Ether price crossed $2,800 on February 15th for the first time since early 2022, nearing its historic peak above $4,900 reached in late 2021.
The recent rally has been driven by a confluence of factors – anticipation of a spot ETH exchange-traded fund (ETF) approval in the US, increasing levels of staking participation locking up circulating supply, and overall positive market sentiment.
TLDR
- Ether (ETH) price breaks above $2,700 on Feb 15, 2024 for the first time since May 2022 as traders anticipate potential approval of a spot ETH exchange-traded fund (ETF) in the US
- Several major financial firms like Franklin Templeton, BlackRock, Ark Invest have filed for a spot ETH ETF which could significantly boost institutional demand
- 25% of Ethereum’s circulating supply is now locked in the ETH 2.0 staking contracts as investors deposit more ETH to earn staking rewards of ~4% per year
- Over 943,000 validators are now active on the Ethereum Beacon Chain as staking participation continues to increase, improving network security
- Analysts predict ETH price could rapidly approach its all-time high around $5,000 if bullish momentum continues, with $3,500 as a key medium-term target
Several major financial services firms like Franklin Templeton, BlackRock and Ark Invest have already secured regulatory approval for spot Bitcoin ETFs in 2023.
They are now racing to launch the first spot ETH ETF, which would open the floodgates for trillions in institutional capital to invest directly into the asset.
The SEC approval for spot Bitcoin ETFs helped propel BTC price over $50k this year. Market participants expect a similar impact on ETH prices if spot ETH ETFs get the green light.
In parallel, staking participation on the Ethereum 2.0 Beacon Chain continues to steadily rise. 25% of the total circulating supply of ETH is now locked up in staking deposits, reducing sell-side pressure.
Over 943,000 validators are actively participating in the consensus process on Ethereum as it transitions to an energy-efficient proof-of-stake blockchain.
Validators earn ~4% annual yield as rewards for their capital locked up as collateral, creating a passive income stream that has boosted participation.
As staking levels increase, so does the security of the chain making 51% attacks virtually impossible due to the cost associated with obtaining such a large chunk of ETH supply.
ETH’s pivot to proof-of-stake is also environmentally sustainable, in line with institutional investors and funds growing focus on ESG mandates. This makes it likely the SEC greenlights spot Ether ETFs.
With consoldiation around the $2,800 levels, analysts say ETH looks poised to challenge its historic peak around $5,000 later in 2024.
Key target levels on the way up are $3,500 which was the April 2022 top, and $4,200 which marked the pre-crypto winter peak in November 2022.
Continued spikes in staking deposits locking up ETH supply, approval of spot ETH ETFs allowing new institutional capital inflows, as well as broader crypto bull run returning could be the perfect storm that sees Ether trade firmly into 5 digits for the first time ever.
