Ethereum is poised to overtake Bitcoin as the trendy digital asset in the fourth quarter, supported by strong inflows into Ethereum exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and rising adoption among private companies, says digital asset fund manager Orbix Invest.
Orbix Invest, a licensed fund manager regulated by the Finance Ministry and the Securities and Exchange Commission, said Ethereum is emerging as the market driver in place of Bitcoin, which has long dominated the crypto space.
“Investment flows into Ethereum ETFs remain strong, while those for Bitcoin have begun to slow. Corporations are increasingly adding Ethereum to their balance sheets, treating it as an alternative store of value similar to gold or the US dollar in the past,” said managing director Tanapoom Damraks.
According to Mr Tanapoom, Ethereum is finding broader applications across the digital economy. The cryptocurrency underpins decentralised finance (DeFi), online payment systems, and the tokenisation of real-world assets such as bonds and property, developments that make the assets easier to trade and invest in digitally.
Under favourable economic conditions and sustained capital inflows, the firm estimated Ethereum’s price could climb to US$6,000-8,000 by year-end. However, investors must monitor global macroeconomic factors, particularly US interest rates, inflation and market liquidity, as these “directly influence demand for risk assets”, he said.
For investment strategies, Orbix recommends balancing return opportunities with risk management by diversifying into utility-driven altcoins, especially those linked to DeFi and institutional-grade infrastructure.
“Ethereum continues to enjoy structural support, but Bitcoin remains essential as the primary digital asset and a benchmark for market liquidity,” Mr Tanapoom noted. “A balanced allocation across both assets is critical for long-term portfolio stability.”
Looking forward, Orbix anticipates digital assets are entering a “structural adoption phase” driven by three forces, with the first the growth of stablecoins and tokenised real-world assets.
Second, clearer regulations are being introduced, including the proposed US Stablecoins Act, which could boost institutional confidence. The final driver is rapid technological progress, including Ethereum Layer 2 solutions and Solana blockchain, which lowers costs and improves scalability.
“These trends signal a new era for digital assets where Ethereum could stand at the centre of a rapidly evolving financial system,” he said.
