The crypto market is overlooking the potential of spot **Ethereum (ETH)** exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in the US, according to Steno Research. They predict **$15-20 billion** in net inflows into these ETFs within the first year, driving **ETH** prices up to **$6,500** by year's end. **This bullish forecast** is based on the idea that **ETH's qualities appeal to Wall Street** and its relatively smaller market capitalization means inflows will have a **greater impact on price**. Other analysts are less bullish, with Galaxy Research expecting **$5 billion** in inflows over five months and Bitwise predicting **$15 billion** over 18 months. These **spot ETH ETFs** are expected to begin trading in the US shortly, potentially as early as next week, following SEC approval.  The report also highlights the strengthening **ETH/BTC** ratio, which is expected to reach **0.065** later this year.

The crypto market is being overly pessimistic about the imminent launch of spot ether ETFs in the U.S. and net inflows could hit $20 billion in the first year, Steno Research said.

FinanceEther to Hit $6.5K Later This Year Driven by Inflows Into Spot ETFs: AnalystThe crypto market is being overly pessimistic about the imminent launch of spot ether ETFs in the U.S. and net inflows could hit $20 billion in the first year, Steno Research said.By Will CannyJun 28, 2024 at 7:03 a.m. UTCUpdated Jun 28, 2024 at 7:05 a.m. UTCShare on FacebookShare on LinkedInShare on XEther to hit $6,500 later this year driven by inflows into spot ETFs: analyst (Rob Mitchell)Share on FacebookShare on LinkedInShare on XSteno Research predicts net inflows of $15-20 billion into ether spot ETFs in the first 12 months.Ether is expected to hit $6,500 later this year due to strong ETF inflows and other positive factors, the report said.Galaxy Research estimates $5 billion of net inflows to spot ether ETFs in the first five months, Bitwise expects $15 billion of inflows in the initial 18 months.UnmuteEther Sees Strongest Bull Momentum in 3 Years12:10Former SEC Senior Trial Counsel on Spot Ether ETF Approval Outlook12:10Former SEC Senior Trial Counsel on Spot Ether ETF Approval Outlook00:53Staking Has Been a Major Liquidity Sink for ETH: Coinbase Institutional12:23Crypto Update | Is Coinbase's Influence in the Bitcoin ETF Market Cause for Concern?The crypto market is being overly pessimistic about the imminent launch of spot ether (ETH) exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in the U.S. and net inflows could hit $20 billion in the first year as the cryptocurrency has qualities that appeal to Wall Street, Steno Research said in a report on Thursday.“We continue to forecast a net inflow between $15 billion and $20 billion in the first 12 months, even considering the outflow from the Grayscale Ethereum Trust (ETHE),” senior analyst Mads Eberhardt wrote, adding that this should drive the value of ether higher, in dollar terms and also relative to bitcoin (BTC).Ether is predicted to reach at least $6,500 later this year due to these expected inflows to spot ETFs, plus additional tailwinds, the report said.Spot ether ETFs are on the cusp of becoming available for trading in the U.S. after the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) greenlighted filings from issuers last month. Once the S-1 filings are approved the new products will start trading, and this could happen as soon as next week according to reports.If the estimated spot ether ETF inflows are correct, the ether/bitcoin ratio should strengthen to 0.065 later this year, Steno said.“A smaller inflow into ether ETFs compared to bitcoin ETFs will have a greater impact on ether due to its lower market capitalization and substantially poorer liquidity,” and as a result of this inflows into ETH spot ETFS are more likely to surprise to the upside than the downside, the report added.Steno is more bullish on the outlook for spot ether ETFs flows than others. Galaxy (GLXY) Research said spot ether ETFs could see $5 billion of net inflows in the first five months. Asset Manager Bitwise predicted $15 billion of net inflows in the first 18 months.Read more: Ether Spot ETFs Could See $5B of Net Inflows in the First Five Months: GalaxyEdited by Parikshit Mishra.DisclosurePlease note that our privacy policy, terms of use, cookies, and do not sell my personal information has been updated.CoinDesk is an award-winning media outlet that covers the cryptocurrency industry. Its journalists abide by a strict set of editorial policies. In November 2023, CoinDesk was acquired by the Bullish group, owner of Bullish, a regulated, digital assets exchange. The Bullish group is majority-owned by Block.one; both companies have interests in a variety of blockchain and digital asset businesses and significant holdings of digital assets, including bitcoin. CoinDesk operates as an independent subsidiary with an editorial committee to protect journalistic independence. CoinDesk employees, including journalists, may receive options in the Bullish group as part of their compensation.Will CannyWill Canny is CoinDesk's finance reporter.Read more aboutEtherETFs

Ether to Hit $6.5K Later This Year Driven by Inflows Into Spot ETFs: Analyst

Ethereum (ETH) Price to Surge to $6,500 on Spot ETF Inflows: Analyst

XRP has climbed 3% past $1.47, extending a breakout from a multi-month consolidation range. This move comes as part of a broader bitcoin-led rally, with trading volume spiking more than 250% during the surge.

