Solana and Ethereum gaining popularity for investment growth, while Bitcoin remains in the lead
November 11, 2025
Bitcoin’s dominance in the cryptocurrency market is facing a challenge as Solana and Ethereum gain traction among institutional investors, according to a recent survey by CoinShares. The survey conducted in October 2025 reveals a noteworthy shift in investor sentiment towards these alternative digital assets for their growth potential.
The survey indicates a decline in the percentage of investors who view Bitcoin as the most promising investment opportunity. While still holding the top spot as the preferred digital asset overall, Bitcoin’s appeal for growth decreased to 39% from approximately 55% in the previous survey. On the other hand, enthusiasm for Solana surged to 25% from around 12%, while Ethereum maintained a stable position at 31% compared to roughly 29% previously.
These changing preferences among investors coincide with a noteworthy increase in digital asset allocations in investment portfolios, which have doubled to 1.8% since early 2022. The third quarter saw substantial inflows of nearly $18 billion, with investors focusing more on diversification and the underlying blockchain technology rather than pure speculation. The survey, which collected responses from 33 fund managers overseeing approximately $563 billion in assets, underscores this evolving trend in investor behavior.
Bitcoin’s recent market performance has prompted investors to exercise caution. Notably, digital asset investment products witnessed significant outflows totaling $1.17 billion in the week ending November 8, with Bitcoin accounting for $932 million of that total. This downward trend in Bitcoin investments comes on the heels of previous outflows of $946 million following comments by Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell hinting at the possibility of a rate cut in December.
Contrary to Bitcoin’s struggles, Solana experienced notable inflows of $118 million in the most recent week and $421 million the previous week, bringing its year-to-date inflows to $3.4 billion. This positive performance underscores a growing institutional interest in cryptocurrencies beyond the realm of Bitcoin, highlighting the broader appeal of alternative digital assets among investors.
The survey data indicates that diversification and client demand now rank as the top reasons for investment decisions, closely followed by exposure to blockchain technology. This marks a significant departure from 2021 when speculation primarily drove investment choices. Despite concerns surrounding political, regulatory risks, and market volatility, the growing availability of Exchange-Traded Products (ETPs) worldwide appears to be facilitating broader adoption of cryptocurrencies.
Investors seeking to capitalize on these evolving market dynamics can gain exposure through products like the CoinShares Bitcoin ETF (BRRR) that offers direct Bitcoin exposure, or the CoinShares Bitcoin and Ether ETF (BTF) providing access to the two largest cryptocurrencies by market value. These investment products cater to investor demand for diversified exposure to the cryptocurrency market’s potential growth opportunities.
Overall, the shifting preferences among institutional investors towards Solana and Ethereum signal a broader transformation in the cryptocurrency landscape, underscoring the increasing appeal of alternative digital assets beyond Bitcoin. Investors are now focused on leveraging the growth potential of these emerging assets while navigating the evolving regulatory landscape and market dynamics.
