Wall Street is gearing up to introduce novel investment opportunities with Ethereum exchange-traded funds (ETFs). These spot Ethereum ETFs, led by industry giants like Bitwise Asset Management, could launch as early as this week.

Many consider Ethereum ETFs as a broader bet on a technological evolution that could redefine asset management and transactions.

Ethereum ETFs: The Birth of a New Asset Class

Matthew Hougan, Bitwise’s Chief Investment Officer, describes this development as “the birth of a new asset class.” Moreover, Hougan believes Ethereum is an essential infrastructure for the tokenization of real-world assets.

“If you want to invest in the growth of tokenization, Ethereum is like the picks and shovels play. It underpins all of it. … I think that is going to appeal to a lot of people,” Hougan said.

Indeed, this perspective places Ethereum at the forefront of decentralized finance as a cornerstone of future financial practices.

Read more: What is Tokenization on Blockchain?

Tokenization transforms asset rights into digital tokens on a blockchain. This technology ensures transactions are recorded instantly, and ownership is transferred seamlessly, thereby enhancing the financial system’s efficiency and transparency.

Larry Fink, CEO of BlackRock, also emphasized that tokenization will likely overhaul every asset class. It stands out as a pivotal technological advancement with the power to streamline processes and mitigate issues like money laundering through improved traceability and security.

The momentum for Ethereum ETFs builds on the success of Bitcoin ETFs. Since their debut in January, the spot Bitcoin ETFs have attracted approximately $15 billion in inflows this year, securing positions among the top ETF inflows of 2023. This week itself, the spot Bitcoin ETFs have recorded inflows of over $330.4 million.

Read more: Ethereum ETF Explained: What It Is and How It Works

Particularly yesterday, spot Bitcoin ETFs saw inflows of $147.4 million, led by Fidelity’s Wise Origin Bitcoin fund (FBTC), which alone garnered $57.8 million. Not to mention, Wednesday marked the fourth consecutive day of positive flows for the spot Bitcoin ETFs

Reflecting on Bitcoin’s trajectory, Hougan remains bullish about Ethereum’s market entry.

“If we get five or 10 or 15 billion dollars in the first two years of these ethereum ETFs, that is a massive runaway success,” Hougan stated.