The spike in ether versus bitcoin can be attributed to the Ethereum network’s decentralized finance, or DeFi, capabilities with services like lender Compound, said Matthew Ficke, head of market development for cryptocurrency exchange OkCoin.
“ETH/BTC as a trading pair is interesting as it is up,” Ficke told CoinDesk.“There is some growing market discussion around Compound’s recent success driving more interest in DeFi applications, the majority of which run on ether, which is strengthening its price.”