Bitwise CIO Matt Hougan has stated that a growing number of professional investors are skipping Bitcoin and turning directly to Ethereum as their first crypto investment. This has long been regarded as the entry point into digital assets, and Bitcoin is now sharing the spotlight with Ethereum. Ethereum Emerging As First Choice For Professional Investors In Ripdoteth’s update on X, Bitwise CIO Matt Hougan has revealed on live that an interesting trend is emerging. He claims that many professional investors are bypassing Bitcoin and going directly to Ethereum, whose utility in decentralized finance, smart contracts, and Web3 applications is increasingly drawing institutional capital. The reason he explains is rooted in how institutions already think about portfolio construction. Related Reading: You Know Bitmine Has Been Buying Ethereum, But Can You Believe How Much ETH The Company Now Holds? According to the expert, most professional investors don’t actually own gold. This is because Gold is considered a niche asset, with perhaps only 15% to 20% of institutions holding it, while the vast majority of 80% or more invest in stocks and bonds. Since Bitcoin is often framed as digital gold, its appeal is limited for many professionals who never allocated to gold in the first place. “A lot of people look at Bitcoin like it’s digital gold. I don’t own gold, but I do own technologies,” Hougan stated. ETH fits naturally into the portfolios of those who already allocate to innovative technologies. With tokenization and stablecoins gaining traction, he expects institutional flow into ETH to continue building momentum. ETH Hits All-Time Highs As Institutions Target Long-Term Holdings While institutions see Ethereum as the exposure to the technological backbone of a digital economy, Wall Street FOMO has hit historic levels, as the US institutional appetite for ETH is reaching unprecedented heights. Related Reading: Bitcoin & Ethereum Whale Populations Quietly Growing, On-Chain Data Reveals Crypto trader Bull Theory has highlighted that in August 2025 alone, Ethereum Spot ETFs purchased $3.87 billion worth of ETH, driven almost entirely by professional investors chasing long-term exposure. Leading the charge is $11 trillion asset manager BlackRock, which allocated $3.38 billion worth of ETH and $707 million in Bitcoin, highlighting a clear preference for ETH over BTC. This wave of institutional buying pushed Ethereum to new all-time highs in August. Importantly, the majority of these purchases are intended for long-term holdings, reducing immediate sell pressure and supporting sustained price momentum. If ETH closes above $4,630, it will mark the highest monthly close since the 2021 bull run. Furthermore, Ethereum’s transaction volumes surged past $320 billion on-chain, reflecting broad engagement across decentralized finance, stablecoins, and tokenized assets. Meanwhile, staking continues to attract Wall Street attention, with nearly 36 million ETH, which is 29% of the total circulating supply, now locked in staking contracts. With 3% staking rewards, Ethereum provides institutional investors with a steady dividend, making it more appealing for long-term portfolios. Featured image from iStock, chart from Tradingview.com
Ethereum (ETH) is currently trading above the $4,400 level, showing resilience despite recent selling pressure and market-wide volatility. However, price action has entered a consolidation phase, with bulls struggling to reclaim higher levels and momentum appearing muted. This has fueled speculation across the market, as analysts remain divided on ETH’s next move. Related Reading: Solana Investors Cash Out Nearly $1-B As SOL Tests Key Price Level Some market participants expect Ethereum to retrace below $4,000, pointing to weakening momentum and sustained resistance near the $4,600–$4,800 range. They argue that a correction could provide healthier conditions for the next major leg upward. On the other hand, more optimistic analysts see this consolidation as a launchpad for a breakout, with ETH potentially pushing above the $5,000 mark in the coming weeks if demand remains strong. Supporting the bullish case, CryptoQuant data reveals that despite Ethereum’s ongoing correction following its recent all-time high, demand for ETH remains robust. Exchange reserves continue to trend lower as investors withdraw their holdings, while onchain activity highlights persistent accumulation. This divergence between price volatility and underlying demand suggests that ETH fundamentals remain solid. Ethereum Demand Remains Strong Despite Correction According to CryptoQuant analyst Crypto SunMoon, Ethereum continues to demonstrate strong investor interest despite its recent price correction. After reaching new all-time highs, ETH has entered a consolidation phase, pulling back from peak levels. Yet, unlike many assets that typically see declining demand during corrections, Ethereum’s fundamentals show a different picture. Data highlights a clear divergence between Ethereum and Bitcoin reserves on Binance. While Bitcoin reserves have remained relatively stable, Ethereum reserves have shown a persistent downward trend. This consistent outflow indicates that market participants are actively withdrawing ETH from exchanges, a common sign of accumulation. Investors appear more inclined to hold Ethereum in private wallets or deploy it in decentralized finance (DeFi), reflecting growing confidence in its long-term potential. This trend also aligns with the broader capital rotation from Bitcoin to Ethereum that has been unfolding in recent weeks. Reports of whales moving billions into ETH have repeatedly surfaced, reinforcing the narrative that large players are positioning for Ethereum’s next major move. Even as short-term volatility pressures the price, demand dynamics suggest that institutional and whale interest is not only intact but increasing. For many analysts, this divergence between stable Bitcoin reserves and falling Ethereum reserves underscores Ethereum’s leadership in the current market cycle. While BTC remains the benchmark for crypto, ETH’s role as a cornerstone of DeFi, Layer 2 scaling, and institutional adoption continues to attract capital. Ultimately, the resilience of Ethereum’s demand during a corrective phase signals strength beneath the surface. If accumulation persists, the consolidation period could set the stage for Ethereum’s next breakout, potentially pushing prices toward the $5,000 level and beyond. Related Reading: Galaxy Digital Sells 1,167 Bitcoin Amid Ongoing Volatility Price Analysis: Holding Key Support Amid Consolidation Ethereum (ETH) is currently trading around $4,440, holding above key support levels despite recent volatility. The chart shows that ETH has been consolidating after retracing from its recent all-time highs near the $4,900 region. Importantly, the 50-day moving average (blue line) continues to act as immediate support, aligning closely with the current trading zone. The price action reflects indecision as bulls attempt to defend the $4,400–$4,300 zone, which has now become a critical demand area. A breakdown below this range could expose ETH to further downside toward the $4,000 psychological level and the 100-day moving average (green line), which would serve as the next layer of support. On the other hand, reclaiming momentum above $4,600 could pave the way for another test of the $4,800–$5,000 region. Related Reading: Ethereum Demand Climbs As Monthly Transactions Hit New All-Time High From a technical perspective, the consolidation phase appears constructive as ETH continues to trade above its 200-day moving average (red line), highlighting the strength of its long-term bullish structure. While selling pressure remains visible, fundamentals and recent whale accumulation trends provide a supportive backdrop. The coming sessions will be decisive, with ETH needing to hold current support levels to prevent a deeper retrace and set up for its next breakout attempt. Featured image from Dall-E, chart from TradingView
A long-dormant Bitcoin “OG” has been rotating billions of dollars’ worth of BTC into ETH over the past two weeks, executing the bulk of the trades on Hyperliquid and withdrawing large tranches of ETH to self-custody—before staking a significant portion on the Beacon Chain. Bitcoin OG Whale Still Rotates Into ETH On-chain sleuth “MLM” has chronicled the flows in real time. In the most recent 46-hour window, the address cluster associated with the trader sold 7,000 BTC (≈$759 million at reference prices used by MLM) and bought 171,791.84 ETH (≈$773 million). MLM added that 3,000 BTC remained in the actively used source address—likely earmarked for further rotation—while two older wallets still held a combined 46,816 BTC (≈$5.07 billion). Cumulatively across the past 11 days, MLM tallied 34,110 BTC sold (≈$3.7 billion) and 813,298.84 ETH purchased (≈$3.66 billion), using $108,400 per BTC and $4,500 per ETH as baseline pricing for comparability. The execution venue has become part of the story. Hyperliquid’s public explorer (HypurrScan) shows heavy activity at the Hyperliquid account cited by MLM, corresponding with phased BTC deposits and batched ETH withdrawals. “MoonOverlord”—a trader—downplayed the mystery around the venue choice: “idk why it’s bizarre? it’s a trade, he picked the best venue.” MLM replied that the oddity is not the platform but that “the identity of this person is unknown, and he decided to swap such a large amount of BTC to ETH, which is unusual for a ‘og’ bitcoin whale.” Related Reading: Bitcoin Risks Deeper Losses If $107,800 Line Fails To Hold – Details Arkham Intelligence independently flagged the same entity, writing: “THIS WHALE JUST BOUGHT $430M OF ETH – AND STILL HAS $650M LEFT TO BUY,” and identifying specific addresses on both chains. According to Arkham, the whale “has purchased over $3 BILLION of ETH in total and staked the majority of it,” with flows linking a BTC source wallet beginning “169q…” and an ETH receiver “0x6167…”. Those staking claims are now visible on-chain. On September 1, funding flows from 0x6167… led to a “Beacon Depositor” account that submitted a series of deposit transactions totaling 165,010 ETH to Ethereum’s staking contract, with dozens of 30,000 ETH-sized and 15,010 ETH-sized deposit calls posted within the same hour. The deposit contract view and the funding trail from 0x6167… corroborate that a substantial slice of the newly acquired ETH has moved directly into staking. On the Bitcoin side, the active source wallet “169q…” and two long-idle companion wallets “17MWd…” and “12Xqe…” anchor the cluster that MLM has been tracking since last week. Mempool records show recent inter-wallet activity and outputs from 169q… consistent with the staged deposits to Hyperliquid described in the thread. Related Reading: Bitcoin Price Closes Below STH Realized Price For The 2nd Time In 2025 — Details The trader’s provenance is still speculative. MLM argues the entity is “presumably Asian,” noting that the original BTC was accumulated seven to eight years ago via Asia-linked platforms and miners—“HTX, OKX, ViaBTC (a mining pool), Bixin (a miner), and Binance.” But MLM cautioned readers not to over-interpret intent: “Of course, don’t take this prediction as financial advice, since it’s all speculation for now and we don’t know the intentions of this whale.” $5 Billion Selloff Still Looms While commentators are debating motives, the mechanics are clear: staged BTC funding to a single trading venue, piecemeal ETH fills to minimize slippage, rapid withdrawals to self-custody, and swift conversion of a large portion to staked ETH. The cadence of deposits and withdrawals—some clustered over weekends—also lines up with timing observations in MLM’s logs and Arkham’s updates. What remains uncertain is how much further the rotation will go. MLM’s running ledger suggested that at least several thousand BTC were still poised to move: “Additionally, there’s another combined 46.816 BTC ($5.07B) across these wallets: 17MWd [and] 12Xqeq. Of this, another 14.495 BTC ($1.57B) might get rotated based on previous activity, though it’s unclear what will happen with the remaining 32.321 BTC ($3.5B). At this point, it looks like he is rotating everything lol.” At press time, BTC traded at $109,621. Featured image created with DALL.E, chart from TradingView.com
