JPMorgan outlines four factors behind Ethereum’s outperformance over Bitcoin

Ethereum has outpaced Bitcoin in recent weeks, with JPMorgan analysts pointing to a combination of exchange-traded fund inflows, corporate treasury adoption, regulatory clarity, and structural ETF improvements as the main drivers.

Ethereum ETFs saw a record $5.4 billion of inflows in July, matching Bitcoin ETFs for the month, JPMorgan analysts led by managing director Nikolaos Panigirtzoglou noted in a report Wednesday. While spot Bitcoin ETFs have since recorded small outflows in August, spot Ethereum ETFs have continued to attract capital, the analysts said.

Ethereum has outperformed Bitcoin, particularly since the U.S. passed the GENIUS Act stablecoin law in July, and as investors anticipate another landmark crypto market structure bill by September.

The four factors

The JPMorgan analysts highlighted four factors behind Ethereum’s recent outperformance. First, the market expects the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission to approve staking for spot Ethereum ETFs, which would allow asset managers to generate staking yields for investors without requiring them to hold the 32 ETH minimum.

Second, corporate treasuries have begun to add Ethereum, with about 10 public companies holding ETH on their balance sheets — representing 2.3% of the current circulating ETH supply. Some of these corporates are expected to run validators to earn passive staking income, while others may pursue yield through liquid staking and decentralized finance (DeFi) strategies, the analysts said.

Third, the SEC has offered staff-level clarifications suggesting that liquid staking tokens may not be treated as securities. The analysts said this has eased institutional concerns, though the statements have not yet been codified into law.

Fourth, the SEC’s recent approval of in-kind redemptions for spot Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs will allow institutions to redeem ETF shares directly in crypto rather than converting to cash. “This brings more efficiency, a reduction in costs, and greater market liquidity to these ETFs and mitigates the need for liquidations during large withdrawals by investors,” the JPMorgan analysts said.

Looking ahead, the analysts said Ethereum has more room to grow in both ETF and corporate treasury adoption when compared to Bitcoin. Corporate and institutional holdings of ETH currently lag those of BTC, leaving scope for further inflows if adoption trends continue.