Ethereum Surges 66% in Q3 as Meme Coins and DeFi Drive Demand

Ethereum (ETH) saw significant gains in Q3 2026, increasing by about 66% as various factors contributed to its surge.

The growth was driven by substantial inflows from ETFs, corporate ETH purchases, and a revival in DeFi activity. According to Pluang, over $10 billion flowed into Ethereum-based ETFs during this period.

Rise of Robinhood Chain also played a part, as its flagship token CASHCAT reached a market cap of approximately $220 million. This development highlights growing retail investor enthusiasm for meme coins on the platform.

The DeFi sector's total value locked hit around $88 billion, indicating robust activity and potential for continued growth.