Ethereum showed fresh buying pressure this week after reports that a major Bitcoin whale dramatically increased its Ether holdings, a move market watchers say could reshape short-term flows. Related Reading: XRP ETF Launch Could See $5B Inflows, Outpacing Ethereum ETFs: CEO Major Whale Moves Into Ether According to reports, one of the earliest and most influential Bitcoin whales bought roughly 820,220 ETH over the course of two weeks, a haul valued at about $3.6 billion at current prices. The purchases were logged across multiple addresses and have drawn attention because they represent a large transfer of capital into Ether rather than Bitcoin. Traders say such concentrated accumulation can lift sentiment and draw other large holders into the market. Ethereum’s latest trading performance has mirrored the big move. At the time of reporting, ETH traded around $4,390, with a 24-hour trading volume of $39 billion and a market cap near $538 billion. ???? THIS OG BITCOIN WHALE HAS BOUGHT 820,224 ETH WORTH $3.6 BILLION IN JUST 2 WEEKS. HE DEFINITELY KNOWS SOMETHING ???? pic.twitter.com/iG9Su2BGZE — Ash Crypto (@Ashcryptoreal) August 31, 2025 The token was up 2% over the previous day. Those raw numbers underline that demand for Ether remains high even as some parts of the market pull back. Derivatives activity tells a more mixed story. Reported data shows derivatives volume fell 14% to $61 billion, while open interest climbed 2.90% to $60 billion. The OI Weighted metric declined -0.0007%, a small drop that indicates a minimal reduction in positioning strength. According to these movements, dealers comment that the market may be consolidating: less new trades but more positions held. Ether Price Forecast And Sentiment Mixing technicals with on-chain data, current forecasts point to moderate upside. Based on the latest prediction, Ether is expected to rise 11% and reach $4,870 by October 1, 2025. Market sentiment is listed as Bullish while the Fear & Greed Index reads 46 (Fear). Over the last 30 days, ETH logged 47% green days and an 9% price volatility reading. Those indicators suggest a market that has room to run, but which still carries meaningful uncertainty. $ETH has been holding up really well compared to BTC. But there’s still a chance of $4K retest. Just take a look at huge liquidity clusters and you’ll understand. Just keep one thing in mind: I’m just short-term bearish. pic.twitter.com/D9XIrxr5zq — Ted (@TedPillows) August 31, 2025 Analysts have offered a cautionary note. According to analyst Ted, ETH’s recent outperformance versus Bitcoin may pause for a brief retest around $4,000 as liquidity clusters are swept and traders reassess exposure. He points to order-book dynamics that often trigger a pullback before new upward moves — a pattern that has played out in prior rallies. Related Reading: Ethereum Bullishness: Ark Invest Boss Scoops $16-M More In BitMine Stock What Traders Are Watching Investors and desks say they are watching three things: the flow of large on-chain buys, whether derivatives open interest continues to rise, and whether price holds above key support near $4,000. Reports of whale accumulation have sparked talk of rising institutional interest, but the drop in spot derivatives volume shows some short-term participants stepping back to wait. Featured image from Meta, chart from TradingView
Ethereum co-founder and ConsenSys CEO Joseph Lubin ignited ETH discourse on August 30 with an unusually expansive thesis about the network’s monetary and institutional trajectory, arguing that Wall Street will migrate its core infrastructure onto Ethereum rails and that ETH “will likely 100x from here,” ultimately “flippen[ing] the Bitcoin/BTC monetary base.” “I am 100% aligned with almost all of what Tom @fundstrat says here,” Lubin wrote, before mapping out a future in which major financial firms “stake, run validators, [and] operate L2s/L3s,” build DeFi exposure and “write smart contract software for agreements, processes and financial instruments.” Related Reading: Ethereum Demand Climbs As Monthly Transactions Hit New All-Time High He singled out JPMorgan as a bank already steeped in Ethereum technology since “2014–2015.” “The one quibble that I have with what Tom has been saying… he is not nearly bullish enough,” Lubin added. “But the real problem is that it is not possible to be bullish enough.” Lubin’s Big Plans For Ethereum Lubin also attempted to puncture a popular narrative about scaling tradeoffs, contending that “the narrative of L2s cannibalizing L1 will very soon be shattered.” He pointed readers to Consensys’ Linea network and a newly public “Proof-of-Burn” initiative as examples of coordination mechanisms that could strengthen Ethereum’s base layer economics rather than dilute them. The second leg of Lubin’s thesis centered on tokenizing Ethereum’s burn into a transferable primitive dubbed BETH, introduced last week by the Ethereum Community Foundation (ECF). In follow-up posts, Lubin prodded the ecosystem to “dig into all the ramifications of tokenizing and explicitly accounting for burned ETH,” even floating a playful incentive experiment: “Would you burn a bit of ETH for [a @BanklessHQ] episode? … Would some of you send some of that BETH to @BanklessHQ?” Beyond media stunts, he sketched potential demand sinks and governance uses: “Would there be a growing demand for BETH as it takes on signaling and voting power in many different contexts?” Under the ECF design, BETH is an immutable ERC-20 that mints 1:1 when ETH is provably destroyed. The contract forwards deposits to the canonical burn address and issues BETH to the depositor; supply equals cumulative burned ETH by construction, with no admin keys and no redemption path back to ETH. This makes burn—not issuance—the productive act that yields a new asset representing alignment with scarcity. The reference implementation and contract address were published by ECF alongside a blog explainer. Related Reading: Ethereum To $5,500 In Weeks, $12,000 By Year-End, Tom Lee Predicts Lubin then speculated on derivative layers that might emerge on top of BETH—“BBETH, BBBETH, etc.”—as context-specific assets. He analogized this to early “colored coins” on Bitcoin, with a critical distinction: these “shades of BETH” would live natively in Ethereum’s token standards and tooling, eliminating the off-chain recognition problem that stymied first-generation experiments. “One could think of [BBETH/BBBETH] as a more refined element of ‘cracked ETH’… more scarce,” Lubin wrote, suggesting games and other constrained economies as potential testbeds. The near-term market framing came via Fundstrat’s Tom Lee, whose latest public commentary has been notably constructive on Ethereum’s institutional arc. Lee has argued that Wall Street’s operational stack is migrating to blockchains, that ETFs and staking rails provide investable wrappers for compliance-first capital, and that Ethereum could be the “biggest macro trade over the next ten to fifteen years.” Lubin, for his part, said the two “get on calls intermittently” to coordinate strategy in areas of overlap while “competing in highly differentiated ways.” At press time, ETH was trading around $4,399. Featured image created with DALL.E, chart from TradingView.com
Ethereum price started a fresh decline below the $4,650 zone. ETH is now showing bearish signs and might gain bearish momentum if it drops below $4,340. Ethereum is still struggling to settle above the $4,500 zone. The price is trading below $4,500 and the 100-hourly Simple Moving Average. There is a key bearish trend line forming with resistance at $4,460 on the hourly chart of ETH/USD (data feed via Kraken). The pair could extend losses and dive if there is a close below $4,340 in the near term. Ethereum Price Dips Again Ethereum price started a recovery wave after it tested the $4,260 zone, like Bitcoin. ETH price was able to climb above the $4,320 and $4,350 resistance levels. The price surpassed the 50% Fib retracement level of the key decline from the $4,660 swing high to the $4,261 low. However, the bears remained active near the $4,480 resistance zone. There were two attempts, but the bulls failed to gain strength to clear $4,500. The 61.8% Fib retracement level of the key decline from the $4,660 swing high to the $4,261 low is acting as a barrier. The price reacted to the downside below $4,450. Ethereum price is now trading below $4,450 and the 100-hourly Simple Moving Average. Besides, there is a key bearish trend line forming with resistance at $4,460 on the hourly chart of ETH/USD. On the upside, the price could face resistance near the $4,450 level. The next key resistance is near the $4,480 level. The first major resistance is near the $4,500 level. A clear move above the $4,500 resistance might send the price toward the $4,565 resistance. An upside break above the $4,565 resistance might call for more gains in the coming sessions. In the stated case, Ether could rise toward the $4,650 resistance zone or even $4,720 in the near term. More Losses In ETH? If Ethereum fails to clear the $4,500 resistance, it could continue to move down. Initial support on the downside is near the $4,375 level. The first major support sits near the $4,340 zone. A clear move below the $4,340 support might push the price toward the $4,320 support. Any more losses might send the price toward the $4,260 support level in the near term. The next key support sits at $4,150. Technical Indicators Hourly MACD – The MACD for ETH/USD is gaining momentum in the bearish zone. Hourly RSI – The RSI for ETH/USD is now below the 50 zone. Major Support Level – $4,340 Major Resistance Level – $4,500
August saw $751M exit U.S. Bitcoin ETFs even as Ethereum funds pulled in nearly $4B, underscoring diverging institutional appetites as BTC stalls
US-based crypto ETFs have witnessed a change in dynamics in August, which has seen inflows tipping towards Ethereum ETFs. However, last week’s trend of strong inflows ended with substantial outflows on Friday, with Ethereum ETFs leading the retreat with $164.64 million and Bitcoin ETFs following with $126.64 million. This sudden reversal coincides with an interesting timing of stubborn inflation data that seems to have rattled institutional investors. Related Reading: Ethereum Bullishness: Ark Invest Boss Scoops $16-M More In BitMine Stock A Sudden Reversal At Week’s End According to data from Farside Investors, US-based Spot Ethereum ETFs ended the week with $164.64 million in outflows. The outflows came from Fidelity’s FETH with $51 million, Bitwise’s ETHW with $23.7 million, Grayscale’s ETHE with $28.6 million, and Grayscale’s ETH with $61.3 million. BlackRock, on the other hand, witnessed neither inflows nor outflows into its Spot ETH ETFs, alongside 21Shares, VanEck, Invesco, and Franklin Templeton Ethereum ETFs. Friday’s outflows were a jarring departure from the steady gain that had defined Ethereum’s Spot ETFs since August 21. Ethereum’s six-day inflow streak, which had added about $1.876 billion, was brought to an abrupt end with the outflows on Friday. As a result, total assets under management for Spot Ethereum ETFs dipped to $28.58 billion. Ethereum ETF Flow: Farside Investors Meanwhile, Spot Bitcoin ETFs also recorded their first daily decline since August 22 with $126.64 million in outflows on Friday. As a result, their total assets under management dropped to $139.95 billion. However, not every issuer felt the pressure with Bitcoin. Fidelity’s FBTC led the exodus with $66.2 million, followed by ARKB’s $72.07 million and GBTC’s $15.3 million in outflows. On the other hand, BlackRock’s IBIT still managed $24.63 million in inflows and WisdomTree’s BTCW drew in $2.3 million amid the wider outflows. Bitcoin ETF Flow: Farside Investors The underlying cause of the outflows can be attributed to investors digesting the latest data on inflation released on Friday. Notably, the US core Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) index climbed 2.9% year-over-year in July, the fastest pace since February, creating fears that the Federal Reserve may hold off on rate cuts. What May Lie Ahead This Week As a new trading week begins, Spot ETF flow in both Ethereum and Bitcoin is likely to depend on how investors continue to interpret the data. If inflation pressures persist, institutional investors may retreat further at the beginning of the week. However, any signs of cooling could see inflows resume mid-week, particularly into Ethereum, where fundamentals are currently favorable. On the price side of things, Bitcoin’s hold above the $108,000 price may offer some relief. However, it needs to stay above $110,000 in order for any upside move to gain momentum. At the time of writing, Bitcoin is trading at $109,910. Related Reading: XRP Price Could See Boost As Japanese Gaming Giant Commits 2.5-B Yen Investment For Ethereum, a daily close above $4,500 could confirm the return of bullish confidence, whereas a slide below $4,400 might signal further weakness. At the time of writing, Ethereum is trading at $4,470, up by 1.7% in the past 24 hours. Featured image from Unsplash, chart from TradingView
Alex Krüger says recent liquidations and scary charts could set up a bullish rebound, though conviction trends may wait until after the Fed’s Sept. 17 decision.
