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Ethereum spot ETFs launched in the U.S. one year ago, and they’ve come a long way. These funds now have over $8 billion in net inflows and are gaining more interest from both regular investors and big institutions. Experts believe the future looks strong, especially if staking gets added to the mix.

Katherine Wu from ENS Labs says the Ethereum ETFs are more than just investment tools. Unlike Bitcoin ETFs, which focus on a scarce digital asset, Ethereum ETFs offer access to a smart, useful blockchain that powers stablecoins, tokenization, and real-world assets. It’s not just about $ETH anymore, it’s about the whole ecosystem.

Ethereum ETFs: Reaching the Third-Highest Daily High
Since getting approval from the SEC, nine Ethereum spot ETFs started trading on July 23, 2024, pulling in over $1 billion on their first day.
Fast forward to July 23, 2025, and those ETFs have now collected a total of $8.32 billion in net inflows. While that’s smaller than Bitcoin ETFs’ $54.55 billion, Ethereum’s momentum is growing fast.

Just this week, the funds saw $533.87 million in inflows, the third-highest ever. The top record was $726.74 million on July 16. July also brought a 13-day streak of positive inflows.
Total ETF assets reached a new high of $19.85 billion.
Among the top performers:
🔹BlackRock: $426.22 million in one day
🔹Grayscale: $72.64 million
🔹Fidelity: $35.01 million
Wu says these big numbers show that institutions aren’t just watching, they’re investing heavily in Ethereum.

What’s Next: Price
Ethereum recently crossed $3,500, and analysts believe this rally is just getting started.
Sean Dawson of Derive.xyz says this rally belongs to ETH, not Bitcoin. He believes there’s a shift happening, based on technical charts, liquidations, and investor positioning, that could make the rest of 2025 the strongest year for Ethereum yet.
He describes it as a “regime change,” meaning the market is starting to realize Ethereum’s full potential. With ETF interest, falling rates, and strong investor mood, many expect ETH to soon break above $4,000.
At the moment, Ethereum trades at $3,677, still down from its all-time high of $4,878 in 2021.

What’s Next: Staking ETFs
Now that Ethereum ETFs are well established, the next big move could be ETFs with staking. That means ETH held by these funds could start earning rewards, just like how regular users stake their ETH on the blockchain.

BlackRock has already filed to enable staking in its ETH ETF. Katherine Wu says this move shows Ethereum is being seen as more than just a hold-and-sell asset, it’s a tool that can generate income.
Adding staking would make ETFs even more attractive by providing native yield, a key feature for investors.
Alon Muroch from SSV Labs says the SEC might approve staking if the crypto industry can prove it’s safe and not a type of securities offering. If approved, this would bring more adoption and stronger ties between traditional and decentralized finance.
Leo Fan, co-founder of Cysic, adds that staking would give Ethereum ETFs real-world value, making them more competitive.
Dan Hughes, founder of Radix DLT, warns that regulators should ensure these new ETF products benefit more than just big institutions. If not, there’s a risk that old power structures could dominate crypto, which goes against what DeFi stands for.
#ETH #ETHETFS #ETHETFsApproved #GregLens

A major fight is brewing between traditional U.S. banks and crypto companies.
On July 17, 2025, a group of powerful banking organizations including the American Bankers Association (ABA) asked U.S. regulators to pause the approval of banking licenses for big crypto firms like @Circle USDC , @Ripple Network , and Fidelity Digital Assets.
They sent a letter to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), saying that giving crypto companies a banking license would break traditional banking rules and put the U.S. financial system at risk.

Why Are Banks Worried?
The letter explains that crypto companies don’t work like traditional banks. They don’t offer core services like handling estates or acting as trustees. Banks also say crypto firms haven't shared enough details about their operations, making it hard for regulators to judge them properly.
They’re asking for a public review process, where everyone can give feedback before any approval is given. Banks fear that if crypto companies get these licenses easily, more non-traditional firms will follow, which could destabilize the financial system.

Regulators Still Cautious About Crypto
Earlier this year, the OCC gave some clarity on crypto. On March 7, it said that national banks could hold crypto assets, use stablecoins, and take part in blockchain networks, but only under strict rules.
Then, on July 14, the OCC and other regulators warned banks about the risks of holding crypto, urging them to improve their risk management.
These moves show that while regulators are open to crypto, they are still very cautious.

New Law Heats Up the Debate
At the same time, the GENIUS Act was signed into law on July 17. It allows stablecoin companies to apply for national bank charters. This means they wouldn’t need state licenses and could expand more easily.
Crypto supporters welcomed the law. But it added to the concerns of banks, who now see more crypto firms trying to enter their space.
Caitlin Long, founder of Custodia Bank, said that some of these charters could act like real bank licenses, but with fewer rules and less capital required. This could lead to legal battles.

Paradigm, a crypto-focused firm, posted on X that banks and credit unions are clearly afraid of crypto competition.

What’s Next?
The OCC must now decide: Should crypto companies be treated like real banks?
If the OCC delays or denies these applications, it could hurt the crypto industry’s efforts to become part of the mainstream financial system. But approving them could increase competition and encourage innovation while raising risks to the financial system.
This growing battle shows how crypto is forcing big changes in banking. As crypto firms push for legitimacy, traditional banks are fighting to protect their position.
The future of finance in the U.S. might depend on how this conflict plays out.
Image Source: COIN BUEARU
#GENIUSAct #Binance #USbank #GregLens

Here’s what’s happening with $BTC this week, and why things are still looking very bullish for the coming months.

Price Action:
Bitcoin is holding strong between $116K–$120K. No big move yet, but this sideways range is exactly what we saw in 2017 and 2021 before those massive pumps.

If this pattern repeats, we could see $175K–$200K in the next 5–6 months.

Key Levels:
• Resistance: $125K (based on Head & Shoulders breakout)
• Support: $116K and $110K

Indicators:
• MACD is showing strong bullish momentum
• RSI is at 71% (yes, it’s overbought — but in parabolic runs, BTC has gone to 85–90 RSI before)

Quick Reminder:
Don’t fall for big headlines or market noise.
Market makers often use FUD or hype to shake people out, stay focused and think long term.

Big Macro News Helping Bitcoin:

1. Trump signed the “Big Beautiful Bill”, expected to bring in fresh liquidity

2. Despite wars and global tensions, markets are still at all-time highs

3. The economy bounced back even after tariff fears earlier this year

4. Rate cuts are coming, 3 to 4 cuts expected over the next few FOMC meetings

5. Global money y supply (M2) is increasing again, more fuel for risk assets.

What This Means:
The market might stay choppy short-term, but the bigger picture is still very bullish.
Any major dip could be a strong buy opportunity.

This Week’s Event to Watch:
• Nasdaq Earnings: could bring some short-term volatility

tay sharp, stay patient. The real move could be just around the corner.

#BTC #BTCPrediction #GregLens