The majority in OKX's survey expects ETH to peak at over $5K by year-end.
Bybit and ConsenSys in March launched projects that can benefit from the upgrade.
Positive momentum is building up
for the upcoming upgrade to Ethereum, a decentralized blockchain with smart
contract functionality, a survey by OKX, a Seychelles-based cryptocurrency exchange, has identified.
The two-part Shanghai-Capella
event, which has been dubbed the ‘Shapella’ upgrade, is now scheduled for April 12. The upgrade is
expected to enable users on Ethereum to withdraw their staked ether (ETH), the
native cryptocurrency of the platform.
The upgrade comes eight months
after the Ethereum Merge, which was a hard fork of the blockchain that switched the
platform’s consensus mechanism from proof-of-work to proof-of-stake (PoS) system. However, investors have been participating in ETH
staking on Beacon Chain since December 2020. The Beacon Chain, which is a PoS blockchain launched on Ethereum, was later merged with the Ethereum Mainnet in September last year.
The expected Shapella upgrade, which was initially scheduled for last month, means that investors will be able to
finally withdraw their staked ETH. And, OKX’s survey found that the majority (83%)
of the Ethereum community expects that more ETH will be staked in the next
three months, suggesting a positive perception or acceptance of the development.
Price movement of ETH over the past seven days. Source: CoinMarketCap
$5K+ for ETH by End of 2023
OKX's findings
are based on a survey of 700 ETH traders, investors and network developers
between March 1-5, 2023, at the ETH Denver Conference.
CoinMarketCap’s latest data
shows that the price of ETH as of April 7, 2023, stood at over $1,850,
rising from a little over $1,800 seven days ago. However, the majority (63%) of respondents
in OKX’s survey expect ETH to peak at over USD$5,000 by year-end.
Furthermore, another majority
(79%) expects the price of ETH to react differently to the Shapella upgrade than it did to the Merge. From this majority, 59% believe the price of ETH
will keep increasing before and after the upgrade. On the other hand, under a
quarter (20%) of them expects the ETH price to move sideways.
“Thirty-three percent of
respondents think ETH will be over its current six-month high of USD2,000 in
June 2023, but still below its 12-month high of USD3,000. [Another] 34% of
those surveyed predict ETH at below $2,000, while 33% believe it will be at
least $3,100 by June 2023,” OKX explained.
Crypto Actors Prepare for
‘Shapella'
According to OKX, a total
of 17.9 million has been staked on Ethereum as of April 5, 2023. This amounts to over
USD$34 billion in ETH.
Already, digital assets companies have been preparing for the opportunities that the Shapella upgrade could avail. In late March, cryptocurrency exchange Bybit launched its new 'optimized' Web3
Staking Pool to give its users access to its
'uncomplicated ETH staking options'.
Additionally, ConsenSys, an
Ethereum and decentralized protocols software company, launched the first marketplace for institutional cryptocurrency staking. The
software firm believes that the Shapella upgrade can help boost institutional
participation in ETH staking.
Positive momentum is building up
for the upcoming upgrade to Ethereum, a decentralized blockchain with smart
contract functionality, a survey by OKX, a Seychelles-based cryptocurrency exchange, has identified.
The two-part Shanghai-Capella
event, which has been dubbed the ‘Shapella’ upgrade, is now scheduled for April 12. The upgrade is
expected to enable users on Ethereum to withdraw their staked ether (ETH), the
native cryptocurrency of the platform.
The upgrade comes eight months
after the Ethereum Merge, which was a hard fork of the blockchain that switched the
platform’s consensus mechanism from proof-of-work to proof-of-stake (PoS) system. However, investors have been participating in ETH
staking on Beacon Chain since December 2020. The Beacon Chain, which is a PoS blockchain launched on Ethereum, was later merged with the Ethereum Mainnet in September last year.
The expected Shapella upgrade, which was initially scheduled for last month, means that investors will be able to
finally withdraw their staked ETH. And, OKX’s survey found that the majority (83%)
of the Ethereum community expects that more ETH will be staked in the next
three months, suggesting a positive perception or acceptance of the development.
