PORTLAND, OREGON (BLOOMBERG) - Cryptocurrencies rallied for a second day, with Ethereum-related tokens leading gains, as risk aversion eases and optimism grows about the long-anticipated software upgrade of the blockchain network.
Ether, the native token of Ethereum, jumped as much as 11 per cent to US$1,783 on Thursday (July 28), and has surged 29 per cent on an intraday basis since Tuesday, the biggest two-day gain since January 2021. The digital token is still down about 50 per cent this year.
Bitcoin rallied as much as 6.2 per cent to US$24,195. Its two-day gain of 15 per cent is the largest on an intraday basis since June 20. The largest digital token by market value has been down 48 per cent since December.
The rally signals growing confidence that Ethereum's move from the current system of using miners to a more energy-efficient system using staked coins is nearing. The switch to this so-called proof-of-stake system is expected to take place in September.
This week, Ethereum developers have signalled continued progress in testing the new system, and they are holding a series of events for prospective stakers and other community members in the coming weeks.
More Ethereum-related assets extended gains on Thursday. Uniswap, a decentralised crypto exchange that is most popular on Ethereum, saw its token jump nearly 36 per cent. Ethereum Classic - which branched out from Ethereum several years ago - rallied nearly 38 per cent, and Lido DAO's LDO token rose about 53 per cent, according to CoinMarketCap. Lido issues a derivative of Ether.
Altcoins can sometimes outperform the original token during risk-on stretches, though they can also be much more volatile on the way down - they tend to suffer greater losses during tougher times.
Meanwhile, the broader crypto market continued to benefit from traders dialling back wagers on Federal Reserve hikes after an ugly economic reading fuelled concern about a United States recession. The Fed's attempt to control inflation has spooked crypto investors this year as the central bank raises interest rates, turning investors away from riskier investments such as crypto.
"The market is outperforming right now on macro outlook," said Ms Katie Talati, director of research at Arca. "Many are now speculating that the Fed will take a more dovish stance and will slow any further rate hikes for this year."
