Etherealize CEO Vivek Raman has declared that Ethereum (ETH) is emerging as a form of money, citing significant institutional moves from Harvard University and financial giant Charles Schwab as key evidence. Raman argues that the crypto market narrative is shifting from a sole focus on Bitcoin to a dual leadership with Ethereum.
Raman stated, "The window is now opening for ETH to be money," and emphasized, "The conversation isn't just Bitcoin anymore. It's becoming BTC and ETH." He attributes this accelerated path to recent regulatory developments, including the GENIUS and CLARITY acts, which are providing the clarity needed for institutions to engage with Ethereum more seriously.
Concrete institutional actions underpin this shift. Raman highlighted that Harvard University reduced its Bitcoin position by approximately $85 million and simultaneously opened a new $87 million position in Ethereum. This investment was made through BlackRock's iShares Ethereum Trust, a regulated product favored by institutional investors for its familiar structure.
Furthermore, Raman pointed to Charles Schwab, which manages over $11 trillion in client assets. Schwab Crypto, its trading platform, offers trading exclusively in Bitcoin and Ethereum. This selective inclusion of only two cryptocurrencies in a vast market underscores Ethereum's rising stature alongside Bitcoin as a core financial asset.
Raman concluded that regulatory clarity and improved market access via exchange-traded products are driving this trend, enabling large firms to gain ETH exposure without direct token custody. He believes these developments mark Ethereum's entry into a "money phase," fundamentally altering how it is perceived within traditional finance.