Ethereum is trading at a critical level after several days of selling pressure and mounting speculation, with bulls struggling to maintain momentum as Bitcoin and the broader crypto market turn bearish. Price action has shifted into a cautious phase, and ETH now faces the challenge of defending key demand zones that could determine the weeks ahead. Related Reading: Bitcoin Index Highlights Two Accumulations And Five Distribution Waves This Cycle – Details Despite this pullback, Ethereum remains the standout performer in the market. Fresh data from Glassnode reveals that over the past month, no altcoin sector has outperformed ETH, although DeFi and Layer 2 ecosystems came close. This resilience underscores Ethereum’s dominance even in times of broader market weakness, reinforcing its role as the backbone of decentralized finance and blockchain infrastructure. The trend also suggests that the market is entering what many analysts describe as “Ethereum season,” where ETH leads performance and capital rotation from Bitcoin into altcoins begins to accelerate. With institutions, whales, and retail investors watching closely, Ethereum’s ability to hold its ground while others falter highlights its strength heading into the next stage of the cycle. Ethereum Leads Market As Capital Rotation Accelerates According to Glassnode, Ethereum has established itself as the clear leader in the market over the past month. No altcoin sector has managed to outperform ETH during this period, with only DeFi and Layer 2 ecosystems coming close. Notably, most altcoin sectors ended the month in decline, reinforcing Ethereum’s relative strength in a volatile environment. This performance signals a clear shift in capital rotation, as flows begin moving away from Bitcoin and into Ethereum, marking what many analysts see as the beginning of a new stage in the cycle. Capital rotation has long been a hallmark of crypto market dynamics. Traditionally, rallies begin with Bitcoin dominance before liquidity spreads into Ethereum and then, eventually, into smaller altcoins. The latest data shows ETH taking center stage in this process, attracting both institutional interest and whale accumulation. This suggests that investors view Ethereum as the next engine of growth, supported by strong fundamentals and expanding adoption across DeFi, NFTs, and enterprise use cases. Still, sentiment remains divided. Some analysts argue that this cycle is structurally longer, stretched by institutional products like spot ETFs and increased global adoption, meaning Ethereum could continue to outperform for months. Others remain cautious, warning that the market’s current weakness could be the early signal of a broader bearish trend. Regardless of these opposing views, Ethereum’s leadership in performance and its ability to outpace nearly every altcoin sector highlight its growing importance in defining the next stage of the crypto market. For many, ETH is setting the tone for where capital flows—and opportunities—are headed next. Related Reading: Ethereum Exchange Reserves Decline – Strong Accumulation Signal ETH Pulls Back After Explosive Rally Ethereum is trading around $4,366 after a sharp weekly decline of nearly 9%, following its recent push to new highs near $4,800. The weekly chart highlights a powerful rally that began earlier this summer, lifting ETH from lows below $2,000 to almost double its value in just a few months. However, the latest red candle shows that sellers are stepping in as the market digests this steep run-up. Despite the correction, ETH remains firmly above its major moving averages. The 50-week ($2,863), 100-week ($2,819), and 200-week ($2,446) moving averages are all trending upward, confirming that the long-term structure is still bullish. These levels now serve as strong layers of support should deeper retracements occur. Related Reading: Bitcoin Supply In Profit Hits Historical Threshold – Echoing Past Patterns In the short term, Ethereum is testing the $4,200–$4,300 demand zone, which aligns with previous resistance levels from 2022 and early 2024. Holding this zone would strengthen the case for consolidation before another attempt at breaking $4,800. A failure, however, could open the door for a move back toward $3,800. Featured image from Dall-E, chart from TradingView
Ethereum has faced selling pressure and heightened volatility in recent days, testing the resolve of investors after setting fresh all-time highs last Sunday. Since then, ETH has retraced more than 11%, slipping back to key demand levels that could determine its short-term trajectory. The sharp pullback has introduced renewed uncertainty into the market, with traders debating whether this correction signals a pause before another rally or the beginning of deeper downside. Related Reading: Bitcoin Index Highlights Two Accumulations And Five Distribution Waves This Cycle – Details Despite the recent weakness in price action, Ethereum’s fundamentals remain strong. On-chain activity continues to expand, highlighting the network’s resilience even as market sentiment wavers. Many analysts argue that this strength provides the foundation for a potential rebound, with ETH well-positioned to surge again once the market stabilizes. Top analyst Ted Pillows shared fresh data reinforcing this view, revealing that Ethereum Monthly Transactions have just hit a new all-time high. The milestone reflects not only sustained adoption but also growing usage of the Ethereum network across various applications, from DeFi to NFTs and beyond. For investors, this divergence between volatile price action and strong fundamentals suggests that Ethereum’s long-term trajectory remains intact, even as the market navigates its latest correction. Ethereum Fundamentals Strengthen As Transactions Hit Record High According to Pillows, Ethereum monthly transactions have just reached a new all-time high of 46,990,000, underscoring the network’s ability to scale and thrive in all market conditions. Even as ETH faces short-term selling pressure and volatility, this milestone highlights the underlying strength of Ethereum’s fundamentals. The surge in activity reflects continued adoption across DeFi, NFTs, and institutional-grade applications, proving that demand for Ethereum’s infrastructure remains robust. For Pillows, the data makes one thing clear: the recent bearish price action is little more than market noise. Ethereum has historically endured sharp retracements even during bullish phases, and this latest 11% pullback is consistent with prior consolidation patterns. Behind the scenes, large players are taking advantage of the volatility. Whales have been buying heavily, adding to positions while prices remain under pressure, a signal that confidence in Ethereum’s long-term trajectory remains intact. Global adoption further reinforces this narrative. With institutions, retail investors, and entire ecosystems increasingly relying on Ethereum for transactions and settlement, the network is cementing itself as the backbone of decentralized finance. Currently, ETH is holding a critical demand zone that could determine its path over the coming weeks. If support holds, the combination of record transaction activity, whale accumulation, and growing adoption may set the stage for Ethereum’s next major move upward, possibly toward another attempt at breaking past $5,000. Related Reading: Ethereum Exchange Reserves Decline – Strong Accumulation Signal Ethereum Holds Key Support Amid Volatility Ethereum is trading around $4,362 after several days of heightened volatility, with the 4-hour chart showing ETH holding above a critical support zone near $4,300. This level has become a battleground between buyers and sellers, as price retraced sharply from highs near $4,800 earlier this month. The chart highlights ETH trading just below the 50-day moving average at $4,558 and the 100-day at $4,490, both of which now act as resistance. Reclaiming these levels will be crucial for bulls to regain momentum and attempt another push toward $4,600 and ultimately the $4,800 zone. Until then, short-term sentiment remains cautious, as ETH consolidates below these key moving averages. Related Reading: Bitcoin Supply In Profit Hits Historical Threshold – Echoing Past Patterns On the downside, the $4,300 level is a critical line in the sand. A decisive breakdown could expose ETH to a deeper pullback toward $4,175, where the 200-day moving average sits. Holding above, however, would suggest that buyers are quietly absorbing selling pressure and preparing for another move higher. Ethereum remains in consolidation mode, with price action reflecting a tug-of-war between bearish momentum and strong demand at support. The next breakout from this range will likely dictate ETH’s trajectory into September. Featured image from Dall-E, chart from TradingView
Ethereum has become the backbone of innovation in the digital asset space, serving as the foundation on which nearly every transformative trend in crypto is built. As adoption accelerates and new technologies converge, Ethereum’s role as the essential infrastructure is powering the future of global digital assets. Ethereum As The Digital Asset Operating System Of The Future In the rapidly evolving digital asset landscape, one concept remains clear that every major trend eventually finds its foundation on Ethereum. According to SharpLink Gaming’s post on X, ETH is not just another digital asset, but rather the reserve asset of the on-chain economy, which is a cornerstone that underpins the digital financial system of the future. Related Reading: Ethereum Is Positioned As The Backbone Of AI-Powered Finance, Here’s Why By strategically holding and compounding ETH on behalf of our stockholders, SharpLink is not simply investing in a token, but investing in the future of finance itself. This conviction reflects the company’s belief that Ethereum’s network effects will only strengthen, making ETH the backbone of digital markets for years to come. Being the reserve asset of the on-chain economy, ETH might attract significant usage, which is likely to bolster its price in the near future. Analyst Daan Crypto Trades has revealed that Ethereum recently swept past its 2021 all-time high but faced a rejection. This is a normal occurrence in crypto markets, as all-time high breaks are often messy, involving significant shakeouts. Many traders attempt to position themselves ahead of a breakout, anticipating the next phase of price discovery. However, this move often results in those trading long positions being flushed out, forcing the participants to exit the market in frustration. Daan emphasizes the importance of weekly closes above the prior all-time high. Such closes are critical, as they provide stronger confirmation that a genuine breakout is underway, which signals a sustainable move rather than a temporary spike. Until then, volatility and temporary pullbacks are part of the market’s behavior during price discovery. Accumulation Strategies For Strategic Investors Ethereum may be facing bearish pressure, but Ted has noted that the altcoin is on track to reach $10,000 in this cycle. However, before the surge to that milestone kicks off, a short-term correction may be imminent. Historically, September has often acted as a pause or pullback month in the crypto market, creating ideal opportunities for accumulation. Related Reading: Ethereum Price Breakout Sets Stage For Rally Toward $5,400 – Analyst Ted sees this as a strategic moment for investors to position themselves ahead of a potential major surge in Q4 2025. However, the scenario could shift dramatically if Ethereum experiences a green September. Such strength would signal overwhelming momentum and potentially trigger a series of consecutive bullish moves in the months ahead, with the $10,000 target in sight. Featured image from Getty Images, chart from Tradingview.com
