Key Takeaways
For the first time since 2017, Ethereum’s (ETH) monthly trading volume has surpassed Bitcoin’s (BTC). This milestone occurred in August—the same month ETH climbed to a new all-time high.
With Ethereum’s price pulling back to $4,344, the question is whether this surge in trading activity signals sustained strength or marks the beginning of a broader correction.
In this analysis, CCN breaks down what the volume flip means for ETH’s price outlook.
In August alone, Ethereum’s trading volume on centralized exchanges surged to $480 billion. Bitcoin, on the other hand, was $401 billion.
The gap shows that market participants directed more attention and capital toward ETH than BTC during the month.
That surge in activity helps explain why Ethereum’s price jumped more than 50% in August, while Bitcoin managed less than a 10% gain.
Notably, this marks the first time since 2017 that ETH’s monthly trading volume has surpassed BTC’s — a rare shift that signifies Ethereum’s growing dominance in the market narrative.
CCN’s findings suggest that this development occurred due to the rise in ETH exchange-traded funds (ETF) inflows. Buying pressure from institutions like SharpLink also seems to have contributed to the surge.
However, as of this writing, the price of both cryptos has dropped. Ethereum, for instance, has failed to hold above the $4,500 resistance.
Bitcoin, like ETH, is trading below the $110,000 psychological zone.
The ETH/BTC chart shows that the pair has formed a bullish pennant on the daily timeframe.
A bullish pennant typically emerges after a strong upward move, when the price consolidates within converging trendlines.
This consolidation acts as a pause before the next potential breakout.
In Ethereum’s case, this setup suggests that ETH is building strength against Bitcoin.
If the pennant breaks upward, it would confirm that buyers are in control and could trigger a fresh leg higher for ETH’s price relative to BTC.
Historically, such moves coincide with Ethereum outperforming Bitcoin across the broader market, lifting ETH/USD as well.
If validated, the bullish pennant could help Ethereum sustain its recent gains and close the gap toward reclaiming higher levels, possibly reinforcing its dominance in the current market cycle.

Should this remain, the ETH/BTC value could retest 0.043. If the bull market returns, the value could rise as high as 0.059.
Ethereum’s price outlook appears equally bullish. On the daily chart, the green line of the Supertrend sits below the price, reinforcing upward momentum.
At the same time, ETH has formed a bull flag pattern, a setup that precedes another strong leg higher.
If Ethereum’s trading volume surpasses Bitcoin’s in September, this technical structure suggests that the price is likely to follow with another breakout.
Such a move could further validate ETH’s growing dominance and extend its rally beyond current levels.
Should this be the case, ETH might rebound to $4,962, possibly rising above $5,500 before the month closes.

However, if demand for the cryptocurrency drops, this might not happen. In such a scenario, the market value might slide to $4,196 or as low as $3,595.