Key Takeaways
- The amount of Bitcoin needed to retire varies widely by location.
- The independent researcher provided a bullish outlook for Bitcoin.
- Market outlook remains divided.
JPMorgan Chase’s latest move into blockchain-based finance is adding fresh institutional weight to Ethereum, as it launches its first tokenized money fund.
The development comes as Fundstrat’s Tom Lee says Ethereum could be poised for a major price move early next year, driven by growing adoption of tokenized assets.
JPMorgan Goes All-In on Ethereum
JPMorgan’s asset-management division is introducing a private tokenized money-market fund backed by Ethereum, according to reporting by The Wall Street Journal.
The fund, called the OnChain Net Yield Fund, has been backed by $100 million of the bank’s own money before opening to outside investors on Tuesday, the publication reported.
Eligibility requirements include individuals with at least $5 million in investable assets and institutions with a minimum of $25 million in investable assets.
Tokenized money-market funds aim to combine the stability and yield of traditional cash-management products with blockchain features, such as faster settlement.
JPMorgan executives told WSJ that demand for tokenized products has increased as regulatory clarity improves.
“There is a massive amount of interest from clients around tokenization,” said John Donohue, head of global liquidity at J.P. Morgan Asset Management.
Tom Lee Sees Ethereum Set for Breakout
JP Morgan’s move follows a bullish thesis outlined by Fundstrat’s Tom Lee, who argues that Ethereum stands to benefit disproportionately as Wall Street embraces tokenized securities.
Speaking recently at Binance’s blockchain conference in Dubai, Lee said most tokenization activity by financial institutions is being built on Ethereum.
Data from RWA.xyz shows Ethereum accounts for more than 70% of tokenized real-world asset value when layer-2 networks are included.
Lee also reiterated his view that the traditional four-year cryptocurrency market cycle is breaking down.
“The bigger the base, the bigger the breakout,” Lee said.
He added that Bitcoin is likely to track the performance of the S&P 500 next year and could reach $300,000, potentially making new highs in early 2026.
“If that’s the case, I think Ethereum is lights out,” Lee said, adding that Ether could exceed $20,000 within the next year.
Analysts Unconvinced
Not all analysts agree that Ethereum is on the verge of the kind of explosive move outlined by Lee.
Valdrin Tahiri, a technical analyst at CCN, said recent chart action suggests Ethereum may outperform Bitcoin in relative terms, but without validating the extreme price targets being discussed.
Tahiri argued that the more ambitious projections tied to Ethereum’s price relative to Bitcoin lack technical support.
“Based on this chart, the ₿0.25 ETH prediction is unlikely,” he said, referring to the scenario in which Ether would trade at a quarter of Bitcoin’s value.
“The other half of the prediction is even less plausible.”
Tahiri said Lee’s broader narrative around Ethereum, centered on tokenization and institutional adoption, remains compelling over the long term.
However, he cautioned that the current market structure does not support the scale or timing of the projected moves.
“Ethereum may outperform Bitcoin,” Tahiri said, “but neither asset is showing signs of the explosive move Lee projects. Until BTC regains bullish momentum, ETH cannot reach the levels Lee predicts.”
Kurt Robson is a London-based reporter at CCN, specialising in the fast-moving worlds of crypto and emerging technology. He began his career covering local news in Cornwall after graduating from Falmouth University with First Class Honours in Journalism. There, he cut his teeth on everything from council meetings to missing swans.
He quickly rose through the ranks to become a frontline journalist at several of the UK’s leading national newspapers. Over the years, he has interviewed musicians and celebrities, reported from courtrooms and crime scenes, and secured multiple front-page exclusives.
Following the upheaval of the COVID-19 pandemic, Kurt shifted his focus to technology journalism—just ahead of the AI boom. With a natural curiosity and a trained eye for emerging trends, he has found a new rhythm in reporting on innovation.
At CCN, Kurt's work focuses on the cutting edge of crypto, blockchain, AI, and the evolving digital world. Drawing on his background in people-first reporting and his deep interest in disruptive tech, Kurt delivers stories that are insightful, entertaining, and human-centric.