![XRP Price Chart](https://www.coindesk.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.sanity.io%2Fimages%2Fs3y3vcno%2Fproduction%2Fa0ce98abe6f0c01a430f2ad798c32d03e5a5e86d-1082x666.png%3Fauto%3Dformat&w=3840&q=75)

## What to Know
- **XRP broke above a long-standing resistance around $1.426** after months of sideways trading, shifting short-term momentum in favor of buyers.
- The move, which lifted the token from about $1.41 to $1.47 on surging volume, comes as activity and tokenized real-world assets on the XRP Ledger continue to climb.
- Traders are watching whether XRP can hold support near $1.43–$1.44, with a sustained base there opening the door to a push toward $1.50–$1.55, while a drop back below $1.43 could send it toward $1.39–$1.40.

## News Background
- XRP's latest move comes after several months of sideways trading, where the token repeatedly failed to sustain rallies above the mid-$1.40 area.
- The breakout marks the first clear move above that ceiling since early 2026, shifting short-term momentum toward buyers.
- While the price advance lacked a clear XRP-specific catalyst, activity on the XRP Ledger has continued to rise.
- Tokenized real-world assets on the network recently climbed sharply, with the value of tokenized commodities approaching **$1.14 billion** during the first quarter.

## Price Action Summary
- XRP rose from about $1.41 to $1.47 during the latest 24-hour session.
- The token broke through the **$1.426 resistance zone** that capped previous rallies.
- Trading volume spiked to roughly **170 million tokens** during the breakout.
- XRP traded within a roughly 5% intraday range.

## Technical Analysis
The key development was the breakout above $1.426, which had acted as a ceiling throughout recent consolidation. Once the level cleared on strong volume, price accelerated quickly toward the $1.47 area.

Short-term charts show a sequence of higher lows forming after the breakout, suggesting buyers are attempting to turn the former resistance zone into support.

Momentum remains constructive while XRP holds above roughly $1.43. The next technical barrier sits near the **$1.48–$1.50 area**, where previous rallies have stalled.

## What Traders Say Is Next
Traders are now focused on whether XRP can maintain support above the **$1.43–$1.44 breakout level**.

If that zone holds, the token could extend the move toward $1.50 and potentially the $1.55 region as momentum builds.

However, a drop back below $1.43 would weaken the breakout and could pull XRP back toward the previous consolidation range near $1.39–$1.40.

Volume jumped more than 250% during the move, with traders watching whether former resistance now turns into support.

XRP Surges Past $1.47: Breakout Extends as Bitcoin Leads Broad Crypto Rally

In 2025, a combination of the Fed's interest rate cuts, the Trump Administration's crypto-friendly policies, and the launch of new spot price exchange-traded funds (ETFs) drove several top cryptocurrencies to their all-time highs. However, after peaking in the fourth quarter, the crypto market cooled off again in the first quarter of 2026. Concerns about fewer rate cuts, geopolitical conflicts, and other macro headwinds pushed investors toward more conservative investments.

Despite this volatility, buying more cryptocurrencies might seem risky, but investors who seize the opportunity during the recent market swoon could reap big profits in the next bull run. **Bitcoin (BTC)**, **Ether (ETH)**, and **Solana (SOL)** stand out as top picks for this strategy.

![A digital illustration of a cryptocurrency on a blockchain.](https://g.foolcdn.com/image/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fg.foolcdn.com%2Feditorial%2Fimages%2F860664%2Fa-block-labeled-crypto-on-a-digital-screen.jpg&w=3840&op=resize)
*Image source: Getty Images.*

## Why Are Bitcoin, Ether, and Solana the Top Tokens?

**Bitcoin**, the world's most valuable cryptocurrency, is still mined using the energy-intensive **proof-of-work (PoW)** consensus mechanism. Its supply is capped at 21 million tokens, with nearly 20 million already mined. Mining rewards are halved every four years, making it increasingly difficult to mine profitably. This scarcity makes Bitcoin more comparable to gold, silver, and other commodities, positioning it as a hedge against inflation and the devaluation of fiat currencies.

