- The ongoing cycle has seen a divergence in the performances of Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH).
- Glassnode attributes this to a weaker capital rotation trend, especially compared to previous cycles and all-time high breakthroughs.
- While Bitcoin has seen a surge in speculative activity, Ethereum has struggled to replicate this trend.
Bitcoin and Ethereum, two of the leading cryptocurrencies, have shown divergent trends in their performances. While Bitcoin has seen a surge in speculative activity, Ethereum has struggled to keep up, reflecting a weaker capital rotation trend.
Bitcoin Enjoys Strong Capital Inflows
Leading up to Bitcoin’s peak on March 14, Glassnode observed a surge in speculative activity. According to its latest on-chain weekly report, there was significant capital accumulation among short-term holders of Bitcoin. Approximately $240 billion in wealth was held in coins moved within the last six months, nearing peak levels. This trend, however, has not been mirrored by Ethereum, which has not even surpassed its 2021 all-time high level yet.
Ethereum’s Lackluster Performance
Ethereum’s Short-Term Holder (STH) Realized Cap has barely risen from its lows, indicating a notably lackluster influx of new capital. This shortage of new capital inflows is a reflection of Ethereum’s underperformance compared to Bitcoin. This could partly be due to the attention and accessibility brought about by spot Bitcoin ETFs. The market is still anticipating the SEC’s decision regarding the approval of a suite of Ethereum ETFs, which is expected by the end of May.
Ethereum’s Price Performance
Despite the lack of a catalyst, Ethereum’s overall uptrend seems to be one of the more resilient in history, with relatively shallow corrections so far. However, the altcoin has been struggling to move past $3,000. It tapped a multi-year peak of its own at almost $4,000 earlier this year but has failed to maintain its run and is now about a grand lower.
Conclusion
The divergence in the performances of Bitcoin and Ethereum is a reflection of the overall market trends and the impact of external factors such as the anticipation of Ethereum ETFs. While Bitcoin continues to enjoy strong capital inflows, Ethereum’s performance has been lackluster. However, the resilience of Ethereum’s overall uptrend suggests potential for future growth.