Grayscale Increases Cardano Allocation as Ethereum ETF Inflows Surpass Bitcoin in Institutional Demand
Grayscale significantly increases its Cardano holdings, reflecting a strategic shift toward Layer-1 smart contract platforms amid robust crypto ETF inflows. Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs collectively attracted $634.4 million in inflows last week, with Ethereum ETFs notably surpassing Bitcoin in instit

-
Grayscale significantly increases its Cardano holdings, reflecting a strategic shift toward Layer-1 smart contract platforms amid robust crypto ETF inflows.
-
Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs collectively attracted $634.4 million in inflows last week, with Ethereum ETFs notably surpassing Bitcoin in institutional demand.
-
According to COINOTAG, “The growing allocation to Cardano within Grayscale’s Smart Contract Platform Fund underscores institutional confidence in ADA’s scalability and ecosystem development.”
Grayscale’s Cardano allocation rises to 18.57%, while Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs see $634.4M inflows, highlighting shifting institutional interest in smart contract platforms.
Grayscale’s Strategic Emphasis on Cardano and Layer-1 Smart Contract Platforms
Grayscale’s recent portfolio update reveals a decisive pivot toward Layer-1 blockchain platforms, with Cardano now representing 18.57% of its Smart Contract Platform Fund. This positions ADA as the third-largest holding, trailing only Ethereum (30.22%) and Solana (29.87%). The combined dominance of Ethereum and Solana, accounting for nearly 60% of the fund, illustrates Grayscale’s commitment to established smart contract ecosystems.
Beyond these leaders, the fund also includes emerging platforms such as Sui (8.78%), Avalanche (6.76%), and Hedera (5.80%), reflecting a diversified yet focused approach on scalable blockchain solutions. This allocation strategy signals Grayscale’s confidence in the long-term viability of Layer-1 networks that support decentralized applications and smart contracts, catering to growing institutional demand for blockchain innovation.
Institutional Confidence in Cardano’s Ecosystem Growth
Cardano’s increased weighting within Grayscale’s fund is a noteworthy endorsement of its technical advancements and ecosystem maturation. By elevating ADA’s share to nearly one-fifth of the fund, Grayscale highlights Cardano’s potential to compete with top-tier smart contract platforms. This move aligns with broader market trends favoring scalable, energy-efficient blockchains capable of supporting complex decentralized finance (DeFi) and Web3 applications.
Grayscale’s flexible fund management approach allows for dynamic rebalancing, ensuring exposure aligns with evolving market conditions and technological progress. For investors tracking Layer-1 growth, this development provides a clear institutional signal of Cardano’s rising prominence.
Robust ETF Inflows Reinforce Institutional Demand for Bitcoin and Ethereum
The week ending July 7 saw substantial inflows into crypto ETFs, totaling $634.4 million across Bitcoin and Ethereum products. Bitcoin ETFs attracted $384.1 million, driven by significant accumulation from major players such as BlackRock and Fidelity. BlackRock increased its Bitcoin holdings by 3,432 BTC, surpassing 700,000 BTC in total, while Fidelity added 2,772 BTC. ARK 21Shares notably contributed with an 11,000 BTC increase, underscoring sustained institutional appetite for Bitcoin exposure.
Ethereum ETFs demonstrated even stronger individual fund inflows, with BlackRock leading by adding 58,196 ETH. Fidelity and Bitwise also recorded notable increases, reflecting growing institutional confidence in Ethereum’s smart contract capabilities and its pivotal role in decentralized finance and NFT ecosystems.
Shift in Institutional Preference Toward Ethereum’s Smart Contract Potential
The comparative inflows highlight a subtle but meaningful shift in institutional investor sentiment. While Bitcoin remains the dominant digital asset, Ethereum’s smart contract functionality and ongoing network upgrades have enhanced its appeal as a foundational blockchain for decentralized innovation. This trend is evidenced by the higher inflows into Ethereum ETFs relative to Bitcoin, signaling a diversification of institutional portfolios toward assets with strong utility and growth prospects.
Market analysts from COINOTAG emphasize that “Ethereum’s expanding DeFi and NFT ecosystems continue to attract institutional capital, positioning ETH as a critical asset in the evolving blockchain landscape.”
Conclusion
Grayscale’s increased allocation to Cardano and the robust inflows into Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs collectively illustrate a maturing institutional landscape in crypto investments. The strategic focus on Layer-1 smart contract platforms highlights a preference for scalable, versatile blockchains capable of supporting diverse decentralized applications. Meanwhile, the inflow data confirms sustained confidence in Bitcoin’s store-of-value narrative alongside Ethereum’s utility-driven growth. Investors should monitor these trends closely as institutional strategies continue to shape the crypto market’s evolution.
Don't forget to enable notifications for our Twitter account and Telegram channel to stay informed about the latest cryptocurrency news.
Delegate Your Voting Power to FEED DRep in Cardano Governance.
DRep ID: drep12ukt4ctzmtf6l5rj76cddgf3dvuy0lfz7uky08jfvgr9ugaapz4 | We are driven to register as a DRep by our deep dedication to the Cardano ecosystem and our aspiration to take an active role in its development, ensuring that its progress stays true to the principles of decentralization, security, and community empowerment.DELEGATE VOTING POWER!