Standard Chartered: Why Ethereum treasury firms are better than ETH ETFs
Key Takeaways
Commonplace Chartered acknowledged that the treasury shares have been ‘investable’ and higher than ETH ETFs, citing staking yield alternatives. Tom Lee’s daring prediction was that ETH might tag $9K-$16K.
The Ethereum [ETH] treasury development continues to win the arrogance of institutional gamers.
In its newest word to purchasers, Commonplace Chartered’s world head of digital property analysis, Geoff Kendrick, stated that treasury corporations are ‘extra investable’ now than ETFs, citing their extra yield potential.
Treasury corporations additionally interact in staking, which at present provides 3% in annual rewards and different DeFi yield methods. Nevertheless, ETH ETFs are at present passive gamers, until staking is authorised in a while.
In truth, Kendrick highlighted that treasury corporations now personal 1.6% of the ETH provide, just like ETH ETF merchandise, since June.
Supply: Commonplace Chartered
Nevertheless, the financial institution maintained a $4K value goal for the altcoin by the tip of the yr.
Tom Lee: ETH is having its BTC 2017 second
Tom Lee, the chair of the world’s largest ETH treasury, BitMine, and FundStrat’s CEO, made a daring value prediction for the altcoin.
In a latest CNBC interview, Lee stated that ETH was having its 2017 Bitcoin [BTC] second and the altcoin might hit $16K.
“If the ETH/BTC ratio goes again to the 2021 excessive of 0.14, that may worth ETH at $16K. It is sensible as a result of ETH is a greater storage of worth than it was in 2021.”
For perspective, the ETH/BTC ratio is an indicator that tracks the relative value efficiency of the altcoin in opposition to BTC. In 2021, it peaked at 0.08, and in 2017, it jumped to over 0.14.
Primarily based on the present market value values, going to 2021 ranges would suggest a $9.5K per ETH, whereas extending to 2017 highs of 0.14 would imply a $16K, as instructed by Lee.
Supply: ETH/BTC ratio, TradingView
The ETH treasury picked up momentum in June 2025, giving the altcoin a brand new demand avenue. This made it rival BTC, which loved robust bidding from the likes of Technique (MicroStrategy) and Metaplanet.
Notably, the cumulative ETH held by public firms has soared from 47K ETH to 826K ETH — an 18x development in lower than three months.
Supply: The Block
Whereas acknowledging the debt leverage dangers of treasury corporations, MEXC’s chief analyst, Shawn Younger, instructed AMBcrypto that the development will set the benchmark for the longer term.
“The general public disclosure of those holdings is setting a brand new benchmark. Corporations which can be incorporating digital property now might assist outline the brand new company customary over the subsequent few years.”
That stated, the general capital inflows into ETH remained resilient regardless of sharp declines for BTC and SOL, noted Glassnode.
This instructed that comparatively robust institutional curiosity within the altcoin might give it a lead in restoration if market sentiment improves.
ETH was valued at $3.7K at press time, up 2.8% up to now 24 hours. BitMine’s BMNR jumped 15.6% and BlackRock’s ETHA rallied 3%, indicating that BMNR outperformed the ETF up to now few hours.
Supply: Glassnode
