Google searches for “altcoin” have reached their highest level since 2021 and interest in “Ethereum” is at a two-year peak, according to Google Trends data. The surge comes alongside a flurry of crypto-related exchange-traded fund (ETF) activity and shifts in digital asset treasuries that may draw attention beyond Bitcoin.
Google Trends has recorded similar surges before. In early 2018, “altcoins” spiked months after Bitcoin’s late-2017 peak, as retail attention turned toward a wave of new cryptocurrencies launched through initial coin offerings (ICOs).
In early 2021, the term “altcoin” reached some of its highest readings on record during a broad rally fueled by decentralized finance (DeFi), non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and large-cap coins such as Ether, Cardano and BNB.
While Google Trends doesn’t predict market direction or provide exact search counts, it can highlight periods when retail curiosity intensifies.
Altcoin ETF momentum builds
Institutional appetite for altcoins is growing, with crypto ETF activity now stretching beyond Bitcoin and Ethereum. In the first half of 2025 alone, US regulators received at least 31 altcoin ETF applications.
Among notable filings, Canary Capital submitted a proposal in March for an SUI spot ETF that directly tracks the Sui token. Shortly after, Cboe BZX requested approval to list Canary’s fund, potentially marking the first US ETF to hold SUI. Meanwhile, Nasdaq filed the necessary paperwork for 21Shares’ spot SUI ETF, initiating the SEC’s formal review process.
Analysts from Bloomberg Intelligence, including Eric Balchunas and James Seyffart, are optimistic about approval for other altcoin ETFs. They have pegged approval odds for Solana (SOL), XRP and Litecoin (LTC) at 95%, with additional applications — including those for Dogecoin (DOGE), Cardano (ADA), Polkadot (DOT), Hedera (HBAR), and Avalanche (AVAX) — garnering approval odds as high as 90%.
Related: Bitcoin, Ether, XRP price bump pushes market sentiment to ‘Greed’
Crypto treasuries beyond Bitcoin
Corporate treasury strategies are also expanding to include a broader portfolio of altcoins. Ether is now a preferred reserve asset for several firms. Names like Metaplanet, BitMine, and SharpLink Gaming collectively hold billions of dollars in Ether (ETH) and, in many cases, stake their holdings to earn…
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