Ethereum is staring down one of its most significant supply risks as more than 1 million ETH, valued at $5 billion, lines up for withdrawal from staking. The unprecedented exit queue has ignited debate over whether the network could face a wave of selling pressure or if the movement marks a rotation of capital within the Ethereum ecosystem. Ethereum Sees Record Validator Exodus Ethereum faces what analysts describe as the largest validator exit events in its Proof of Stake (PoS) history. Blockchain data from ValidatorQueue shows more than 1 million Ether, worth roughly $5 billion, awaiting withdrawal. Notably, validators, who play a central role in securing the network by adding new blocks and verifying transactions, have lined up to withdraw their tokens. This surge in exits has pushed the waiting period to a record of 18 days, as of writing. Related Reading: Ethereum Enters Price Discovery With ATH Breakout, Why $18,000 Is Possible Etherscan also reports that on August 20, Ethereum’s validator exit queue surged past 916,000 ETH, the highest level in over a year. That figure ballooned to more than 1 million in less than two weeks, highlighting the rapid acceleration of withdrawals. At the same time, however, Ethereum’s entry queue also expanded—rising from just 150,000 ETH to over 580,000 ETH—creating a net staking increase of about 200,000 ETH in the past week. The timing of this upcoming withdrawal coincides with Ethereum’s significant price growth, which has seen the cryptocurrency gain more than 72% over the past few months. A substantial share of this pending Ether could be sold as stakers lock in profit after a rally. Moreover, if a large fraction of the $5 billion supply is unloaded on the open market, ETH could experience a sharp wave of sell pressure. However, while headline figures appear alarming, analysts caution against assuming that all withdrawn Ether will be dumped. Crypto market expert Joe Swanson notes that institutional buyers and Ethereum ETFs have been absorbing substantial amounts of ETH, thereby cushioning the potential downside. He argues that although the exit queue suggests short-term turbulence, the cryptocurrency’s long-term trajectory remains bullish, with projections still targeting levels above $5,000. Exits Signal ETH Market Rotation, Not Abandonment ValidatorQueue’s data highlights that while the exit queue surpasses 1 million, the entry queue sits above 726,000. This implies a net staking outflow of over 320,000 ETH, indicating a possible rotation of capital rather than wholesale abandonment. Related Reading: Machine Learning Algorithm Predicts Ethereum Price Will Cross $9,000, Here’s When Supporting this, crypto expert Minal Thukral stressed on X that the spike in the ETH validator queue should not be misinterpreted as a crisis. Thukral noted that Ethereum’s protocol is designed to intentionally rate-limit exits to ensure network stability, meaning congestion may not be the issue. According to the analyst, validator exits are better understood as capital rotations. He explained that large stakers are likely reallocating funds into liquid staking services, restating, or adjusting positions in anticipation of ETFs. At the same time, demand to enter the staking queue remains strong. This interplay between exits and entries paints a picture of a maturing market, with the real question being where the withdrawn ETH will flow next. Featured image from Pixabay, chart from Tradingview.com
During a recent interview on Fox Business, VanEck CEO Jan van Eck shared his view on which cryptocurrency he believes has become the top choice among Wall Street investors. He made it clear that the answer is not XRP, a token many expected to fill that role. According to him, Ethereum is becoming the primary choice for banks and large financial companies due to the rise of stablecoins and digital currencies, and institutions that want to remain competitive cannot afford to ignore it. Ethereum Crowned The “Wall Street Token” By VanEck CEO Jan van Eck said Ethereum is the blockchain network to which Wall Street institutions are increasingly turning as its smart contracts and staking features provide practical applications in finance. According to the VanEck CEO, this may be why the digital currency is becoming an integral part of today’s financial systems, with institutions already using Ethereum for stablecoin payments, decentralized finance projects, and tokenized assets. Related Reading: Bitcoin OG Who Told People To Buy BTC At $1 Reveals How High XRP Price Will Go Data shows that over 19 public companies are holding 2.7 million ETH in their treasuries. Many of these companies are utilizing staking to generate a steady income. Investment advisers are also involved, with $1.3 billion in Ether ETF exposure, and Goldman Sachs accounts for more than half of that amount. VanEck itself has joined this trend. The global investment management firm launched its Ethereum ETF in July 2024 and now manages over $4 million in assets. While the fund tracks Ether’s price without holding the actual tokens, it underscores the CEO’s confidence in Ethereum’s long-term role in global finance. Stablecoin Boom Solidifies Ethereum’s Institutional Role Van Eck also connected Ethereum’s rise to the rapid expansion of stablecoins. He points to the GENIUS Act, a new law passed earlier this year that gave banks and institutions greater confidence in using stablecoins backed by the U.S. dollar. The law brought stablecoins into the regulated financial system, and Van Eck said this has only strengthened Ethereum’s role as the backbone of digital finance. Related Reading: Pundit Says Bitcoin Price Crash Is Not Over, Why A Decline Below $100,000 Is Coming “Every bank and every financial services company has to have a way of taking in stablecoins,” Van Eck said. He added that banks will eventually have to build on Ethereum or on chains that use “Ethereum-kind of methodology.” Currently, Ethereum controls over 50% of the $280 billion stablecoin market, and experts say this figure could grow into the trillions in the coming years. Van Eck says Ethereum could benefit the most from the adoption of stablecoins by more banks and institutions. For the VanEck CEO, Ethereum is more than an altcoin; it is now the network at the center of the future financial world. That is why he called it the “Wall Street token” and predicts that it will play a leading role in the stablecoin and digital dollar revolution. Featured image from DALL.E, chart from TradingView.com
Ethereum has been testing key demand levels after slipping below the $4,600 mark, a breakdown that has intensified selling pressure across the market. Bulls, who recently drove ETH to new highs, are now losing control as momentum fades, and fear is beginning to creep back into sentiment. Traders are closely watching whether Ethereum can hold support zones or if a deeper retrace is on the horizon. Related Reading: Bitcoin Supply In Profit Hits Historical Threshold – Echoing Past Patterns Yet, beneath this volatility, on-chain data tells a different story. Top analyst Darkfost shared fresh insights showing that Binance’s Ethereum reserves have dropped by more than 10% in less than a week. The exchange balance fell from nearly 5 million ETH to just under 4.5 million, a sharp decline that points to strong demand. Typically, when reserves on major exchanges fall, it means investors are moving their ETH into private wallets or DeFi protocols — often a bullish sign of accumulation. While speculation and short-term fear may be fueling the current drop in reserves, the fundamentals behind Ethereum remain solid. Strong demand, coupled with consistent outflows from exchanges, signals that large players are positioning for the long term. For many, this divergence between price action and fundamentals could shape Ethereum’s next decisive move. Ethereum Reserves On Binance Decline In less than a week, Ethereum reserves on Binance have recorded a steep decline, dropping by more than 10%. According to data shared by analyst Darkfost, the amount of ETH available on the exchange fell from 4,975,000 on August 23 to just 4,478,000 today. This reduction of nearly half a million ETH underscores a powerful shift in market dynamics, signaling that investors are actively withdrawing their holdings from the platform. When exchange reserves fall at this pace, the implication is clear: users are choosing to move their assets into self-custody or deploy them in decentralized finance protocols to earn yield. Both behaviors are widely regarded as bullish signals, as they reduce the immediate supply of ETH available for trading and selling on centralized exchanges. This trend often points to stronger conviction among holders and a preference for long-term accumulation rather than short-term speculation. While it is possible that internal transfers within Binance may have contributed to the overall decline, the consistent pace of outflows over several days suggests genuine market demand is at play. The drop in reserves comes at a time of heightened volatility for Ethereum, reinforcing the narrative that large investors continue to accumulate, even as price action remains choppy. Ultimately, the decline in Binance’s ETH reserves highlights an underlying strength in Ethereum’s fundamentals. Despite fears of selling pressure, the data suggests demand is firm, with investors positioning for what many expect to be the next phase of Ethereum’s rally. Related Reading: Bitcoin Normalized Address Activity Drops To 30%: Selling Pressure Eases Bulls Lose Support As Sellers Pressure Market Structure Ethereum is trading near $4,338 after slipping below the $4,400 level, signaling growing selling pressure in the short term. The 4-hour chart highlights a shift in momentum, with ETH now trading under the 50-day ($4,554) and 100-day ($4,499) moving averages. This breakdown suggests that bears have gained the upper hand after weeks of volatility. For now, ETH is holding above the 200-day moving average at $4,167, which acts as the last major line of defense for the broader uptrend. If bulls can stabilize the price here, Ethereum could attempt a rebound back toward the $4,500–$4,600 range, but momentum remains weak. The inability to sustain strength above $4,600 has left ETH vulnerable to further downside. Related Reading: Bitcoin Taker Buy/Sell Ratio Plunges To Lowest Since 2018: Strong Sell Signal Flashes If selling pressure continues, a deeper retrace toward $4,200 cannot be ruled out. This level coincides with prior demand zones and aligns with the 200-day moving average, making it a critical support area. Conversely, reclaiming $4,500 would be the first signal that buyers are regaining control. Featured image from Dall-E, chart from TradingView
