Ethereum Leads Institutional Crypto Holdings
Ethereum has officially overtaken Bitcoin as the most held cryptocurrency among institutional treasuries. According to recent data, 4.1% of the total ETH supply is now held by institutions, compared to 3.6% for Bitcoin and 2.7% for Solana.
The shift marks a pivotal change in how large financial entities perceive Ethereum — not just as a cryptocurrency but as the foundational infrastructure for decentralized finance (DeFi).
The GENIUS Act and On-Chain Confidence
The rise in ETH holdings closely follows the signing of the GENIUS Act by U.S. President Donald Trump. The landmark legislation established a clearer regulatory framework for stablecoins and on-chain financial operations, boosting confidence among traditional financial institutions.
With this legal clarity, funds and corporations began accelerating their accumulation of Ethereum, viewing it as a strategic digital asset for financial settlement and tokenized markets.
Institutional Shift Toward DeFi Infrastructure
Analysts suggest that Ethereum’s dominance reflects its growing importance in powering decentralized applications, tokenized assets, and cross-border payments. Institutional portfolios now treat ETH as a productive, yield-bearing asset, underpinning much of the DeFi ecosystem.
Bitcoin remains a premier store of value, but the capital inflows into Ethereum indicate a broader institutional shift toward programmable finance and blockchain-based settlement systems.
Outlook for Solana and Other Networks
While Ethereum continues to attract major inflows, Solana has also emerged as a strong contender with its 2.7% share of institutional holdings. Its scalability and high transaction throughput appeal to funds exploring alternative layer-1 networks.
Experts predict continued growth across the sector as regulation evolves and on-chain finance gains mainstream acceptance. However, Ethereum’s lead underscores its unmatched position as the core infrastructure layer for institutional blockchain adoption.
