Ethereum Could Overtake Bitcoin in Market Cap, Says Tom Lee

• Ethereum May Overtake Bitcoin in Market Cap
• Tom Lee Highlights Ethereum's Strength in DeFi and Web3
• Institutional Adoption Drives Ethereum's Competitive Advantage

The debate over cryptocurrency market leadership has taken on new dimensions following statements by Tom Lee, chairman of BitMine's board. In an interview on August 23, the executive stated that he believes Ethereum has a greater than 50% chance of surpassing Bitcoin in market capitalization in the coming years.

Bitcoin (BTC) is currently trading at $115.030, down 1,5% on the day, with a market capitalization approaching $2,29 trillion. Ethereum (ETH) is trading at $4.755,48, down 1% on the day, with an estimated market value of $574 billion.

According to Lee, Ethereum's uniqueness is directly linked to its central role in decentralized finance (DeFi) and the Web3 ecosystem, areas that have been receiving significant institutional attention. While Bitcoin remains established as a store of value and the most widely recognized asset, Ethereum is advancing its practical utility in various sectors.

In the executive's assessment, the adoption of Ethereum-based solutions, such as smart contracts and decentralized applications, has been growing rapidly. "Ethereum's market capitalization has a high probability—50% or more—of surpassing Bitcoin's in the future," Lee stated, highlighting that the breadth of use cases puts the network in a prime position to become an industry leader.

Beyond DeFi, non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and Web3 gaming platforms also reinforce Ethereum's presence as a leading player. This versatility contrasts with Bitcoin's more limited focus, which remains the most valuable cryptocurrency but lacks the same diversity of applications.

Lee's view reflects a growing trend among analysts and institutional investors. Large funds and corporations have begun to view Ethereum not just as a cryptocurrency, but as a technological infrastructure capable of supporting new forms of digital financial services. The growing demand for these resources could become a decisive factor in the asset's appreciation and consolidation.