Price movement of ETH over the past seven days. Source: CoinMarketCap
$5K+ for ETH by End of 2023
OKX's findings
are based on a survey of 700 ETH traders, investors and network developers
between March 1-5, 2023, at the ETH Denver Conference.
CoinMarketCap’s latest data
shows that the price of ETH as of April 7, 2023, stood at over $1,850,
rising from a little over $1,800 seven days ago. However, the majority (63%) of respondents
in OKX’s survey expect ETH to peak at over USD$5,000 by year-end.
Furthermore, another majority
(79%) expects the price of ETH to react differently to the Shapella upgrade than it did to the Merge. From this majority, 59% believe the price of ETH
will keep increasing before and after the upgrade. On the other hand, under a
quarter (20%) of them expects the ETH price to move sideways.
“Thirty-three percent of
respondents think ETH will be over its current six-month high of USD2,000 in
June 2023, but still below its 12-month high of USD3,000. [Another] 34% of
those surveyed predict ETH at below $2,000, while 33% believe it will be at
least $3,100 by June 2023,” OKX explained.
Crypto Actors Prepare for
‘Shapella'
According to OKX, a total
of 17.9 million has been staked on Ethereum as of April 5, 2023. This amounts to over
USD$34 billion in ETH.
Already, digital assets companies have been preparing for the opportunities that the Shapella upgrade could avail. In late March, cryptocurrency exchange Bybit launched its new 'optimized' Web3
Staking Pool to give its users access to its
'uncomplicated ETH staking options'.
Additionally, ConsenSys, an
Ethereum and decentralized protocols software company, launched the first marketplace for institutional cryptocurrency staking. The
software firm believes that the Shapella upgrade can help boost institutional
participation in ETH staking.
Solomon Oladipupo is a journalist and editor from Nigeria that covers the tech, FX, fintech and cryptocurrency industries. He is a former assistant editor at AgroNigeria Magazine where he covered the agribusiness industry. Solomon holds a first-class degree in Journalism & Mass Communication from the University of Lagos where he graduated top of his class.
KuCoin Rolls Out MiCA-Regulated Crypto Platform Across 29 EU Markets
Hannah Hill on Innovation, Branding & Award-Winning Technology | Executive Interview | AXI
Hannah Hill on Innovation, Branding & Award-Winning Technology | Executive Interview | AXI
Recorded live at FMLS:25, this executive interview features Hannah Hill, Head of Brand and Sponsorship at AXI, in conversation with Finance Magnates, following AXI’s win for Most Innovative Broker of the Year 2025.
In this wide-ranging discussion, Hannah shares insights on:
🔹What winning the Finance Magnates award means for AXI’s credibility and innovation
🔹How the launch of AXI Select, the capital allocation program, is redefining industry standards
🔹The development and rollout of the AXI trading app across multiple markets
🔹Driving brand evolution alongside technological advancements
🔹Encouraging and recognizing teams behind the scenes
🔹The role of marketing, content, and social media in building product awareness
Hannah explains why standout products, strategic branding, and a focus on innovation are key to growing visibility and staying ahead in a competitive brokerage landscape.
🏆 Award Highlight: Most Innovative Broker of the Year 2025
👉 Subscribe to Finance Magnates for more executive interviews, industry insights, and exclusive coverage from the world’s leading financial events.
#FMLS25 #FinanceMagnates #MostInnovativeBroker #TradingTechnology #FinTech #Brokerage #ExecutiveInterview #AXI
Recorded live at FMLS:25, this executive interview features Hannah Hill, Head of Brand and Sponsorship at AXI, in conversation with Finance Magnates, following AXI’s win for Most Innovative Broker of the Year 2025.
In this wide-ranging discussion, Hannah shares insights on:
🔹What winning the Finance Magnates award means for AXI’s credibility and innovation
🔹How the launch of AXI Select, the capital allocation program, is redefining industry standards
🔹The development and rollout of the AXI trading app across multiple markets
🔹Driving brand evolution alongside technological advancements
🔹Encouraging and recognizing teams behind the scenes
🔹The role of marketing, content, and social media in building product awareness
Hannah explains why standout products, strategic branding, and a focus on innovation are key to growing visibility and staying ahead in a competitive brokerage landscape.
