Jeff Kendrick, the crypto research lead at Standard Chartered, recently shared insights into the potential impact of the SEC’s nod to spot Bitcoin ETFs on retirement funds. Going a step beyond, he also touched upon the anticipated trajectory for an Ethereum ETF, suggesting it may mirror Bitcoin’s experience. Kendrick’s outlook comes amidst growing investor assurance in the crypto market, even as inflation rates show signs of retreat.
Crypto Confidence Gains as Inflation Falls
During his appearance on Yahoo Finance Future Focus, Kendrick commended the resilience of Bitcoin and Ethereum, the top two cryptocurrencies by market capitalization. He attributed the robustness of these and other risk-asset classes to the downtrend in inflation, pointing to a brighter horizon for the crypto industry. In contrast, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell has expressed concerns over persistently high costs in services, which continue to trouble markets.
Retirement Funds Prepare to Dive into Bitcoin ETFs
Kendrick mentioned a potentially significant boost for Bitcoin from retirement funds gearing up to invest in the newly approved ETFs. According to second-quarter 2021 data from Statista, the US 401(k) plan assets were valued at over $7 trillion, suggesting a vast influx of capital into the crypto market. He also predicted the approval of an Ethereum ETF by May, which would mark another leap forward for cryptocurrency inclusion in traditional investment portfolios.
His statements aren’t isolated instances of optimism; they follow a pattern of positive sentiment among experts. For example, Steven Larsen of Columbia Advisory Partners hinted at an increased interest from companies in incorporating Bitcoin ETFs into their 401(k) offerings, should the SEC signal the green light for such products.
Kendrick’s firm stance on the Ethereum price reaching $4,000 before the ETF’s approval underscores his confidence in the crypto market’s potential. With anticipation building for the Ethereum ETF’s fate, May could be a transformative month for cryptocurrency investment strategies.