JPMorgan: Ethereum and altcoins may continue to underperform Bitcoin unless network activity improves significantly

According to The Block, JPMorgan analysts have stated that despite the overall recovery of the cryptocurrency market following the Iran conflict, Ethereum and altcoins continue to underperform Bitcoin. The analysts believe that unless there is a substantial improvement in network activity, DeFi, and real-world applications, this trend that began in 2023 is unlikely to change.

The analysts pointed out that the spot Bitcoin ETF has recovered about two-thirds of the previously withdrawn funds, while the spot Ethereum ETF has only recovered about one-third. CME futures positions indicate that institutions are rebuilding their Bitcoin exposure more aggressively than Ethereum, with Bitcoin futures positions nearly fully restored, while Ethereum futures positions remain below previous levels.

The analysts also questioned whether the upcoming Ethereum upgrade could effectively boost network activity. They noted that upgrades over the past three years have primarily reduced Layer 2 transaction costs, leading to lower Ethereum network fees, a weakened token burn mechanism, and accelerated net supply growth, which has undermined ETH's price support.

Regarding altcoins, the analysts pointed out that poor liquidity, insufficient market depth, limited growth in DeFi activity, and repeated hacking incidents have eroded confidence and hindered the allocation of new capital.