Jim Cramer Claims ETH Was “Bid Up” Before ETF Debut

As a seasoned financial analyst with over two decades of experience in the industry, I have witnessed numerous groundbreaking events that reshaped the financial landscape. The debut of Ethereum exchange-traded funds (ETFs) on U.S. markets is one such event that has piqued my interest and raised several questions.


The historic introduction of Ethereum-backed exchange-traded funds (ETFs) on US markets has generated significant buzz, capturing the interest of investors, financial analysts, and media figures like CNBC’s Jim Cramer. With their arrival comes a blend of anticipation, doubt, and potential market fluctuations.

Jim Cramer’s Observations To Initial Trading

Jim Cramer, the renowned CNBC host, has made an intriguing observation concerning Ethereum’s recent price trend in response to the introduction of spot Ethereum exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in the US markets. According to Cramer, “The drop in ETH‘s price is merely evidence of how excessively it had been driven up” – implying that the digital currency’s value had experienced unnatural inflation due to heightened anticipation surrounding the ETF debut.

As a financial analyst, I’m excited to report that on Tuesday morning at 9:30 a.m. EST, Ethereum-based Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) commenced trading in the United States for the very first time. The SEC’s approval, granted on Monday afternoon, signified the effective registration of these funds, granting them the green light to start trading on prominent U.S. exchanges. With this development, Ethereum ETFs now join the ranks of other major cryptocurrencies available for investment in the American marketplace.

As a researcher, I’ve come across Jim Cramer’s observation of a selloff in Ethereum ETFs, but upon closer examination of the initial trading volumes, the situation appears to be more complex than it seems at first glance. In the first hour of U.S. trading, the reported transaction volume for spot Ethereum ETFs surpassed $100 million. According to Eric Balchunas’ data, Grayscale’s ETHE is currently leading the way with a substantial trading volume of approximately $39.7 million.

Notable performers among the newly launched Ethereum-based exchange-traded funds (ETFs) include Bitwise’s ETHW, which saw a trading volume of $25.5 million during its first hour, closely matched by BlackRock’s ETHA with $22.5 million. Fidelity’s FETH also demonstrated strong performance with $15.2 million in trading activity within the specified timeframe.

Potential Risks and Market Impact

As a researcher studying the Ethereum Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF) landscape in the US, I’ve come across a significant concern raised by VanEck advisor Gabor Gurbacs. He’s voiced his apprehension regarding the potential risks associated with most spot Ethereum ETF issuers relying on Coinbase as their asset custodian. This heavy concentration of funds with a single custodian could potentially lead to systemic risks or market vulnerabilities if something were to happen to Coinbase.

The SEC’s approval of Ethereum ETF listings on the spot market has significantly boosted investor confidence, highlighting the importance of this milestone for the Ethereum and broader cryptocurrency community.

The arrival of these Ethereum-based Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) signifies a significant advancement for Ethereum and the cryptocurrency sector at large. These funds offer investors an opportunity to invest in Ethereum using conventional financial channels, expanding accessibility and liquidity. Nevertheless, as Cramer’s remarks and Gurbacs’ warnings indicate, the market response to this innovation might prove to be more intricate than initially assumed.

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2024-07-23 19:52