**Ether**, the world's second-most-valuable cryptocurrency, operates on a **proof-of-stake (PoS)** mechanism and cannot be mined. Instead, it can be staked (locked up on the Ethereum blockchain) to earn interest-like rewards. Ether supports **smart contracts**, which are essential for developing decentralized apps and other crypto assets. With 31,869 active developers at the end of 2025, Ethereum boasts the largest blockchain-based developer ecosystem. As this ecosystem expands, Ether's value is expected to rise, even though it lacks a hard supply limit like Bitcoin.

**Solana**, the world's seventh-most-valuable cryptocurrency, is worth buying because it runs the world's fastest PoS blockchain. It achieves these higher speeds by integrating its own **proof-of-history (PoH)** mechanism, which timestamps transactions before validation. Like Ethereum, Solana supports staking and smart contracts. At the end of 2025, it had 17,708 active developers, placing it second after Ethereum, but it is gaining new developers at a much faster rate.

## Why Will These Three Tokens Outperform Their Peers?

Over the next few years, many smaller altcoins may fade away if they lack long-term advantages. In contrast, Bitcoin can be valued by its scarcity, while Ether and Solana can be valued by the growth of their decentralized developer ecosystems. Additionally, Ether and Solana's staking yields will likely gain more attention as interest rates decline. Although these three tokens might remain volatile this year, they are all worth accumulating as the bulls look the other way.

*Leo Sun has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.*

Bitcoin, Ether, and Solana are all worth buying before the bulls return.

Unlock Massive Gains: Why Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana Are Your Best Bets for the Next Bull Run

## Crypto Industry's New Political Strategy

The **cryptocurrency industry** has adopted a controversial new tactic against political candidates who support consumer protections for digital assets: labeling them as corrupt.

In two key Illinois congressional primaries, a crypto political action committee called **Fairshake PAC** is spending millions to attack Democratic candidates who voted for cryptocurrency regulations. The PAC has already invested **$3.3 million** in negative advertising against state Sen. Robert Peters and state Rep. La Shawn K. Ford, according to analysis from a Chicago political consultant.

## The Anti-Corruption Irony

Jeff Hauser of the Revolving Door Project, a crypto industry critic, noted the irony: "We're in a very anti-corruption moment, and you know that is true because one of the most corrupt actors in the country is trying to appropriate an anti-corruption argument."

Both targeted candidates supported Illinois' **Digital Assets and Consumer Protection Act**, which requires crypto companies to register with the state and comply with local regulations to serve Illinois residents. The industry has long opposed such state-level regulations, preferring looser federal oversight.

## The Attacks in Detail

### Against Robert Peters

Fairshake mailers accuse Peters of being a **"corporate pawn"** and **"bankrolled by special interests"** based on his campaign contributions. Peters, who is endorsed by progressive icons Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, responded: "It was paid for by Trump's top donors, to make sure they buy a lapdog in this congressional seat who will let them avoid all regulation."

Two of Peters' opponents, Jesse Jackson Jr. and Donna Miller, have received **A ratings** from industry group Stand With Crypto for promising to pass industry-friendly legislation.

### Against La Shawn K. Ford

Ford has been targeted with **$2.5 million** in attack ads, including television spots highlighting a 2012 bank fraud indictment that was ultimately reduced to a misdemeanor tax charge. Local media have called the ads **misleading**, and Ford's campaign has sent Fairshake a cease-and-desist letter.

"I think that it's slander," Ford told The Intercept. "They are misleading voters. Even though they know that the Department of Justice dropped those charges, and yet they mislead voters."

## The Trump Connection

Ford noted that industry figures including **Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong** have worked closely with former President Donald Trump to secure favorable regulations. Coinbase donated **$1 million** to Trump's inaugural fund in December 2024 and has contributed to Trump's White House ballroom project.

"It's funny, because they are cronies with Donald Trump and they want to say that I'm not fit to go to Congress," Ford said. "Yet Donald Trump was actually convicted on 34 counts, and they support him for president."

Fairshake declined to comment on the attacks.

A crypto PAC smeared one Bernie Sanders-backed Illinois progressive as a “corporate pawn” and spent millions calling another a tax cheat.

