ETH Long-Term Holders Rise in 2024 as BTC Holders Decline According to data from IntoTheBlock , the number of long-term Ether (ETH) holders increased significantly throughout 2024, climbing from 59% in January to 75% by December . Conversely, Bitcoin (BTC) long-term holders saw a decline, falling from 70% to 62% over the same period. This shift highlights growing investor confidence in ETH heading into 2025, driven by Ethereum’s evolving ecosystem and market dynamics. Why Are More Investors Holding ETH for the Long Term? 1. Transition to Ethereum 2.0 The successful rollout of Ethereum’s Proof-of-Stake (PoS) upgrades has bolstered investor confidence: Staking Rewards: Long-term holders can earn rewards by staking ETH. Reduced Supply Growth: The deflationary effects of EIP-1559 and staking withdrawals have increased ETH’s appeal as a store of value. 2. Expanding Use Cases Ethereum remains the backbone of the DeFi , NFT , and Web3 ecosystems: DeFi Boom: A growing number of decentralized applications (dApps) and protocols rely on Ethereum. Institutional Adoption: Companies and institutions increasingly see Ethereum as essential infrastructure for blockchain-based innovations. 3. Market Sentiment Bullish Outlook: Many investors anticipate further ETH price appreciation in 2025 due to its expanding utility and ecosystem growth. Why Are Bitcoin Holders Declining? 1. Profit-Taking As Bitcoin prices surged in early 2024, many long-term BTC holders likely sold their holdings to lock in profits. 2. Competition from Altcoins ETH’s rising dominance, along with the growing appeal of other Layer-1 and Layer-2 blockchains, may have drawn investors away from BTC. 3. Changing Narrative While Bitcoin remains a leader as a store of value , some investors are diversifying into assets with broader use cases, such as Ethereum and newer blockchain technologies. The Numbers: A Closer Look Metric January 2024 December 2024 Change ETH Long-Term Holders 59% 75% +16% BTC Long-Term Holders 70% 62% -8% What Defines a Long-Term Holder? IntoTheBlock Definition: A long-term holder is typically someone who has held the asset for over a year , indicating strong conviction and reduced likelihood of short-term trading. Implications for 2025 Ethereum’s Growing Momentum Ethereum’s expanding ecosystem positions it as a key player in blockchain innovation. Increased long-term holding indicates confidence in ETH’s future growth and stability . Bitcoin’s Market Position Despite the decline in long-term holders, Bitcoin remains a strong store of value and leader in crypto market capitalization. BTC’s digital gold narrative may attract renewed interest if macroeconomic uncertainty arises in 2025. Conclusion The rise in long-term ETH holders to 75% in 2024, coupled with the decline in long-term BTC holders , underscores a shift in market dynamics. As Ethereum solidifies its role in decentralized finance and innovation, investor confidence in ETH’s long-term potential is growing. For more insights into cryptocurrency trends and 2025 market predictions, explore our detailed analysis .
