On Tuesday, Ethereum reached an all-time high of over $4,820 (£3,570). However, the currency took a dip and slipped marginally back to around $4,750 (£2,520).
Ethereum, known as the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency behind Bitcoin, continues to sustain strong progress. Since late July, following the crash after May’s peak, Ethereum has grown solidly since.
A mysterious question one may ask is: what is behind its rise? And what do experts anticipate could happen in the future? Here is what you need to know.
Why is Ethereum Rising?
Sam Kopelman, UK director of Cryptocurrency Exchange and Wallet Luno, stated that Ethereum is keeping pace with Bitcoin’s earnings.
Kopelman said positively that it’s been a good start to the week for the crypto markets. With Bitcoin and Ether both climbing to new all-time-highs on Tuesday morning.
“Bitcoin’s move took place after a strengthening period of 17 days within the $58,000 to $64,000 range. Hot on the heels of Bitcoin, Ether has risen 8 per cent over the last seven days – now adding at the same rate as Bitcoin. “
One reason for the rising prices is the increased interest in decentralized finance, or DeFi.
This is a new trend that aims to create fiscal applications like lending and trading on the blockchain.
There is also a lot of interest in non-fungible tokens (NFTs) — digital media and assets that are largely built on Ethereum’s network.
There is also a lot of media focus on cryptocurrencies right now. This tends to lead to increased investment, which in turn leads to rising prices.
The launch of the first US Bitcoin futures-based exchange-traded fund (ETF) also lifted the crypto market, which opened last month.
Investing in ETF
To put it simply, an ETF allows people to invest in something without having to purchase it, similar to buying shares in a company.
As Investopedia explains, “an exchange-traded fund (ETF) is a type of security that tracks an indicated sector, commodity, or other asset, but it is available for purchase or selling on a stock exchange the same way a regular stock can.”
An ETF can be designed to track anything from the price of an individual product to a large and diverse collection of securities.
They allow people to purchase a slice of a diversified portfolio rather than a single asset.
They also open the market to far more, and potentially far larger investors, who may have been unwilling to purchase coins through crypto exchanges. This can sometimes get complications and is perilous. The ETF allows investors to receive Bitcoin in a more conventional manner.
Matt Senter, chief technology officer for Bitcoin rewards app Lolli, told The Independent: “A Bitcoin ETF will provide even more exposure to Bitcoin for those who are possibly more watchful about buying it directly from an exchange.”
By allowing individuals to invest in Bitcoin through ETFs that track its underlying value, investors can become familiar with Bitcoin while fielding aspects of the ownership experience that may be daunting to crypto novices, such as piloting exchanges, wallets, and private keys. “
When Bitcoin rises, other cryptocurrencies tend to rise too.
Prediction on Ethereum Price
Some experts believe Ethereum has a chance to one day surpass Bitcoin and become the world’s leading cryptocurrency.
Rahul Rai, the co-head of market neutral at Block Tower Capital, told Insider: “I definitely think there’s a really good chance for Ether to surpass Bitcoin. It would not surprise me if it happened within the cycle.
“It is very tough to predict when this cycle will end. My take is mid-next year. “
Regarding Ethereum’s link to DeFi and NFTs, Mr. Rai said: “Ethereum is trying to power the rails of all of global finance in the future, and that is a much bigger market if it does succeed.
If it does succeed, and if the thesis plays out, then the market value is going to capture trillions of dollars in global activity.
Is Cryptocurrency Worth Investing?
It’s probably one of the most common questions investors tend to ask. It would be correct to state that such investing is done at your own risk. British financial authorities do not regulate cryptocurrencies.
All crypto investments are risky. But meme coins like Shiba Inu are particularly unpredictable. You should prepare to lose everything you invest.
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) warned in January: “Investing in crypto assets, or investments and lending linked to them, generally involves taking very high risks with investors’ money.”
If consumers invest in these types of products, they should prepare to lose all their money.
Senior investment and markets analyst, Susannah Streeter, of Hargreaves Lansdown, explains the risks.
Streeter said, “On top of being extremely unpredictable, limited are most cryptocurrencies. This not only adds subcaste and nebulosity, but it also implies that investors have little or no protection against fraud.”