🏆 Award Highlight: Most Innovative Broker of the Year 2025
👉 Subscribe to Finance Magnates for more executive interviews, industry insights, and exclusive coverage from the world’s leading financial events.
#FMLS25 #FinanceMagnates #MostInnovativeBroker #TradingTechnology #FinTech #Brokerage #ExecutiveInterview #AXI
Executive Interview | Dor Eligula | Co-Founder & Chief Business Officer, BridgeWise | FMLS:25
Executive Interview | Dor Eligula | Co-Founder & Chief Business Officer, BridgeWise | FMLS:25
In this session, Jonathan Fine form Ultimate Group speaks with Dor Eligula from Bridgewise, a fast-growing AI-powered research and analytics firm supporting brokers and exchanges worldwide.
We start with Dor’s reaction to the Summit and then move to broker growth and the quick wins brokers often overlook. Dor shares where he sees “blue ocean” growth across Asian markets and how local client behaviour shapes demand.
We also discuss the rollout of AI across investment research. Dor gives real examples of how automation and human judgment meet at Bridgewise — including moments when analysts corrected AI output, and times when AI prevented an error.
We close with a practical question: how retail investors can actually use AI without falling into common traps.
In this session, Jonathan Fine form Ultimate Group speaks with Dor Eligula from Bridgewise, a fast-growing AI-powered research and analytics firm supporting brokers and exchanges worldwide.
We start with Dor’s reaction to the Summit and then move to broker growth and the quick wins brokers often overlook. Dor shares where he sees “blue ocean” growth across Asian markets and how local client behaviour shapes demand.
We also discuss the rollout of AI across investment research. Dor gives real examples of how automation and human judgment meet at Bridgewise — including moments when analysts corrected AI output, and times when AI prevented an error.
We close with a practical question: how retail investors can actually use AI without falling into common traps.
Brendan Callan joined us fresh off the Summit’s most anticipated debate: “Is Prop Trading Good for the Industry?” Brendan argued against the motion — and the audience voted him the winner.
In this interview, Brendan explains the reasoning behind his position. He walks through the message he believes many firms avoid: that the current prop trading model is too dependent on fees, too loose on risk, and too confusing for retail audiences.
We discuss why he thinks the model grew fast, why it may run into walls, and what he believes is needed for a cleaner, more responsible version of prop trading.
This is Brendan at his frankest — sharp, grounded, and very clear about what changes are overdue.
Brendan Callan joined us fresh off the Summit’s most anticipated debate: “Is Prop Trading Good for the Industry?” Brendan argued against the motion — and the audience voted him the winner.
In this interview, Brendan explains the reasoning behind his position. He walks through the message he believes many firms avoid: that the current prop trading model is too dependent on fees, too loose on risk, and too confusing for retail audiences.
We discuss why he thinks the model grew fast, why it may run into walls, and what he believes is needed for a cleaner, more responsible version of prop trading.
This is Brendan at his frankest — sharp, grounded, and very clear about what changes are overdue.
Elina Pedersen on Growth, Stability & Ultra-Low Latency | Executive Interview | Your Bourse
Elina Pedersen on Growth, Stability & Ultra-Low Latency | Executive Interview | Your Bourse
Recorded live at FMLS:25 London, this executive interview features Elina Pedersen, in conversation with Finance Magnates, following her company’s win for Best Connectivity 2025.
🔹In this wide-ranging discussion, Elina shares insights on:
🔹What winning a Finance Magnates award means for credibility and reputation
🔹How broker demand for stability and reliability is driving rapid growth
🔹The launch of a new trade server enabling flexible front-end integrations
🔹Why ultra-low latency must be proven with data, not buzzwords
🔹Common mistakes brokers make when scaling globally
🔹Educating the industry through a newly launched Dealers Academy
🔹Where AI fits into trading infrastructure and where it doesn’t
Elina explains why resilient back-end infrastructure, deep client partnerships, and disciplined focus are critical for brokers looking to scale sustainably in today’s competitive market.
🏆 Award Highlight: Best Connectivity 2025
👉 Subscribe to Finance Magnates for more executive interviews, industry insights, and exclusive coverage from the world’s leading financial events.
