Ethereum vs. Bitcoin: Diverging Paths of Long-Term Holders
The behavior of long-term holders is a key indicator for understanding where we are in the market cycle. Here’s why: As prices rise, long-term holders start selling the assets they’ve accumulated over time. Historical data shows that this profit-taking usually begins in the early stages of a bull market and continues past the cycle peak. Monitoring this activity can help estimate market peaks with greater accuracy.
Given Bitcoin's significant influence over the rest of the market, it is often the most straightforward asset to use for measuring these cycles, as other cryptocurrencies tend to follow Bitcoin’s lead.
However, examining this data for Ethereum reveals an intriguing divergence. While long-term Bitcoin holders began selling in January, long-term Ethereum holders have continued to accumulate. This contrasts sharply with their behavior in the last cycle, where it closely mirrored that of Bitcoin holders.
The reason for this shift? Numerous yield opportunities have emerged for Ethereum, making it more profitable to hold. Currently, 27.5% of the total
ETH supply is staked, with 16.3% of this staked ETH being restaked through protocols like Eigenlayer. This highlights the strong appetite for native yield among ETH holders.
Additionally, long-term holders may be waiting for the Ethereum ETF approval and new all-time highs before deciding to sell.
Given Bitcoin's significant influence over the rest of the market, it is often the most straightforward asset to use for measuring these cycles, as other cryptocurrencies tend to follow Bitcoin’s lead.
However, examining this data for Ethereum reveals an intriguing divergence. While long-term Bitcoin holders began selling in January, long-term Ethereum holders have continued to accumulate. This contrasts sharply with their behavior in the last cycle, where it closely mirrored that of Bitcoin holders.
The reason for this shift? Numerous yield opportunities have emerged for Ethereum, making it more profitable to hold. Currently, 27.5% of the total
ETH supply is staked, with 16.3% of this staked ETH being restaked through protocols like Eigenlayer. This highlights the strong appetite for native yield among ETH holders.Additionally, long-term holders may be waiting for the Ethereum ETF approval and new all-time highs before deciding to sell.
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