Ethereum (ETH) is slowly making a larger market footprint as institutional capital continues to rotate away from Bitcoin. Spot Ether ETFs have recorded nearly $10 billion in inflows since July, far surpassing Bitcoin ETF demand over the same period. Related Reading: XRP Whales Unload Massive Bags: Distribution Or Trap? According to K33 Research, Bitcoin’s open interest has surged to a two-year high of $34 billion, raising concerns about excessive leverage, while Ethereum’s consistent capital inflows highlight growing confidence in its long-term role. Notably, a Bitcoin whale recently swapped 22,400 BTC for ETH, pushing Ethereum to a new all-time high near $4,956. This move accelerated the ETH/BTC ratio to 0.041, signaling that institutional money may be repositioning toward Ethereum’s ecosystem. Why ETH is Wall Street’s Favorite Crypto Wall Street has increasingly embraced Ethereum as the preferred blockchain for stablecoin settlements, decentralized finance (DeFi), and tokenized assets. VanEck CEO Jan van Eck even called ETH “the Wall Street token,” citing its programmable smart contracts and staking yields that set it apart from Bitcoin’s passive “digital gold” narrative. Data shows that over 19 public companies now hold 2.7 million ETH in their treasuries, leveraging staking for steady income. Similarly, investment advisers hold $1.3 billion in Ether ETF exposure, with Goldman Sachs accounting for more than half the amount. The GENIUS Act stablecoin legislation, passed earlier this year, has further boosted institutional confidence by cementing Ethereum’s role in regulated financial systems. ETH's price trends to the upside on the daily chart. Source: ETHUSD on Tradingview Ethereum Price Predictions: $6K–$12K Targets Analysts are increasingly bullish on Ethereum’s projections. Short-term targets point to a breakout above $5,200 and potentially $6,000 in September, with some projections extending as high as $12,000 by year-end. This optimism stems from Ethereum’s dominance in stablecoin infrastructure (over $145 billion), strong ETF flows, and improving technical setups. Historically, Ethereum rallies have coincided with altcoin seasons, but experts caution that the broader market has yet to show signs of overheating. With ETH currently trading around $4,620, analysts note that holding above $4,500 support could be the launchpad for the next major leg higher. Related Reading: XRP’s Biggest Doubter Just Dropped Close To $5 Price Bomb — Here’s Why As traditional finance merges deeper into decentralized ecosystems, Ethereum’s yield generation, programmability, and regulatory clarity positions it as the perfect asset to surpass Bitcoin in institutional adoption. Cover image from ChatGPT, ETHUSD on Tradingview
Ethereum price started a fresh decline from the $4,700 zone. ETH is now showing bearish signs and might gain bearish momentum if it declines below $4,400. Ethereum is still struggling to settle above the $4,630 zone. The price is trading below $4,550 and the 100-hourly Simple Moving Average. There was a break below a bullish trend line with support at $4,550 on the hourly chart of ETH/USD (data feed via Kraken). The pair could extend losses and dive if there is a close below $4,400 in the near term. Ethereum Price Dips Again Ethereum price started a recovery wave after it tested the $4,320 zone, like Bitcoin. ETH price was able to climb above the $4,400 and $4,450 resistance levels. The price surpassed the 23.6% Fib retracement level of the key decline from the $4,955 swing high to the $4,310 low. However, the bears remained active near the $4,630 resistance zone. There were two attempts, but the bulls failed to gain strength. The 50% Fib retracement level of the key decline from the $4,955 swing high to the $4,310 low is acting as a barrier. The price reacted to the downside below $4,600. Besides, there was a break below a bullish trend line with support at $4,550 on the hourly chart of ETH/USD. Ethereum price is now trading below $4,550 and the 100-hourly Simple Moving Average. On the upside, the price could face resistance near the $4,550 level. The next key resistance is near the $4,600 level. The first major resistance is near the $4,630 level. A clear move above the $4,630 resistance might send the price toward the $4,720 resistance. An upside break above the $4,720 resistance might call for more gains in the coming sessions. In the stated case, Ether could rise toward the $4,800 resistance zone or even $4,880 in the near term. More Losses In ETH? If Ethereum fails to clear the $4,550 resistance, it could continue to move down. Initial support on the downside is near the $4,440 level. The first major support sits near the $4,400 zone. A clear move below the $4,400 support might push the price toward the $4,320 support. Any more losses might send the price toward the $4,250 support level in the near term. The next key support sits at $4,150. Technical Indicators Hourly MACD – The MACD for ETH/USD is gaining momentum in the bearish zone. Hourly RSI – The RSI for ETH/USD is now below the 50 zone. Major Support Level – $4,400 Major Resistance Level – $4,550
Although Ethereum (ETH) failed to break the $5,000 mark on August 24 – pulling back from a new all-time high (ATH) of $4,956 – the second-largest cryptocurrency by market cap may soon cross that milestone, driven by booming new contract activity. Ethereum New Contract Activity Booming – Will Price Follow? According to a CryptoQuant Quicktake post by contributor PelinayPA, a sharp rebound in Ethereum contracts could be seen in 2024 and 2025. This year specifically, new contracts surged dramatically as ETH price climbed beyond $4,500. The CryptoQuant contributor highlighted that during the 2016-17 market cycle, new contract activity remained relatively muted. Despite the subdued activity, ETH price entered a strong uptrend. Related Reading: Ethereum Price Lags Despite All-Time High In Daily Transactions – What’s Next For ETH? On the contrary, following the 2018 bull run, ETH entered a price downtrend despite a rise in new contracts. ETH’s price reaction to a growth in new contracts showed that usage growth could not offset the bursting of the speculative bubble surrounding digital assets. Meanwhile, during the 2020-21 bull market, Ethereum contract creation spiked significantly, in-line with the decentralized finance (DeFi) and non-fungible tokens (NFT) boom. At the time, increased network activity served as a key catalyst in aiding ETH’s rally. Later – during the 2022 bear market – both contract number and ETH price dropped. The digital asset’s price and network activity was also adversely impacted due to dwindling developer interest and user demand during the market cycle. The aforementioned examples confirm that over the long-term, growth in contract creation shows rising confidence and adoption within Ethereum’s ecosystem. These factors play out positively for ETH’s price. That said, sudden surge in contract creation have not always directly resulted into price gains. This was evident from the price corrections observed during 2018 and 2021 cycles. What Does The Current Outlook Indicate? In her analysis, PelinayPA remarked that the latest surge in new Ethereum contracts signals renewed network activity, primarily driven by DeFi, NFT, and institutional adoption. If the trend sustains, it could fuel the next ETH bull run. Related Reading: Ethereum Average Daily Outflow Hits 40,000 ETH Amid Rising Buying Pressure – Details As far as long-term effects are concerned, the analyst said that consistent growth in new contracts highlights Ethereum’s rapidly expanding real-world use-cases. This gives immense support to ETH’s price. However, hype-driven contract spikes can lead to short-lived price corrections. Recent predictions point toward further room for growth for Ethereum. For instance, Fundstrat co-founder Tom Lee forecasted that ETH may climb to $5,500 “in the next couple of weeks.” In the same vein, Standard Chartered’s digital assets research chief, Geoffrey Kendrick, noted that ETH could rise to $7,500 by the end of the year. At press time, ETH trades at $4,582, down 0.2% in the past 24 hours. Featured image from Unsplash, charts from CryptoQuant and TradingView.com
Ethereum has once again overtaken Bitcoin in the competition for institutional attention, with Spot Ethereum ETFs recording larger inflows than their Bitcoin counterparts in the past few days. This trend might be building up another chapter in the growing debate over whether Ethereum is on track to start outperforming Bitcoin in terms of price action, which might lead to another altcoin season this cycle. Ethereum ETF Inflows Surpass Bitcoin Once Again Data from ETF trackers show that Ethereum funds have been posting stronger inflows than Bitcoin ETFs across several sessions in recent days. According to data from Farside Investors, US-based Spot Ethereum ETFs captured around $307.2 million in net inflows on August 27, bringing the total cummulative netflow to $13.64 billion. Related Reading: BlackRock’s Crypto Holdings Balloon As Bitcoin, Ethereum Reach For New ATHs — Here Are The Numbers The bulk of these inflows came from BlackRock’s iShares Ethereum Trust (ETHA), which attracted $262.6 million on the day, while Fidelity’s FETH added $20.5 million. By contrast, Spot Bitcoin ETFs based in the US managed to attract just $81.4 million in net inflows. The ETF inflows in the past 24 hours are not an isolated occurrence. Ethereum has now outpaced Bitcoin inflows across multiple consecutive trading days to give a glimpse into institutional sentiment toward the second-largest cryptocurrency. For example, August 26 was highlighted by a $455 million inflow into Spot Ethereum ETFs, compared to $88.1 million into Spot Bitcoin ETFs. The previous day (August 25) saw a similar pattern, with $443.9 million directed into Ethereum funds versus $219.1 million into Bitcoin. The surge in Ethereum inflows can be traced back to the middle of July, when Spot Ethereum ETFs first surpassed Bitcoin’s daily inflows. During that period, ETH funds brought in $603 million on July 17, compared with Bitcoin’s $522 million, to establish a precedent that appears to be repeating. Will Ethereum Outperform Bitcoin This Cycle? The recent trend of Ethereum ETFs outperforming their Spot Bitcoin ETFs is sure to resonate well with many Ethereum proponents, who are awaiting a full-blown altcoin season led by the leading altcoin. However, the important question is whether Ethereum’s recent momentum can translate into long-term outperformance of Bitcoin. Related Reading: Machine Learning Algorithm Predicts Ethereum Price Will Cross $9,000, Here’s When Alongside the divergence in ETF flows, the price action of Ethereum and Bitcoin has also highlighted their contrasting trajectories in recent days. Ethereum has been trading with stronger upside pressure and less downside pressure, which allowed it to reach a new all-time high of $4,946 on August 24. At the time of writing, Ethereum is trading at $4,616 after testing an intraday high near $4,658 and a session low of $4,473. Bitcoin, on the other hand, is steady but showing less upward momentum. At the time of writing, Bitcoin is trading at $113,100 after trading between roughly $110,465 and $113,332 on the day, which keeps its price movement tilted more towards the downside. Featured image from iStock, chart from Tradingview.com