#FMLS25 #FinanceMagnates #BestConnectivity #TradingTechnology #UltraLowLatency #FinTech #Brokerage #ExecutiveInterview
Recorded live at FMLS:25 London, this executive interview features Elina Pedersen, in conversation with Finance Magnates, following her company’s win for Best Connectivity 2025.
🔹In this wide-ranging discussion, Elina shares insights on:
🔹What winning a Finance Magnates award means for credibility and reputation
🔹How broker demand for stability and reliability is driving rapid growth
🔹The launch of a new trade server enabling flexible front-end integrations
🔹Why ultra-low latency must be proven with data, not buzzwords
🔹Common mistakes brokers make when scaling globally
🔹Educating the industry through a newly launched Dealers Academy
🔹Where AI fits into trading infrastructure and where it doesn’t
Elina explains why resilient back-end infrastructure, deep client partnerships, and disciplined focus are critical for brokers looking to scale sustainably in today’s competitive market.
🏆 Award Highlight: Best Connectivity 2025
👉 Subscribe to Finance Magnates for more executive interviews, industry insights, and exclusive coverage from the world’s leading financial events.
#FMLS25 #FinanceMagnates #BestConnectivity #TradingTechnology #UltraLowLatency #FinTech #Brokerage #ExecutiveInterview
In this video, we take an in-depth look at @BlueberryMarketsForex , a forex and CFD broker operating since 2016, offering access to multiple trading platforms, over 1,000 instruments, and flexible account types for different trading styles.
We break down Blueberry’s regulatory structure, including its Australian Financial Services License (AFSL), as well as its authorisation and registrations in other jurisdictions. The review also covers supported platforms such as MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, cTrader, TradingView, Blueberry.X, and web-based trading.
You’ll learn about available instruments across forex, commodities, indices, share CFDs, and crypto CFDs, along with leverage options, minimum and maximum trade sizes, and how Blueberry structures its Standard and Raw accounts.
We also explain spreads, commissions, swap rates, swap-free account availability, funding and withdrawal methods, processing times, and what traders can expect from customer support and additional services.
Watch the full review to see whether Blueberry’s trading setup aligns with your experience level, strategy, and risk tolerance.
📣 Stay up to date with the latest in finance and trading. Follow Finance Magnates for industry news, insights, and global event coverage.
Connect with us:
🔗 LinkedIn: /financemagnates
👍 Facebook: /financemagnates
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/financemagnates
🐦 X: https://x.com/financemagnates
🎥 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/tag/financemagnates
▶️ YouTube: /@financemagnates_official
#Blueberry #BlueberryMarkets #BrokerReview #ForexBroker #CFDTrading #OnlineTrading #FinanceMagnates #TradingPlatforms #MarketInsights
In this video, we take an in-depth look at @BlueberryMarketsForex , a forex and CFD broker operating since 2016, offering access to multiple trading platforms, over 1,000 instruments, and flexible account types for different trading styles.
We break down Blueberry’s regulatory structure, including its Australian Financial Services License (AFSL), as well as its authorisation and registrations in other jurisdictions. The review also covers supported platforms such as MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, cTrader, TradingView, Blueberry.X, and web-based trading.
You’ll learn about available instruments across forex, commodities, indices, share CFDs, and crypto CFDs, along with leverage options, minimum and maximum trade sizes, and how Blueberry structures its Standard and Raw accounts.
We also explain spreads, commissions, swap rates, swap-free account availability, funding and withdrawal methods, processing times, and what traders can expect from customer support and additional services.
Watch the full review to see whether Blueberry’s trading setup aligns with your experience level, strategy, and risk tolerance.
📣 Stay up to date with the latest in finance and trading. Follow Finance Magnates for industry news, insights, and global event coverage.
Connect with us:
🔗 LinkedIn: /financemagnates
👍 Facebook: /financemagnates
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/financemagnates
🐦 X: https://x.com/financemagnates
🎥 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/tag/financemagnates
▶️ YouTube: /@financemagnates_official
#Blueberry #BlueberryMarkets #BrokerReview #ForexBroker #CFDTrading #OnlineTrading #FinanceMagnates #TradingPlatforms #MarketInsights