Crypto PAC's $3.3M Attack on Illinois Progressives: How Big Money Targets Consumer Protection Advocates

Bitcoin was the first asset to react to the Iran war, dropping 8.5% when U.S. and Israel launched attacks on a Saturday, as it was the only liquid market open. Two weeks later, it has outperformed gold, the S&P 500, Asian equities, and the Korean stock market. Only oil and the dollar have done better, both direct beneficiaries of the conflict.

![Bitcoin performance chart](https://www.coindesk.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.sanity.io%2Fimages%2Fs3y3vcno%2Fproduction%2F703ba56c0573be3927cbbde718f261bee4e9b472-1464x1366.png%3Fauto%3Dformat&w=3840&q=75)

Bitcoin's **safe-haven status**, once contested, seems back in investors' minds. It's acting as the fastest shock absorber in global markets, with escalations getting bigger while drawdowns shrink. The pattern is clear: each selloff finds buyers at higher levels.

- On Feb. 28, the initial strikes bottomed at **$64,000**.
- On March 2, after Iran's retaliation, the floor was **$66,000**.
- By March 7, the low was **$68,000**.
- After tanker attacks on March 12, it held **$69,400**.
- After Kharg Island on Saturday, the low was **$70,596**.

![Bitcoin price floor chart](https://www.coindesk.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.sanity.io%2Fimages%2Fs3y3vcno%2Fproduction%2Fb78c7405d2d627fcf842ac2be7a7660becf38301-1382x1082.png%3Fauto%3Dformat&w=3840&q=75)

In simpler terms, each selloff finds buyers at a higher level than the last. The trendline of **higher lows** has been rising by roughly $1,000-$2,000 per event, compressing the range from below, while $73,000-$74,000 holds as a ceiling that has rejected bitcoin four times. This compression must resolve: either the floor catches the ceiling and bitcoin breaks above $74,000, or the pattern breaks.

## Holding Strong

The most striking part is bitcoin's performance relative to other assets over the same two weeks. Oil is up more than **40%** since the war began. The S&P 500 is down. Gold has been volatile. Asian equities had their worst week since March 2020.

![Asset comparison chart](https://www.coindesk.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.sanity.io%2Fimages%2Fs3y3vcno%2Fproduction%2F9715da74510c729f1c07bee1416f7e4b55ec6474-1424x1050.png%3Fauto%3Dformat&w=3840&q=75)

This doesn't mean bitcoin is suddenly a safe haven—it still sells on every headline—but it recovers faster each time, and each recovery holds at a higher level. The contrast with earlier this year is sharp: in early February, a liquidation cascade wiped out $2.5 billion in leveraged positions, but it appears to have cleared out weak hands, leaving a leaner market that absorbs war headlines without forced selling.

The macro overlay adds context. Trump spared oil infrastructure on Iran's Kharg Island "for reasons of decency" but threatened reconsideration if Iran blocks the Strait of Hormuz. Iran responded with retaliatory threats. This conditional threat is new and could worsen supply disruptions.

Bitcoin's adaptation to the war tells traders something about this market: it's not a haven and not purely a risk asset. It has become a **24/7 liquidity pool** that absorbs shocks faster than anything else because it's the only thing trading when shocks arrive.

Each escalation in the Iran conflict has been larger than the last, but each bitcoin drawdown has been getting smaller.

Ethereum (ETH) Price to Surge to $6,500 on Spot ETF Inflows: Analyst

Summary:

Steno Research predicts $15-20 billion in net inflows into spot Ethereum (ETH) ETFs in the first year.

ETH is predicted to reach at least $6,500 later this year driven by these expected inflows.

Spot ETH ETFs are expected to start trading in the US shortly, potentially as early as next week.

The ETH/BTC ratio is expected to strengthen to 0.065 later this year.

Steno is more bullish than other analysts, with Galaxy Research predicting $5 billion in inflows over five months and Bitwise predicting $15 billion over 18 months.

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XRP Surges Past $1.47: Breakout Extends as Bitcoin Leads Broad Crypto Rally

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Other Latest News

XRP Surges Past $1.47: Breakout Extends as Bitcoin Leads Broad Crypto Rally

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Crypto PAC's $3.3M Attack on Illinois Progressives: How Big Money Targets Consumer Protection Advocates

Bitcoin's Resilience Shines: War Escalations Trigger Smaller Selloffs as Price Floors Rise