On-chain data from Santiment shows both Bitcoin and Ethereum whale address counts grew in August, signaling steady accumulation. Bitcoin & Ethereum Whales Have Seen Their Counts Go Up Recently In a new post on X, on-chain analytics firm Santiment has revealed how the whale populations have shifted on the Ethereum and Bitcoin blockchains recently. Whales refer to the key stakeholders of a cryptocurrency who hold amounts large enough that they can carry some degree of influence in the market. The exact scale of these investors is defined differently across networks. For BTC, whales are considered to be entities carrying more than 1,000 BTC (equivalent to $112 million at the current exchange rate), while for ETH, the threshold is 10,000 ETH ($46.4 million). Related Reading: Bitcoin Selloff: $2.2 Billion In BTC Floods Exchanges Now, here is the chart shared by the analytics firm that shows how the total number of whale-sized wallets has changed on each of these networks over the past few months: As is visible in the above graph, the Bitcoin whales saw their count plummet back in July, implying a notable number of these investors exited from the market near the rally high. In August, the metric has made gradual recovery for the cryptocurrency, with there now being 13 more such wallets compared to the start of the month. While this isn’t anything too big, it does indicate that big-money investors are slowly buying back in. Ethereum has also seen its whale population go up during the same window and the increase has been more dramatic in its case. In total, 48 new whales have joined the blockchain since August began. Given the key position that these investors occupy in the market, the sentiment among them is often worth keeping an eye on. With a buying push occurring from them right now, it would seem that their outlook is bullish, particularly in the case of ETH. In some other news, Bitcoin has witnessed a sharp decline in capital inflows recently, as analyst Willy Woo has explained in an X post. Bitcoin is today seeing around less than $1 billion per day in capital inflows, which is significantly down compared to the earlier peak above $2 billion per day. Interestingly, in the same period as BTC has seen inflows dry up, ETH has observed them pick up instead. Related Reading: Bitcoin Keeps Slipping Down: Is $107,000 The Next Support? This could be an indication that investor interest has been rotating from the former to the latter. Following the uptrend, Ethereum inflows have risen to almost the same level as BTC ones, meaning that a flip could occur soon. BTC Price Bitcoin has seen some recovery from its recent low as its price has climbed back up to $112,500. Featured image from Dall-E, Santiment.net, woocharts.com, chart from TradingView.com
Ethereum price started a fresh decline from the $4,630 zone. ETH is now showing bearish signs and might decline further below $4,460. Ethereum is struggling to settle above the $4,630 zone. The price is trading below $4,580 and the 100-hourly Simple Moving Average. There was a break below a rising channel with support at $4,600 on the hourly chart of ETH/USD (data feed via Kraken). The pair could start another increase unless there is a close below $4,460 in the near term. Ethereum Price Faces Hurdles Ethereum price started a downside correction and tested the $4,310 zone, like Bitcoin. ETH price found support and recently started a fresh increase. There was a move above the $4,400 and $4,420 levels. The price cleared the 23.6% Fib retracement level of the key decline from the $4,956 swing high to the $4,310 low. However, the bears were active near the $4,630 resistance zone. The 50% Fib retracement level of the key decline from the $4,956 swing high to the $4,310 low is acting as a hurdle. Recently, there was a break below a rising channel with support at $4,600 on the hourly chart of ETH/USD. Ethereum price is now trading below $4,580 and the 100-hourly Simple Moving Average. On the upside, the price could face resistance near the $4,580 level. The next key resistance is near the $4,630 level. The first major resistance is near the $4,710 level. A clear move above the $4,710 resistance might send the price toward the $4,820 resistance. An upside break above the $4,820 resistance might call for more gains in the coming sessions. In the stated case, Ether could rise toward the $4,880 resistance zone or even $5,000 in the near term. More Losses In ETH? If Ethereum fails to clear the $4,630 resistance, it could continue to move down. Initial support on the downside is near the $4,460 level. The first major support sits near the $4,420 zone. A clear move below the $4,420 support might push the price toward the $4,310 support. Any more losses might send the price toward the $4,240 support level in the near term. The next key support sits at $4,150. Technical Indicators Hourly MACD – The MACD for ETH/USD is gaining momentum in the bearish zone. Hourly RSI – The RSI for ETH/USD is now below the 50 zone. Major Support Level – $4,460 Major Resistance Level – $4,630
Ethereum (ETH) staking levels continue to break records, with the latest snapshot of the blockchain showing nearly 36.1 million ETH staked on the network – the highest level in history. Ethereum Staking Hits New ATH, Will Price Follow? According to a CryptoQuant Quicktake post by contributor XWIN Research Japan, close to one-third of Ethereum’s circulating supply is now staked. This high proportion suggests that ETH may be on the verge of a structural supply shock. Related Reading: Ethereum Average Daily Outflow Hits 40,000 ETH Amid Rising Buying Pressure – Details The following chart shared by the analyst shows that even during sharp corrections in 2022 and 2023, staking levels continued to climb. Unlike speculative flows, which often exit the market during downturns, staking activity has proven “sticky” – with investors choosing to lock ETH into the network rather than liquidate. Staking ETH carries several key implications. First, it compresses supply – as more ETH is staked, less liquid supply remains on exchanges, creating a natural “supply shock” that amplifies demand-driven price moves. Similarly, it shows the priorities of investors. By staking ETH, investors essentially work as long-term participants. In this way, they align their incentives with network security and yield instead of short-term trading. ETH’s recent rally to $4,500 also coincided with record staking levels, creating a feedback loop – higher prices attracted institutional inflows from custodians, exchange-traded funds (ETG), and whales, while reduced liquid supply added further upward pressure. ETH’s Transition Into An Institutional Asset ETH ETFs now hold more than $300 billion in reserves, while asset managers such as BlackRock are actively accumulating. This underscores Ethereum’s transition from a speculative asset to a yield-bearing, institutionally supported infrastructure layer. Related Reading: Can Ethereum Really Hit $20,000 This Cycle? Analyst Maps The Path U.S.-based spot ETH ETFs also enjoyed a long streak of positive inflows, lasting from the week ending May 16 through the week ending August 15. Commenting on this shift, XWIN Research Japan noted: Ethereum’s all-time-high staking levels reveal its underlying strength: while Bitcoin faces selling dominance in taker metrics, ETH is experiencing structural supply reduction. This divergence highlights Ethereum’s growing role not just as a crypto asset, but as the backbone of tokenization, DeFi, and RWA adoption. Similar sentiments were recently echoed by Tom Lee, the co-founder of Fundstrat Global Advisors. Lee noted that ETH is getting closer to becoming the backbone of global markets. That said, some risks remain. For instance, ETH price is still lagging despite ATH in daily network transactions. At the time, the analyst said that ETH was likely still in the accumulation phase. Similarly, the recent price pullback in ETH after creating a new ATH over $4,900 shows how recurring liquidation cycles are shaping ETH’s price action every week. At press time, ETH trades at $4,606, up 2.5% in the past 24 hours. Featured image from Unsplash, charts from CryptoQuant and TradingView.com
Fundstrat co-founder Tom Lee laid out a forceful, policy-driven Ethereum bull thesis in an interview on August 26, arguing that a US regulatory pivot, Wall Street’s move to on-chain infrastructure, and institutional demand routed through public “crypto treasuries” set the stage for a sharp fourth-quarter repricing. “In the near term, you know, $5,500 should be happening in the next couple of weeks,” Lee said, adding that by year end ETH “should be closer to $10,000 to $12,000,” with the bulk of crypto’s yearly gains typically arriving in Q4. Ethereum’s ‘1971 Moment’ The brain behind BitMine’s ETH treasury strategy frames 2025 as a structural break comparable to the US dollar’s 1971 break from gold. In his view, Washington’s posture has shifted from seeing crypto as a threat to positioning it as an instrument of financial leadership. “In the last 12 months, there’s been a sea change, partly because of the election, where crypto is no longer considered an enemy… but really part of how the US financial system will get leadership,” Lee said. He pointed to stablecoins—“the breakout product, you know, the chat-GPT moment”—the proposed GENIUS Act and what he called the SEC’s “Project Crypto,” contending these signals show regulators want “Wall Street to use the blockchain to actually make America more innovative and actually spread America’s financial influence around the world.” Related Reading: Ethereum Is Positioned As The Backbone Of AI-Powered Finance, Here’s Why From there, Lee’s thesis centers on Ethereum as the default institutional settlement layer. “Wall Street doesn’t want the fastest chain… They want a reliable chain that they can build upon. Ethereum has had zero downtime in its entire history. So to me, it’s the natural selection.” Calling Ethereum a “fat protocol,” he argued that value accrues at the base layer as tokenization and payment rails migrate on-chain. Citing work “from Mosaics and from Fundstrat,” Lee said that, if the network captures major payment and banking flows, “you get to a network value of $60,000 value per ETH” over a 10- to 15-year horizon. BitMine’s Strategy A substantial part of the conversation focused on the public-equity vehicle he chairs, Bitmine, which he described as an actively managed Ethereum treasury. Lee contrasted holding spot ETH with owning a company that uses capital markets to expand ETH per share. “When Bitmine started… there was only $4 worth of Ethereum held per share,” he said of a July 8 baseline. “As of August 24, we now have $39.84 worth of Ethereum held per share… So the reason we had a 10x in your holdings is because Bitmine is actively managing to grow your Ethereum held per share by using capital markets and attracting the interest of institutional investors.” He argued that this approach can be “anti-dilutive” when executed at an equity premium to net asset value: “If your ETH per share is going up, none of the capital markets is dilution.” Lee added that Bitmine has “a billion-dollar stock repurchase program