TLDR
- Ethereum staking yields expected to surpass US interest rates by mid-2025
- Falling US rates and rising Ethereum transaction fees contribute to this trend
- Positive yield spread could make Ethereum staking more attractive to investors
- 27% of total Ethereum supply now being staked on the network
- Institutional investors likely to prefer regulated products for staking exposure
Ethereum, the second-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, is drawing attention from investors and analysts alike as its staking yields are projected to exceed US interest rates in the coming year.
This shift could potentially boost Ethereum’s price as investors seek higher returns in a changing economic landscape.
According to recent analysis by crypto trading firm FalconX, two key factors are expected to push Ethereum staking returns above traditional risk-free rates by mid-2025.
First, the Federal Reserve’s recent decision to cut interest rates is likely to continue into next year. Futures markets indicate an 85% chance that the federal funds rate will drop below 3.75% by March 2025, with a 90% probability of further decline to 3.5% by June.
As US rates decrease, yields on traditional assets like Treasury bonds are expected to follow suit.
This narrowing of the yield gap between traditional investments and Ethereum staking could make the latter more appealing to investors. Currently, Ethereum staking yields hover around 3.2%.
The second factor contributing to this trend is the recent uptick in Ethereum transaction fees. Last week, these fees reached their highest levels in nearly two months, although they have since settled to an average of $0.80 per transaction.
While still below previous bull market peaks, this increase reflects growing blockchain activity and contributes to higher staking yields.
David Lawant, head of research at FalconX, noted in an investor report that the crypto market has yet to experience the full potential of attractive staking rates compared to risk-free rates during a robust bull market for Ethereum’s price.
The combination of declining US rates and rising Ethereum yields could turn the spread positive within the next two quarters. This shift would likely increase the appeal of Ethereum staking, as it would offer higher returns than risk-free options.
However, institutional investors may prefer to access staking yields through regulated products, such as exchange-traded funds (ETFs).
Jamie Coutts, chief crypto analyst at Real Vision, told Decrypt that demand for direct exposure among most traditional institutions could develop slowly until the SEC approves such offerings.
In May, the Securities and Exchange Commission approved eight applications for spot Ethereum ETFs. To meet regulatory requirements, several issuers removed references to staking customer Ethereum from their applications. This development highlights the ongoing challenges in bridging traditional finance with the crypto ecosystem.
Since Ethereum’s transition to a proof-of-stake system in September 2022, Ethereum holders have been able to deposit funds with the network to earn rewards.
The latest data from Coinbase shows that 32.6 million ETH, representing over 27% of the total supply, is now being used to secure Ethereum’s proof-of-stake network.
This milestone underscores the growing enthusiasm for Ethereum staking, even as the ecosystem anticipates the potential launch of spot Ethereum ETFs in the US.
However, staking in US ETF products remains elusive, as regulatory hurdles continue to shape the landscape of crypto investment products.
