Bitcoin and Ethereum Weekend Price Surge Driven by Institutional Inflows and Policy Shifts

The crypto market has witnessed a remarkable surge in Bitcoin and Ethereum prices over the weekend of August 8-10, 2025, with Bitcoin climbing to $119K and Ethereum soaring to $4266. As of August 10, the weekly gains have Bitcoin up 4% and Ethereum gaining 21%, but the momentum from the weekend continues to propel both assets upward.

This rally is fueled by a combination of robust institutional investments, favorable policy developments under the Trump administration, and strong technical indicators signaling sustained bullish sentiment.

Institutional Demand and Policy Catalysts Fuel the Rally

Institutional interest has been a cornerstone of the recent price surge, with spot Bitcoin and Ethereum exchange-traded funds (ETFs) experiencing significant inflows. On August 9, 2025, Ethereum ETFs recorded an impressive $461 million in inflows, the highest since July, pushing Ethereum’s price above $4,000 for the first time in months. Bitcoin ETFs followed closely with $403 million in net inflows on the same day, reinforcing Bitcoin’s position above $116,000. Combined, these ETFs saw over $900 million in inflows over the weekend, signaling a shift of capital from traditional assets into cryptocurrencies.

Harvard’s $116.6 million investment in BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETF according to it’s quarterly SEC filing underscores the growing acceptance of crypto among major institutions, while Fundamental Global’s $5 billion plan to acquire a 10% stake in Ethereum’s supply has sparked speculation of a rapid climb toward $4,400 or higher.

Policy developments under the Trump administration have further amplified this momentum. An executive order signed earlier in the week allows cryptocurrencies to be included in 401(k) retirement plans, potentially unlocking $12.5 trillion in retirement capital for crypto investments. This move has been described as a game-changer, particularly for Ethereum, which is increasingly viewed as a core treasury asset for corporations. Additionally, new tariffs on gold bars have positioned Bitcoin as an attractive alternative store of value, free from import restrictions. This has also contributed to a short squeeze, with $53.8 million in Bitcoin liquidations adding upward pressure on prices. These policy shifts have created a bullish environment, countering historical August seasonality trends that typically favor corrections.

Technical indicators are aligning with this optimism. Bitcoin has maintained price support above its 50-, 100-, and 200-period exponential moving averages, with a Relative Strength Index (RSI) of 62 indicating strong momentum without entering overbought territory. Ethereum’s breakout from a multi-year range and wedge pattern has analysts projecting new all-time highs, driven by whale accumulation and sustained ETF inflows. Market sentiment hovering between 67 and 69, reflects growing market confidence, while trading volume surged to $176 billion over the weekend, with Ethereum alone accounting for $44 billion in 24-hour volume. These factors suggest a sustainable rally, with altcoins like XRP and Dogecoin also rising 7-13%, though Bitcoin and Ethereum remain the primary beneficiaries due to their robust ETF infrastructure.