Ethereum Is Very Much ‘The Wall Street Token,’ VanEck CEO Says
When Jan van Eck, CEO of investment firm VanEck, calls Ethereum “the Wall Street token,” it’s not just a catchy headline—it’s a signal of where global finance is heading. Ethereum, long seen as the backbone of decentralized finance (DeFi), is now positioning itself as the settlement layer for banks, stablecoins, and institutional money flows.
The question isn’t if Wall Street will integrate with Ethereum—it’s how fast?
Why Ethereum Is Becoming Banking Infrastructure: Van Eck argues that within the next 12 months, every bank and financial services provider will need infrastructure to support stablecoin transactions. As I've previously written, if banks can’t process digital dollars, their customers will simply go elsewhere. According to a recent Fireblocks survey, 90% of institutional players are already experimenting with stablecoin integrations. This is no longer niche crypto speculation; it’s operational necessity.
The Stablecoin Surge and Regulatory Tailwinds: The timing couldn’t be more critical.
The total stablecoin supply has surpassed $280 billion, a staggering figure that highlights how central they’ve become in payments and settlements. On top of that, Washington has moved. The recently passed GENIUS Act marks the first U.S. federal legislation focused squarely on payment stablecoins. With President Trump signing it into law, the message is clear: stablecoins are no longer a regulatory gray zone—they are entering the core of U.S. financial policy.
VanEck’s Ethereum Bet: VanEck isn’t just talking.
The firm launched a spot Ethereum ETF in July 2024, approved by the SEC, which now manages more than $284 million in assets. This isn’t retail-driven hype—it’s institutional validation. At the same time, Ethereum’s price recently hit a record $4,946, fueled by both ETF adoption and corporate treasury buying. In just the past month, firms like BitMine and SharpLink scooped up over $6 billion in Ether. Treasury desks are beginning to treat ETH like digital oil fueling the new economy.
Ethereum’s Role as the “Wall Street Token” So why Ethereum? Network Effects:
With billions already moving through Ethereum’s rails, it’s the logical choice for scaling stablecoin settlement. Compliance Alignment: Ethereum’s infrastructure is maturing alongside regulatory frameworks, unlike many competitors. TradFi Bridges: With ETFs, staking services, and banking integrations, Ethereum is already woven into traditional financial markets. Ethereum isn’t just a DeFi playground anymore—it’s becoming the financial backbone for regulated money movement.
The Takeaway Jan van Eck’s statement reflects a turning point:
Ethereum is moving from crypto-native utility into mainstream financial infrastructure. With stablecoin legislation passed, ETFs live, and corporate adoption accelerating, Ethereum is rapidly cementing itself as the settlement layer of choice for Wall Street. For banks, fintechs, and institutions, the next year will be decisive. As Van Eck put it, if your systems can’t handle stablecoins, “your customers will go somewhere else.”