Wall Street retirement accounts and digital assets don’t often share the spotlight—but that’s changing fast. Fueled by President Trump’s recent executive order opening 401(k) plans to alternative assets, Ethereum just logged its biggest inflow week ever.
According to CoinShares, nearly $4 billion poured into digital assets last week, with the U.S. driving 99% of the action. Ethereum exchange-traded products (ETPs), which allow investors exposure to the crypto without directly holding coins, attracted a staggering $2.87 billion. That surge pushed year-to-date inflows past $11 billion—a record for the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency.
The rally gained even more momentum when Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell hinted at an interest rate cut as early as September. Ethereum spiked toward the $4,800 mark—within striking distance of its all-time high of $4,865 set in November 2021.
Big institutions are leading the charge. BlackRock’s ETF division, iShares, captured the lion’s share of inflows, particularly into its Ethereum Trust ETF and Bitcoin Trust ETF. Fidelity, ProShares, 21Shares AG, and Bitwise Funds Trust also reported significant gains.
Bitcoin, meanwhile, is playing catch-up. After two weeks of outflows, the top cryptocurrency rebounded with $552 million in inflows. It’s still hovering around $116,000—up 20% this year but shy of its mid-August record of $124,495. Smaller players like Solana and XRP also benefited, drawing $176.5 million and $125 million, respectively.
For investors, Trump’s executive order signals a new era of diversification. By easing regulatory barriers, his administration aims to let retirement savers tap into crypto alongside traditional stocks and bonds. If inflows are any indication, Ethereum is emerging as the biggest winner of this 401(k) shake-up—offering both Wall Street and Main Street a taste of the digital future.