in place because if the stock becomes too cheap relative to its ETH holdings, it would make more sense to actually buy back stock.” Related Reading: Ethereum Longs at Risk? Analyst Warns of Recurring Weekly Liquidation Pattern On strategy, Lee outlined an ambition to control roughly 5% of staked ETH, claiming a “power law” effect as network importance scales. “If you’re a staking entity that owns 5 percent, then you have a positive influence on future upgrades… [and] one of the most important vectors for when Wall Street wants to build on Ethereum,” he said. With Ethereum’s proof-of-stake mechanics, he asserted that current holdings could generate substantial income: “With the $9 billion worth of ETH held today, that’s about almost $300 million of net income.” Tom Lee’s Macro View Institutional demand, Lee maintained, is finally rotating toward ETH via regulated wrappers and equities, even as many large allocators still underweight it. “Ethereum is still generally not liked by institutions because most have bet on Bitcoin… that’s why Ethereum is probably falling into… the most hated rally,” he said, noting that year-to-date ETH gains of 35 percent have outpaced Bitcoin’s 17 percent.” Lee’s macro overlay extends beyond crypto. He reiterated a constructive equity view contingent on Federal Reserve easing and a cyclical upturn. “If the Fed follows through and begins to cut… and then we get a drop in mortgage rates and the ISM turning up and therefore financials really begin to participate, I think that’s why we get to 6,800 or so on the S&P,” he said. While acknowledging that “September is the month everyone’s going to be worried about,” he characterized any pullback as buyable: “Since 2022… that has always been a dip buying opportunity.” At press time, ETH traded at $4,614. Featured image created with DALL.E, chart from TradingView.com
Ethereum’s rise is accelerating, and the question of whether it will one day surpass Bitcoin in price no longer feels far-fetched but now feels inevitable. While Bitcoin remains the benchmark for digital gold, Ethereum is positioning itself as the backbone of the new digital economy. Why ETH Dominance Could Eclipse Bitcoin In This Cycle Bitcoin has long been referred to as digital gold, but Ethereum could overtake BTC in market capitalization and in price in the near future. An analyst known as Stitch on X has revealed that the key difference lies in Ethereum’s monetary policy. Related Reading: All-Time High For Crypto Market: Ethereum Leads The Charge Above $4,000 One of the reasons ETH could challenge BTC is the disparity in supply. Bitcoin has a fixed supply cap of 21 million coins, while Ethereum currently has around 120 million in circulation, and no fixed cap. However, the sole difference and advantage of Ethereum is the burn model, which is EIP-1559. ETH’s EIP-1559 burn mechanism was introduced with the London upgrade in 2021. This system permanently removes a portion of every transaction fee from circulation, effectively making ETH deflationary. The more activity on the Ethereum network, the more ETH is burned, creating a scenario where more ETH is destroyed than minted. Since the upgrade, 4.6 million ETH, worth about $13 billion, has already been burned. After the implementation of EIP-1559, the new ETH issuance dropped by 88%. For Ethereum to surpass Bitcoin in both price and market cap, several conditions need to align. The first factor highlighted by the expert is the massive institutional inflows, which can outpace supply because of the burn mechanism, thereby pushing prices and strong demand. Furthermore, high network activity is an increase in transactions that leads to more ETH being burned and a tightening in supply. The reduced circulating supply through ETH staking as a validator decreases the liquid supply on the market, creating upward price pressure. From May 2025 to now, Ethereum has been fully deflationary every single day, meaning more ETH is destroyed than issued. The Divergence Between Bitcoin and Ethereum History suggests Ethereum has a pattern of outperformance immediately following Bitcoin market tops. Mercury has pointed out that after Bitcoin peaked in 2017, it later fell nearly -47%, as Ethereum surged 100% higher over the next 30 days. Related Reading: ETF Mania: Bitcoin And Ethereum Funds Hit Record $40 Billion Week In 2021, Bitcoin also topped and dropped -27%, and Ethereum rallied 83% higher within just 30 days. Meanwhile, in 2025, Bitcoin is showing signs of structural weakness, losing Higher-Timeframe (HTF) trends and forming Lower Lows and Lower Highs. However, Ethereum remains strong, sustaining its HTF uptrend and consistently forming Higher Lows and Higher Highs on the daily chart. This divergence is crucial because it shows Ethereum is building strength even as Bitcoin struggles. The ETH/BTC pair reinforces this narrative. Just 17 days ago, Ethereum reclaimed a 944-day downtrend that had represented -75% of underperformance relative to Bitcoin. Reclaiming this trend is a strong indicator that ETH is regaining dominance in the crypto market. Featured image from iStock, chart from Tradingview.com
Ethereum (ETH) recently broke through to a new all-time high above $4,900 before undergoing a correction. As of now, the asset trades at $4,520, reflecting an 8.9% pullback from its peak but still up 7.6% over the past week. The move follows weeks of strong upward momentum that returned ETH to price levels unseen since the 2021 bull cycle. While Ethereum’s long-term trend remains upward, analysts are examining short-term patterns to explain the market’s current volatility. One such perspective comes from XWIN Research Japan, a contributor to CryptoQuant’s QuickTake platform, highlighting how recurring liquidation cycles are shaping ETH’s price action, particularly around the beginning of each week. Related Reading: Ethereum Whale Demand Surges On Binance As Price Nears $5,000 Ethereum’s “Monday Trap” and the Risks of Excessive Leverage According to the analysis, Ethereum’s leveraged markets show a recurring rhythm tied to liquidation events. Leveraged long positions, bets that the price will continue rising, have often been caught in sudden reversals, forcing liquidations that amplify downward moves. During April and June 2025, ETH saw long liquidations spike beyond 300,000 ETH in a single day as sharp downturns triggered cascading sell-offs. XWIN Research Japan noted a striking weekly pattern: Mondays consistently show the highest liquidation volumes, followed by Sundays and Fridays. In contrast, Saturdays record the lowest, likely due to reduced market activity. This cycle, often referred to as the “Monday Trap,” suggests that traders carrying leveraged positions from the weekend are particularly vulnerable once institutional and retail flows re-enter early in the week. “Carrying weekend optimism into Monday’s higher-volume sessions is risky,” the analyst observed, emphasizing that short-term leverage magnifies losses in predictable ways. For long-term investors, this cycle is less about price direction and more about understanding the risks of excessive leverage in a highly liquid market. Technical Levels and Broader Market Outlook From a technical standpoint, Ethereum’s price correction is being closely monitored. A market analyst known as Crypto Patel recently posted on X that ETH has retraced from $4,957 to $4,400, noting $3,900–$4,000 as a strong support zone. According to Patel, holding this level could open a path toward higher price ranges of $6,000–$8,000. However, if support breaks, downside levels of $3,500 or even $3,200 remain possible. ???? $ETH Price Analysis ???? ???? #Ethereum hit ATH of $4957 2 days ago, now retracing to $4400. ???? Strong support at $3900-$4000. Holding this zone opens upside to $6000-$8000. ???? Breakdown of $3900 could lead to $3500 and $3200 levels. pic.twitter.com/WJTdHEImqH — Crypto Patel (@CryptoPatel) August 26, 2025 The interaction between leveraged liquidations and key technical support levels may define Ethereum’s trajectory in the coming months. Historical data show that large outflows from exchanges often precede sustained rallies, while inflows typically signal selling pressure. Related Reading: Ethereum Reaches New ATH, But RSI Divergence Clouds Path To $5,000 Recent exchange netflow data for ETH has leaned toward outflows, suggesting that investors are withdrawing coins into self-custody, a behavior often associated with long-term confidence rather than immediate selling. At the same time, institutional demand for Ethereum continues to strengthen, bolstered by ongoing discussions about staking integration within regulated financial products such as ETFs. Featured image created with DALL-E, Chart from TradingView
Ethereum price started a fresh decline below the $4,550 zone. ETH is now correcting losses and might aim for a move above the $4,650 zone. Ethereum started a fresh upward move from the $4,320 zone. The price is trading near $4,580 and the 100-hourly Simple Moving Average. There was a break above a key bearish trend line with resistance at $4,450 on the hourly chart of ETH/USD (data feed via Kraken). The pair could start another increase unless there is a close below $4,460 in the near term. Ethereum Price Corrects Losses Ethereum price traded to a new all-time high above the $4,950 level before there was a downside correction, unlike Bitcoin. ETH price started a downside correction below the $4,650 and $4,550 levels. The price tested the $4,320 zone. A low was formed at $4,310 and the price started a fresh upward move. There was a break above $4,400 and $4,450. The price surpassed the 23.6% Fib retracement level of the recent decline from the $4,956 swing high to the $4,310 low. Besides, there was a break above a key bearish trend line with resistance at $4,450 on the hourly chart of ETH/USD. Ethereum price is now trading near $4,580 and the 100-hourly Simple Moving Average. On the upside, the price could face resistance near the $4,630 level and the 50% Fib retracement level of the recent decline from the $4,956 swing high to the $4,310 low. The next key resistance is near the $4,650 level. The first major resistance is near the $4,720 level. A clear move above the $4,720 resistance might send the price toward the $4,840 resistance. An upside break above the $4,840 resistance might call for more gains in the coming sessions. In the stated case, Ether could rise toward the $4,950 resistance zone or even $5,000 in the near term. Another Drop In ETH? If Ethereum fails to clear the $4,630 resistance, it could continue to move down. Initial support on the downside is near the $4,500 level. The first major support sits near the $4,450 zone. A clear move below the $4,450 support might push the price toward the $4,320 support. Any more losses might send the price toward the $4,220 support level in the near term. The next key support sits at $4,150. Technical Indicators Hourly MACD – The MACD for ETH/USD is losing momentum in the bearish zone. Hourly RSI – The RSI for ETH/USD is now above the 50 zone. Major Support Level – $4,450 Major Resistance Level – $4,630
Ethereum’s outperformance over Bitcoin is being reinforced by institutional flows, new altcoin narratives, and rising market odds of a $5K test, with macro data now set to challenge that conviction.
