Ethereum futures have witnessed a significant rise in open interest (OI) since early February, signaling heightened activity and trader attention on prominent crypto exchanges. Blockchain analytics firm Coinglass reports that the collective OI for Ethereum futures has surpassed $10.1 billion across various platforms.
Deribit Sees Record Ethereum Futures OI
Deribit, a major cryptocurrency futures exchange, now boasts unprecedented levels of pending Ethereum futures contracts, with OI exceeding $690 million. The surge in OI reflects an increase in Ethereum trading and interest in its derivative products, which could be tied to anticipated market movements, speculation, or hedging strategies in anticipation of notable upcoming price drivers.
A potential catalyst for this increased interest is the possibility of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission approving a spot Ethereum ETF. Investment company Franklin Templeton has taken the initial step by filing with the SEC, aiming to introduce a spot Ethereum ETF.
Surging Daily OI on Top Exchanges
The Block’s Data Dashboard showcases a rise in Ethereum futures daily OI on several exchanges, including Binance, ByBit, OKX, and CME. Notably, Ethereum OI on Binance has approached $3 billion, marking the highest level observed in recent months.
Furthermore, the funding rate for Ethereum’s perpetual futures on Deribit has increased from 0.00045% to 0.035%, indicating a higher cost paid by long positions to short positions. This change suggests a bullish outlook on Ethereum, with investors possibly anticipating an uptrend in its price in the foreseeable future.