Ethereum Demand Shock Will Rock Markets, Bitwise CIO Warns

A sudden surge of institutional and company curiosity in Ethereum (ETH) is setting the stage for what Bitwise Asset Administration’s chief funding officer Matt Hougan calls a “structural imbalance” between provide and demand—one that might propel costs effectively past the cryptocurrency’s already‑speedy ascent this yr.

In a memo circulated to shoppers on 22 July 2025, Hougan famous that Ether has climbed greater than 65 p.c previously month and over 160 p.c since April. The rally, he argues, is being pushed not by sentiment alone however by a dramatic mismatch between the quantity of Ether produced by the community and the portions now being absorbed by change‑traded merchandise (ETPs) and newly fashioned “ETH treasury” companies.

Ethereum Demand Shock Is Inevitable

“Typically it truly is that straightforward,” Hougan wrote, echoing his lengthy‑standing thesis that, within the quick run, asset costs are dictated primarily by flows. He drew a direct parallel to bitcoin’s explosive efficiency following the launch of U.S. spot bitcoin ETPs in January 2024, when “ETPs, companies, and governments acquired greater than 1.5 million bitcoin, whereas the Bitcoin blockchain produced simply over 300,000.”

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The identical dynamic, he contends, has lastly taken maintain within the Ether market—solely extra forcefully. Between 15 Might and 20 July, spot Ether ETPs attracted more than $5 billion in web inflows, whereas a handful of publicly traded firms started stockpiling the token as a main treasury asset. Among the many most aggressive consumers:

• Bitmine Immersion Technologies (BMNR) amassed 300,657 ETH—about $1.13 billion at present costs—and declared an ambition “of acquiring 5 p.c of all ETH provide.”
• SharpLink Gaming (SBET) bought 280,706 ETH ($1.06 billion) and disclosed plans to boost an extra $6 billion for future acquisitions.
• Bit Digital (BTBT) liquidated its bitcoin reserves after elevating $170 million, redirecting the proceeds to greater than 100,000 ETH (roughly $375 million).
• The Ether Machine (DYNX) outlined an preliminary public providing constructed round a $1.6 billion Ether treasury.

In combination, ETPs and public firms purchased roughly 2.83 million Ether—valued at north of $10 billion—through the 9‑week stretch. Over the identical interval, the Ethereum community created solely about 88,000 ETH in new issuance, a ratio of demand to provide that Hougan calculates at 32 to 1. “No surprise the worth of ETH has soared,” he noticed.

Whether or not that strain continues is now the central query for buyers. Hougan’s reply is an unequivocal sure. He factors out that, even after the current shopping for spree, Ether stays underneath‑owned relative to bitcoin within the ETP market: Ether funds management lower than 12 p.c of the belongings held by bitcoin ETPs, regardless of ETH’s market capitalisation standing at roughly one‑fifth of BTC’s. “With all the thrill surrounding stablecoins and tokenization—that are primarily constructed on Ethereum—we predict that may change,” he stated, predicting billions of {dollars} in extra inflows “within the subsequent few months.”

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In the meantime, the economics of listed “crypto treasury” companies seem like self‑reinforcing. Shares of BMNR and SBET every commerce at practically twice the web worth of the Ether they maintain, a premium that incentivises administration groups to challenge fairness, increase capital, and buy nonetheless extra ETH. “So long as that is still true, you may guess Wall Avenue companies will funnel cash into extra ETH purchases,” Hougan wrote.

Bitwise initiatives that ETPs and treasury firms may soak up as a lot as $20 billion value of Ether—round 5.33 million cash at current costs—over the approaching yr. The protocol’s issuance schedule, in contrast, is predicted so as to add solely about 800,000 ETH to circulation throughout the identical window, implying a 7‑to‑1 imbalance.

“That’s an excellent greater ratio than we’ve seen for Bitcoin for the reason that spot ETPs launched,” Hougan stated.
Sceptics usually argue that Ether’s lengthy‑time period provide will not be capped in the best way bitcoin’s is, and that its valuation hinges on elements past easy shortage, reminiscent of community utilization and transaction charges. Hougan doesn’t dispute these factors however insists they’re secondary within the close to time period. “Within the quick time period, the worth of all the things is ready by provide and demand, and proper now, there may be extra demand for ETH than provide,” he concluded.

At press time, ETH traded at $3,703.

Featured picture created with DALL.E, chart from TradingView.com