Institutional flows into Bitcoin ETFs are pushing crypto toward mainstream finance, with Ethereum and other networks poised to support broader use.

The surge in ETF inflows is reshaping Bitcoin’s image from a speculative asset toward a mainstream instrument comparable to commodities like gold and oil.

Bitmine’s Tom Lee argues Bitcoin is a superior inflation hedge to gold, noting Bitcoin’s inflation-outperformance since 2009 and gold’s failure to beat inflation over the past 55 years.

Lee highlights that Bitcoin has outpaced inflation roughly 97% of the time since its creation, reinforcing its case against gold as an inflation shield.

Wall Street appetite for Bitcoin ETFs remains strong, with Bitcoin trading near $66,000 when Lee spoke, following a modest daily decline.

Bitcoin’s price around $66,000 at the time of Lee’s remarks reflects ongoing volatility after a roughly 3% drop in the prior 24 hours.

Lee suggests many investors hold gold for protection but may be missing exposure to Bitcoin, signaling diversification benefits and wider mainstream acceptance.

Bitcoin’s fixed supply of 21 million coins is a central attraction, contrasted with gold and fiat money printing, supported by rising institutional demand.

Bitcoin’s capped supply is seen as a safeguard against inflation, reinforcing its value proposition as central banks cannot print more Bitcoin.

Ethereum is viewed as a potential institutional infrastructure layer for Wall Street, enabling tokenization, settlement, and broader financial operations.

Ethereum’s role as an infrastructure layer could help integrate crypto networks into traditional finance and expand institutional use.

The overarching trend shows growing institutional interest in crypto, with traditional finance increasingly integrating crypto networks into conventional activities.