Ethereum has officially surpassed Mastercard to become the world’s 22nd largest asset by market capitalization, a clear sign of cryptocurrency’s deepening integration into global finance. Its market cap reached $568.06 billion, overtaking Mastercard’s $541.46 billion. The milestone came as Ethereum surged to a new all-time high of $4,877, fueled by optimism after the Federal Reserve signaled possible interest rate cuts.
Institutional demand continues to drive Ethereum’s rise. ETFs centered on the cryptocurrency have seen nearly $3 billion in inflows in August alone, with BlackRock’s iShares Ethereum Trust and Fidelity’s Ethereum Fund leading the charge. Analysts now suggest that Ethereum is being recognized as the “backbone of future financial markets,” drawing strong attention from traditional finance.
Companies are also taking notice. SharpLink Gaming, one of the largest corporate holders of Ethereum, recently announced a $1.5 billion stock buyback program to support its ETH treasury strategy, holding roughly 740,000 ETH valued at about $3.2 billion. This growing corporate adoption highlights Ethereum’s transformation from a speculative asset to a strategic financial instrument.
Ethereum’s rapid 90% rally over the last 60 days has outperformed Bitcoin and other major cryptocurrencies, reinforcing bullish sentiment. Trading now around $4,718, Ethereum reflects the broader shift toward digital assets as central banks lean toward more accommodative monetary policies. With analysts predicting price targets between $10,000 and $20,000 this cycle, Ethereum’s influence on the global financial landscape is only set to deepen.
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