So far this year, Ether (ETH) has underperformed compared to traditional assets like gold and silver, with both metals delivering far stronger returns.

Comparing the Numbers

Year-to-date, Ether’s price has increased by just 5.2%, from $2,350 to $2,463. On the other hand, gold has surged by 25.9% and silver by 23.9%, reaching $2,531 and $32.50 respectively. Gold’s gains are linked to factors such as rising geopolitical risks, inflation concerns, and strong buying from central banks. Silver’s price increase, meanwhile, is due to higher demand and limited supply, according to the Silver Institute.

Why Ether Is Struggling

Earlier this year, Ether performed better than both metals, reaching a high of over $4,000 in March, thanks to the network’s upgrade. But since then, its price has dropped significantly. Experts attribute this weak performance to the disappointing launch of Ether-based ETFs and general issues in the crypto market. In comparison, Bitcoin spot ETFs have taken in $37.2 billion since their launch, while Ether ETFs have attracted only $2.1 billion. Read more at Unchained.