Although Ethereum’s price performance in 2025 did not meet market expectations, some industry experts believe that solely focusing on ETH prices may cause us to miss more significant structural changes. Kevin Rusher, founder of RAAC, pointed out that Ethereum’s true growth momentum is gradually emerging in stablecoins, tokenized assets, and institutional-grade payment applications, with 2026 potentially becoming a critical turning point.
From a price perspective, Ethereum experienced an overall decline of nearly 10% in 2025, which once led to cautious market sentiment. However, after January 2026, ETH showed signs of stabilization and rebound, with the price climbing back above the $3,000 mark. Short-term fluctuations still exist, but Rusher believes that prices do not fully reflect Ethereum’s current true development stage.
He emphasized that institutional investors are accelerating their adoption of the Ethereum network, especially in stablecoin issuance and settlement. Data shows that during the holiday season, the total value of stablecoins on the Ethereum network exceeded $59 billion, accounting for over 62% of the market share, significantly leading other mainstream blockchains. This trend continues to solidify Ethereum’s position in institutional-grade financial infrastructure.
In the realm of real-world asset tokenization (RWA), Ethereum’s advantages are even more apparent. Currently, the tokenized assets on Ethereum amount to approximately $12.5 billion, holding over 65% of the market share, far surpassing competing networks like BNB Chain, Solana, and Arbitrum. The rapid growth of tokenized gold trading is particularly notable, with related transaction volumes rising from $1 billion at the beginning of the year to over $4 billion, almost entirely concentrated within the Ethereum ecosystem.
Fund flows also confirm that institutional preferences are changing. In 2025, capital inflows into Bitcoin slowed significantly compared to the previous year, while inflows into Ethereum doubled. Multiple studies show that the proportion of asset management institutions holding Ethereum is now comparable to Bitcoin, with its share in some institutional portfolios continuing to increase.
Overall, the price slump of Ethereum in 2025 did not weaken its core position in stablecoins, RWA, and payments. As institutional funds continue to deploy and application scenarios expand, ETH’s fundamentals are undergoing profound changes. If this trend continues, 2026 could become a pivotal year for the market to reprice Ethereum’s value.
Disclaimer: The information on this page may come from third parties and does not represent the views or opinions of Gate. The content displayed on this page is for reference only and does not constitute any financial, investment, or legal advice. Gate does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information and shall not be liable for any losses arising from the use of this information. Virtual asset investments carry high risks and are subject to significant price volatility. You may lose all of your invested principal. Please fully understand the relevant risks and make prudent decisions based on your own financial situation and risk tolerance. For details, please refer to
Disclaimer.
Related Articles
BlackRock "Ethereum Staking ETF" Makes a Splash! First Day Trading Volume Exceeds $15.5 Million
BlackRock's "iShares Ethereum Staking Trust ETF (ETHB)" achieved first-day trading volume exceeding $15.5 million, marking a milestone for institutional capital entering Ethereum. This ETF holds Ethereum and conducts staking, providing investors with price appreciation and staking rewards. ETHB is expected to stake 70% to 95% of its Ethereum holdings, with 82% of yields distributed monthly to holders.
区块客17m ago
BlackRock transferred 567 BTC and 22,657 ETH to a certain CEX, with a total value exceeding $94 million
Gate News reports that on March 17, according to Onchain Lens monitoring, asset management firm BlackRock deposited 567 BTC to a certain CEX, valued at approximately $41.78 million, while simultaneously transferring in 22,657 ETH, valued at approximately $52.40 million. The total value of both transfers exceeded $94 million.
GateNews1h ago
Bitmine Buys 60,999 ETH, Boosts Treasury to $11.5B
Bitmine purchased 60,999 ETH this week, raising total holdings to 4.59M ETH worth about $11.5B.
Around 3.04M ETH is staked across its validators, generating about $180M in annualized rewards.
The firm is nearing its 5% ETH supply target while expanding validator and equity investments.
Bit
CryptoFrontNews1h ago
South Korean Police Plan to Establish Guidelines for Seizing Privacy Coins; Virtual Assets Confiscated Over Past Five Years Valued at 545 Billion Won
The Korean National Police Agency is developing new virtual asset seizure management guidelines, incorporating handling of privacy coins for the first time. The new regulations will clarify software wallet management, address virtual asset custody gaps, and improve law enforcement efficiency. Police plan to designate private custodian institutions, while experts recommend establishing a centralized public custody mechanism to reduce risks. This reform has been prompted by recent Bitcoin theft incidents, driving the management system's transition toward the digital asset era.
区块客1h ago
