CME Exchange Sees Ethereum Futures Open Interest Soar to Record $7.85B as ETF Inflows Surge

Ethereum futures open interest on the CME has surged to an unprecedented $7.85 billion, marking a historic high. Institutional investors are driving this growth, leveraging futures contracts to hedge risk while maintaining exposure to ETH's price movements.

Spot ethereum ETFs have seen relentless demand, with 16 consecutive days of net inflows totaling nearly $5 billion. BlackRock's fund dominates the market, amassing close to 3 million ETH in holdings. Whale activity has intensified, with 170 new wallets accumulating over 10,000 ETH in the past month alone.

The derivatives surge reflects sophisticated positioning ahead of anticipated price appreciation. Unlike direct spot purchases, futures allow institutions to capture upside while mitigating volatility risks. This milestone eclipses previous records set during ETH's most bullish cycles.