Ethereum is gaining momentum after being labeled a mature blockchain under the CLARITY Act.
Rising Layer 2 activity and ETF inflows are driving strong institutional interest in ETH.

Ethereum’s price has gained over 25% in the past week, now trading above $3,800. The move reflects a broader return of institutional interest in Ether, marked by rising ETF inflows and large-scale purchases by crypto whales. Analysts suggest this renewed activity could start a longer rally, with targets as high as $10,000 by late 2025.

Whale data supports the momentum. A newly created wallet staked 4,200 ETH worth $16 million, while another whale spent 50 million USDT to purchase 13,500 ETH. These actions have played a part in driven Ether’s 30-day gain to nearly 80%, signaling strong confidence among high-value holders.

The second activity, layer 2, also adds to the narrative. Networks like Arbitrum, Optimism, and Base are processing increasing volumes, highlighting Ethereum’s expanding utility and scalability. The ETH/BTC pair hit 0.031 BTC, the highest since January, suggesting Ether is outperforming Bitcoin on a relative basis.

Mature Blockchain Status and Staking Products Push ETH Further

The CLARITY Act recently classified Ethereum, Bitcoin, and Cardano as “mature” blockchains based on decentralization and token distribution. This label has spurred new investment and further legitimized ETH in the eyes of U.S. institutions.

Ethereum’s appeal has also grown due to the introduction of staking-related products. Staked Ethereum ETFs now allow investors to earn yield without managing their own wallets. The approach lowers the entry barrier for traditional investors and supports demand growth without increasing the circulating supply.

Additionally, the Strategic ETH Reserve now holds over $2.5 billion worth of Ether, pointing to a trend of treasury-based accumulation. Some institutions are starting to treat Ethereum as a long-term store of value, similar to how Bitcoin has been positioned in previous cycles.

Correction Still Possible, But Analysts Remain Bullish

While momentum is strong, analysts warn that a short-term correction could follow. Historical data shows ETH often retraces after significant rallies. A 25% decline could send the price back to the $2,900 support range. According to analyst follis, that level may offer a textbook bullish retest before continuation.

Back in April/May, $ETH went +100% in 60 days

After that it pulled back -26%

Now $ETH has gone +80% in 30 days

A similar pullback (-25%) would see us retest the key 2.9k midrange level

If that happens, you buy with your eyes closed pic.twitter.com/vemW822kbj

— フ ォ リ ス (@follis_) July 20, 2025

Tom Lee from Fundstrat predicts that Ethereum will reach between $10,000 and $15,000 by the end of 2025. His outlook is based on ETH’s network effect, usage growth, and its similarities to scalable software businesses. The rising demand for tokenized assets and ETH’s ability to facilitate financial products may continue to attract traditional finance participants.

With ETF inflows now outpacing token issuance, ETH’s supply-demand structure appears primed for upward movement. As long as institutional capital flows remain steady, Ethereum could challenge and surpass its all-time high of $4,878.

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Filed under: Bitcoin - @ July 21, 2025 9:19 am