Let me tell you about Maria. An immigrant who has to drive an hour each way to work to afford the rent. Then, she stumbled upon crypto. Not Bitcoin, but Ethereum. She made a small example investment—only what she could afford to lose, $100. Skip ahead two years, and that $100 has grown into enough money to make a down payment on a modest home. That’s the beauty of Ethereum, and it’s just the beginning.

$80M: BlackRock's Wake-Up Call

BlackRock just dropped $80.6 million on Ethereum. $80.6 MILLION! That's not pocket change. That's a statement. At first glance, it’s a pretty big deal – a declaration that the big boys are finally taking Ethereum seriously. They aren’t shying away or being half-hearted about it, either—they’re going all in.

Think of it like this: Imagine a small indie band playing in a basement. Enter Jay-Z, who buys out all their albums, walks in and tells them they’re going to become the biggest stars in the world. That's BlackRock and Ethereum, except instead of music, it's money. And a whole lot of it.

For one, BlackRock’s ETHA ETF inflows are a clear indication. Now everyone—from hedge funds to the most traditional institutional channels—are pouring money into Ethereum. Currently, BlackRock’s bag is 1.49 million ETH valued at a neat $3.93 billion. They’re not only purchasing once, but they are repeatedly purchasing more ETH each day. This isn’t a puppy love situation; it’s an intense, life-changing vow.

Staking Approval: The Real Game Changer

In fact, the SEC could approve staking to be allowed in spot Ethereum ETFs. Might. But even the thought of it makes Wall Street execs tremble in fear. Why? Because staking is the future. And that’s how Ethereum goes from being a currency to being a productive asset. It’s the equivalent of owning a piece of the internet itself and getting paid for it.

More than 34 million ETH are staked, almost 28% of the circulating supply. Individuals and institutions alike are locking up their ETH, dramatically decreasing supply, while simultaneously increasing demand. It is basic economics. Scarcity drives up prices. The rarer something is, the more valuable it becomes.

Think about diamonds. Are they actually rare? Not really. For decades De Beers controlled the supply, effectively inflating the price without cause. Staking accomplishes the same thing for Ethereum, but it’s decentralized, transparent, and can’t be manipulated. No foul third party intermediaries dictating the agenda behind the scenes, only open and verifiable smart contracts and code.

Beyond Profits: Ethereum for Good?

This is where things get really interesting. Forget Lambos and yachts—actually, don’t forget them entirely! Imagine if we could use the Ethereum boom to fund progressive causes. Imagine if the same technology that’s making a few early investors very rich could fund hundreds of renewable energy projects. Now picture it promoting social justice efforts and uplifting marginalized communities!

Imagine a future where decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs) collaborate to build a climate-forward economy. They proactively create educational opportunities in underserved communities in the U.S and provide microloans to support new entrepreneurial ventures in developing nations. Ethereum makes this possible. It’s no longer enough to consider maximizing shareholder value, but rather, the pursuit of a more equitable, sustainable and inclusive world.

This isn't some naive utopian dream. It's a real possibility. And we’re witnessing the very beginnings of that already. And now innovators are building on Ethereum to power decentralized funding platforms, transparent donation systems, and new types of social impact investing.

Of course, there are challenges. Regulation is unclear, they get hacked, scammers are everywhere. The opportunity is just too great to ignore. Together, let’s advocate for making sure this technology is used for good. We need to ensure it works for all of us, and not just the rich, privileged few.

$10K? It's Not Just a Number

Analysts are bandying about figures of $4,000, and even $10,000. Our friend Peter Brandt is looking for a breakout above $3,000 to give the go ahead. But these numbers are only waypoints on a longer, barely-begun journey. The true value of Ethereum is not found in its rising price, but rather in the potential of what it can do.

A breakout beyond $4,000 on significant volume? Now we’re talking a confirmation. It usually indicates that the bulls are in charge and that another round of all-time highs is about to come.

The support level is probably in the neighborhood of $2,200 – a net. The resistance level being the $4,000 area – tough hurdle to overcome.

Ethereum is an expensive investment not just financially, but ethically and morally, and it is a risky investment. It’s an opportunity to create a financial system that is more fair, transparent, and equitable. It’s an opportunity to energize their base, fund long-term progressive priorities, and laid the groundwork for a more prosperous future for everyone.

So, is Ethereum going to $10K? I don't know. Nobody knows for sure. What I don’t know is how BlackRock’s $80 million bet might be an example of things to come. The party is just getting started.

Now get out there, read widely, think critically, and make up your own minds. Don't just sit on the sidelines. Get involved. Learn about Ethereum. Explore its potential. And let's build a better future together.