows. Even the newly launched Mini ETF, offering a lower fee of 0.15%, failed to stop the net outflows.
Uncertainty in Ethereum’s Value Proposition
Another factor contributing to Ethereum’s struggle is the lack of clarity and simplicity in its value proposition. Unlike Bitcoin, often referred to as “digital gold” with a simple appeal, Ethereum’s more abstract and complex nature makes it difficult for traditional investors to grasp and get excited about.
The absence of staking features in these new ETFs further reduces their appeal. Staking, which allows Ethereum holders to earn rewards, is a significant aspect of Ethereum’s allure. Without this feature, investors see less incentive to buy these ETFs.
Bitcoin’s Ongoing Influence
Meanwhile, Bitcoin continues to dominate the agenda with various market events and strategic trading activities. Donald Trump’s recent speech created significant excitement in the options market, with implied volatility for options expiring on July 28 reaching 85.
This means the realized volatility nearly doubled. High expectations led to large funds positioning themselves for potential significant price movements following Trump’s speech and the upcoming Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting.
A notable trading strategy known as the “Trump Card” involves selling a 65k put and buying a 70/72/74k call fly. This bullish approach could provide impressive returns if Bitcoin reaches $72,000 by August 2, potentially offering an annual return of 701.9%. Conversely, a bearish strategy called “Sell the News” aims to profit if Bitcoin’s price falls between 65k and 63k, promising a threefold return on premiums spent if successful.
Jelle’s Big Prediction
A crypto trader named Jelle identified a large descending broadening wedge pattern around Bitcoin’s previous cycle peaks.
According to Jelle, breaking this formation could sharply raise Bitcoin’s price to $85,000. As of the latest data, Bitcoin was trading at $67,829, while Ethereum remained at $3,248.
