BlackRock’s Ethereum ETF (ETHA) Smashes $10B Milestone—Is ETH Outrunning Bitcoin Now?

Wall Street’s love affair with crypto just got hotter—and Ethereum’s stealing the spotlight. BlackRock’s ETHA fund rockets past $10 billion in assets, leaving skeptics scrambling and Bitcoin ETFs eating dust.

Why the surge? Institutional money’s flooding into smart contract platforms, betting big on DeFi’s backbone. Meanwhile, Bitcoin maximalists grumble about 'flippening' fears—again.

Bonus jab: TradFi finally found something shinier than their vintage 2008 CDOs. Progress?

Ethereum Fund Hits 10 Billion AUM

ETHA’s rapid popularity also may lead to more competition. Other issuers will be watching closely to see if staking approval gives ETHA a leg up on the competition.

Lower cost fees or competing custodians may change their offerings to remain competitive. Investors will be comparing fee schedules, custodial arrangements, and staking opportunities as they place their Ether.

LOOK OUT: $ETHA just hit $10b in one year flat, the 3rd fastest ETF to hit that mark in history after (you guessed it) two Bitcoin ETFs $IBIT & $FBTC. Amazingly it went from $5b to $10b in just 10 days (ETF asset equiv of a God candle). Is in Top 5 in flows 1M, 1W. Sister Hazel! pic.twitter.com/Jrrb15BdHV

— Eric Balchunas (@EricBalchunas) July 24, 2025

Ethereum ETFs are moving quickly. Latest data shows they drew nearly $5 billion in monthly inflows overall. On July 17 alone, Ethereum funds saw $602 million net injections.

At the same time, bitcoin ETFs brought in over $520 million. That shift hints at growing confidence in Ethereum’s role beyond simple currency use.

Fastest Non‑Bitcoin ETF To Reach Milestone

ETHA’s sponsor fee of 0.25% is low enough to attract big players. Based on reports, BlackRock set it up with Coinbase Prime as custodian after filing in November 2023.

The US Securities and Exchange Commission approved spot Ethereum ETFs alongside seven other funds early in 2024. That green light opened the door for major institutional flows.

Analysts point to Ethereum’s proof‑of‑stake system and its DeFi applications as key drivers. Staking locks up Ether and earns rewards, offering a potential yield that Bitcoin funds can’t match.

BlackRock has applied to let ETHA stake its holdings. If approved, some of ETHA’s Ethereum will be locked up to generate staking income. That decision could come later this year after the SEC clarified that staking rewards count as income, not a security.

Ethereum’s rise also reflects a broader search for yield. With bond returns still low and stock markets volatile, some investors are turning to crypto products that offer returns beyond price gains.

ETHA’s quick growth shows that institutional demand for crypto is no longer limited to Bitcoin. Based on reports, ETHA ranks first among spot Ethereum ETFs in both size and growth rate.

BlackRock’s DEEP pockets and respected brand do not hurt either. A large brand like BlackRock has clout when it comes to working with highly regulated assets.

With Ethereum now being seen as a broader-than-niche token, large asset managers see a chance to add crypto to mainstream portfolios.

Featured image from Pexels, chart from TradingView