Ether leads crypto market higher as Bitcoin trades at $65,500

Ethereum is having its moment. While Bitcoin sits in a holding pattern around $65,500, ETH has quietly posted a 19.7% gain over the past month, nearly doubling Bitcoin’s 11.7% return over the same stretch. The largest altcoin is trading between $1,880 and $1,970 in late July, and for the first time in months, the conversation in crypto markets has shifted from “when does BTC break out” to “why is ETH outrunning everything.” Bitcoin, for its part, has been oscillating in a tight band between $64,000 and $66,500, a far cry from the $72,500 to $74,000 highs it touched earlier in 2026. That pullback into the mid-$60K range has left traders in wait-and-see mode, scanning the horizon for macro catalysts that might break the stalemate. Ethereum’s comeback from the depths To appreciate what’s happening with ETH right now, you need to rewind to mid-2026. The ETH/BTC ratio cratered to around 0.027 before bouncing meaningfully on the back of Ethereum’s recent outperformance. Several factors are driving the reversal. ETF flows into Ethereum-linked products have picked up noticeably, providing a steady bid underneath the price. Meanwhile, ETH staking participation has climbed to roughly 34%, wh...