Institutional investors have acquired 1% of Ethereum’s total supply since June 2025, driven by a combination of ETF inflows, staking yields, and decentralized finance (DeFi) opportunities, according to reports from Standard Chartered and other market analysts [1][2]. This accumulation, led by firms such as BitMine Immersion Technologies, Sharplink, and Ether Machine, has contributed to Ethereum’s outperformance against Bitcoin in recent months [1][3]. BitMine, the largest corporate holder, now holds 625,000 ETH—0.52% of the circulating supply—and has announced plans to increase its holdings to 5% of the total supply through a $1 billion stock repurchase program [1]. Sharplink, a Nasdaq-listed firm, executed a $259 million acquisition of 79,949 ETH in a single transaction, solidifying its position as the second-largest public Ethereum treasury entity [3]. Ether Machine, a newer entrant, aims to establish a $1.5 billion institutional ETH yield fund targeting over 400,000 ETH, further underscoring growing corporate confidence in Ethereum’s utility [3].

Standard Chartered analysts have forecasted that corporate ownership could reach 10% of the circulating Ether supply if current accumulation trends persist [1][2]. This projection is based on the unique advantages Ethereum offers compared to Bitcoin, including staking rewards and DeFi participation, which are inaccessible to U.S. Ethereum ETFs [1]. Despite Ethereum trading 21% below its 2021 peak of $4,890, the bank maintains a bullish year-end price target of $4,000, citing robust network activity and open interest as potential catalysts for further gains [1]. However, some market participants caution that overbought conditions may trigger a short-term correction to $3,000, echoing a May sell-off pattern [3].

The surge in institutional demand contrasts with Bitcoin-focused treasuries, as Ethereum investors have doubled their investment pace since June [2]. This dynamic has been amplified by Ethereum’s role in yield-generating activities, with corporate treasuries leveraging staking and DeFi protocols to enhance returns [1]. Meanwhile, Ether Machine’s proposed listing under the ticker “ETHM” highlights a broader trend of institutional innovation in crypto asset management [1].

Source:[1] Firms Accelerate Ether Supply Accumulation in 2025,[https://coincentral.com/standard-chartered-firms-accelerate-ether-supply-accumulation-in-2025] [2] Corporations To Acquire 10% Of Ether Supply As…, [https://www.zerohedge.com/crypto/corporations-have-acquired-1-ether-supply-stanchart-sees-growth-10] [3] Ethereum Price News, [https://cointelegraph.com/tags/ethereum-price]