Ethereum (ETH) is slowly making a larger market footprint as institutional capital continues to rotate away from Bitcoin. Spot Ether ETFs have recorded nearly $10 billion in inflows since July, far surpassing Bitcoin ETF demand over the same period. According to K33 Research, Bitcoin’s open interest has surged to a two-year high of $34 billion, raising concerns about excessive leverage, while Ethereum’s consistent capital inflows highlight growing confidence in its long-term role. Notably, a Bitcoin whale recently swapped 22,400 BTC for ETH, pushing Ethereum to a new all-time high near $4,956. This move accelerated the ETH/BTC ratio to 0.041, signaling that institutional money may be repositioning toward Ethereum’s ecosystem. Why ETH is Wall Street’s Favorite Crypto Wall Street has increasingly embraced Ethereum as the preferred blockchain for stablecoin settlements, decentralized finance (DeFi), and tokenized assets. VanEck CEO Jan van Eck even called ETH “the Wall Street token,” citing its programmable smart contracts and staking yields that set it apart from Bitcoin’s passive “digital gold” narrative. Data shows that over 19 public companies now hold 2.7 million ETH in their treasuries, leveraging staking for steady income. Similarly, investment advisers hold $1.3 billion in Ether ETF exposure, with Goldman Sachs accounting for more than half the amount. The GENIUS Act stablecoin legislation, passed earlier this year, has further boosted institutional confidence by cementing Ethereum’s role in regulated financial systems. ETH's price trends to the upside on the daily chart. Source: ETHUSD on Tradingview Ethereum Price Predictions: $6K–$12K Targets Analysts are increasingly bullish on Ethereum’s projections. Short-term targets point to a breakout above $5,200 and potentially $6,000 in September, with some projections extending as high as $12,000 by year-end. This optimism stems from Ethereum’s dominance in stablecoin infrastructure (over $145 billion), strong ETF flows, and improving technical setups. Historically, Ethereum rallies have coincided with altcoin seasons, but experts caution that the broader market has yet to show signs of overheating. With ETH currently trading around $4,620, analysts note that holding above $4,500 support could be the launchpad for the next major leg higher. As traditional finance merges deeper into decentralized ecosystems, Ethereum’s yield generation, programmability, and regulatory clarity positions it as the perfect asset to surpass Bitcoin in institutional adoption. Cover image from ChatGPT, ETHUSD on Tradingview