Ether (ETH) Exchanges Drops to Lowest Level Ever, ETFs May Boost Prices to New Highs

Over $3 billion worth of Ether (ETH) has been removed from centralized crypto exchanges since the approval of spot Ether exchange-traded funds (ETFs)

CoinChapter – Over $3 Billion in Ether Exits Exchanges After Spot ETF Approval

Yerevan, Armenia – More than $3 billion in Ether (CRYPTO: ETH) has left centralized crypto exchanges since the approval of spot Ether exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in the United States on May 23.

According to data from CryptoQuant, the exchange reserves of the second-largest cryptocurrency fell by around 797,000 ETH between May 23 and June 2 — valued at $3.02 billion at current prices.

This mass exodus of ETH from exchanges indicates a preference for long-term holding over short-term trading, as investors are moving their coins to self-custody. Lower exchange reserves also mean that fewer coins are available for sale.

Reserves at Lowest Level in Years

Data from Glassnode, shared by BTC-ECHO analyst Leon Waidmann, shows that the percentage of circulating Ether supply on exchanges is now at its lowest in years, at just 10.6%.

This decline in exchange reserves could have significant implications for the market. As more Ether is moved off exchanges, the reduced availability could lead to increased price volatility. With fewer coins available for trading, the market may experience sharper price movements.

Bloomberg ETF analyst Eric Balchunas said last week that there is a “legit possibility” that Ether ETFs will launch by late June. Some analysts believe that once these ETFs start trading, the increased demand could propel Ether to break its November 2021 all-time high of $4,870.

The launch of spot Ether ETFs is expected to attract a lot of investor interest, similar to what happened with Bitcoin ETFs in January. BitMEX Research showed that Bitwise’s BITB had the highest inflows on the first day with $237.9 million, followed by Fidelity’s FBTC with $227 million, and BlackRock’s IBIT with $111.7 million.

In a May 28 report, crypto and DeFi analysis firm Messari's Michael Nadeau said that Ether could benefit even further from demand pressures compared to Bitcoin. Unlike Bitcoin miners, who must sell BTC to cover mining costs, Ethereum validators do not face the same operating expenses. This dynamic could create a scenario where Ether demand outpaces supply.

However, there are concerns about the potential impact of Grayscale's Ethereum Trust (ETHE), which manages $11 billion in funds. If ETHE follows the pattern of the Grayscale Bitcoin Trust (CRYPTO: GBTC), which saw $6.5 billion in outflows in the first month after approval, it could influence Ether's price action.

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