Artificial intelligence may be the hottest narrative in tech, but its true financial backbone could be Ethereum. With its dominance in stablecoins, DeFi, and tokenization, Ethereum is riding the AI wave, and it’s positioned to become the infrastructure that powers trillions in AI-driven financial flows. Why Ethereum Fits The Role Of AI Settlement Layer Artificial intelligence is on track to become one of the most valuable industries in human history. It’s a trillion-dollar opportunity, and Ethereum is uniquely positioned to capture it. As highlighted by Eigen Layer’s dev Nader Dabit on X, AI is already integrated into almost every corner of existing software infrastructure, and its pace of adoption would continue to accelerate. Related Reading: Ethereum Store-of-Value Evolution: From Utility Token To Digital Reserve Asset The introduction of ERC-8004 is a turning point, which lays the foundation for injecting the vast design space of AI directly into Ethereum. Dabit noted that the injection is a positive-sum outcome because it expands ETH utility, potential, and value, while also unlocking new pathways for AI itself. Amid this foray, the developer is confident that an AI service marketplace could be introduced in the near future, possibly on Ethereum. The marketplace would function as a decentralized agent app store where anyone can discover and hire specialized agents for specific tasks. These include legal document analysis, highly-rated legal AI agents, code reviews, programming agents, and research assistance. Furthermore, there will be no central entity needed, no hidden algorithms, and it will be just open, trustless, and verifiable AI. Such development implies that every past interaction would be publicly verifiable, with historical performance, accuracy, and reputation data available on-chain. According to the dev, the idea of verifiable AI in general could end up being one of the most successful use cases in all of crypto. Ethereum’s role as the backbone of trustless computation and coordination makes it the natural home for this revolution. Why This Matters For ETH’s Next Move With key development set to emerge on the Ethereum blockchain, ETH’s price might experience a notable rally in the following months. Crypto analyst Mags has highlighted a bullish outlook for ETH, predicting that the altcoin is set to hit the $15,650 target. Related Reading: Ethereum Reaches New ATH, But RSI Divergence Clouds Path To $5,000 During the last cycle, once ETH broke above its previous all-time high (ATH), it surged by +211% and ultimately reached the 3.618 Fibonacci extension level. Meanwhile, in this cycle, ETH has once again surpassed its ATH for the first time in the cycle, bringing the 3.618 Fib extension at $15,650 into focus. Even a more conservative projection suggests strong upside. If ETH captures only half the growth seen in the previous cycle, the price range could land between $10,146 and $11,600, which corresponds to the 2.272 to 2.618 Fib extension levels. A very conservative target for Ethereum would be based on the 1.618 Fib extension, which sits around $7,500 level. Featured image from iStock, chart from Tradingview.com
Ethereum is at a decisive moment after a turbulent week of trading. Following a powerful surge on Friday that pushed the price into new highs, ETH quickly faced selling pressure, leading to a sharp drop by Monday. Now, the asset is trying to stabilize above the $4,400 level, a critical zone that bulls must defend to prevent further downside momentum. Related Reading: Bitcoin CEX Netflows Still Green Despite Large Sellers Rotating To Ethereum The recent volatility highlights how fragile sentiment can become at major turning points. While bulls remain optimistic that ETH can sustain momentum and push toward the long-awaited $5,000 mark, bears argue that the market structure suggests more downside could follow if support fails. Adding to this uncertainty, analyst Darkfost has issued a warning about rising risks in the derivatives market. According to his analysis, the Binance Estimated Leverage Ratio (ELR) on ETH has reached its highest levels ever recorded, signaling extreme risk conditions. The ELR measures how heavily leveraged positions have become relative to overall open interest. When leverage skyrockets, markets often experience heightened volatility. Traders taking on excessive risk can trigger forced liquidations, amplifying price swings in both directions. With ETH now sitting at a fragile support level, the combination of leverage buildup and recent price swings makes the coming days critical for Ethereum’s short-term trajectory. Ethereum Leverage Risks Grow on Binance According to Darkfost, the Estimated Leverage Ratio (ELR) is one of the most reliable indicators to measure whether a market is becoming dangerously over-leveraged. The ELR combines Open Interest data with overall market activity to highlight the extent to which traders are relying on borrowed funds to amplify their positions. Recent data shows that Open Interest on Binance just hit a new all-time high of $12.6 billion on August 22, reflecting record speculative activity. For context, back in July 2020, the ELR on Binance was just 0.09, a relatively safe level. Today, that figure has skyrocketed to 0.53, marking the highest reading ever recorded. Such a sharp increase suggests that traders are entering positions with unprecedented leverage. Darkfost explains that when leverage climbs to these extremes, the short-term market outlook becomes risky. Excessive optimism often leaves participants vulnerable to forced liquidations. Once liquidations cascade, they can magnify price swings far beyond what would happen in a spot-driven move. Despite heavy institutional and whale accumulation in Ethereum, Binance remains the largest hub for trading activity. With derivatives volumes outweighing spot activity, leveraged positioning now has the power to dictate short-term price moves. Given that this spike in leverage comes just as Ethereum has broken above its all-time high, the risk of a deleveraging event is high. Such an event could temporarily drive ETH lower, wiping out leveraged positions before the market regains balance. Yet, many analysts believe this would act as a reset, ultimately paving the way for Ethereum to retest and potentially surpass the $5,000 level, which remains the key target for bulls. Related Reading: Ethereum Whale Demand Surges On Binance As Price Nears $5,000 Holding Key Support Amid Selling Pressure Ethereum is currently showing signs of fragility after its strong rally last week. On this 4-hour chart, ETH trades around $4,426, holding near a crucial support zone defined by the 50-day moving average (blue line) at roughly $4,451. Price action shows a sharp rejection from highs above $4,800, followed by a steep retracement that now challenges short-term momentum. The $4,400 region has emerged as an immediate support level, where ETH is attempting to stabilize. A sustained hold above this area could allow bulls to regroup and attempt another push toward the $4,800–$5,000 resistance zone, which remains the next psychological target. Conversely, if the $4,400 level fails, ETH could slide toward the 100-day moving average (green line) around $4,350, with further downside risk toward the 200-day average (red line) near $4,090. Related Reading: Ethereum Faces High-Risk Setup: Leverage-Driven Rallies Signal Volatility The structure still favors bulls in the broader trend, but the recent correction highlights the market’s sensitivity to leverage and short-term volatility. For traders, the $4,400 level is key: holding above it keeps the bullish continuation alive, while a breakdown may trigger deeper profit-taking. Overall, ETH remains in an uptrend, but volatility at these levels demands caution. Featured image from Dall-E, chart from TradingView
A massive opportunity is unfolding in the crypto space as the Midnight airdrop enters full swing, with billions of dollars worth of tokens available to eligible XRP and crypto investors. With just over a month left, industry voices warn that countless users could stand to miss out on one of the largest token distributions in history. Less Than 40 Days Left To Claim The Midnight Airdrop The ongoing Midnight airdrop is quickly becoming one of the most talked-about topics in the crypto space, with billions of dollars potentially left unclaimed. According to Big Pey, a Cardano content creator, holders of XRP, Solana (SOL), ADA, Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Avalanche (AVAX), and Brave tokens could be overlooking a one-of-a-kind opportunity. Related Reading: Analyst Warns XRP Investors Not To Let Fear Dictate Moves As Long As Price Holds This Level The airdrop went live on August 5 2025 and has less than 40 days remaining before the claim window closes. Big Pey praised the tokenomics of Midnight’s $NIGHT token, describing it as “genius”. In his words, the most innovative feature is that $NIGHT generates “DUST,” rewarding users for engaging with the blockchain instead of forcing them to spend their existing holdings for transactions. This model creates a cycle where network activity becomes financially rewarding, contrasting how many blockchains currently function. Community members responding to Big Pey’s post raised concerns about the airdrop’s accessibility. One user inquired about the fate of unclaimed tokens, to which Big Pey explained that they would be redistributed later through a scavenger hunt phase. Another member highlighted the challenge of claiming tokens through hardware wallets such as Trezor. Addressing this, the Cardano content creator assured users that Trezor has confirmed plans to roll out support within the 60-day airdrop claim period, enabling hardware wallet holders to participate without risking security. About The Midnight Airdrop The Midnight airdrop is not just notable for its size but also for what it represents. Midnight is a partner chain built on Cardano, leveraging zero-knowledge proofs to ensure privacy and data protection for Decentralized Applications (dApps). Related Reading: Analyst Says It Doesn’t Matter What Analysis You Use, XRP Price Is Set To Explode The $NIGHT tokens are designed to serve as the governance and ownership layer of the Midnight ecosystem. On the other hand, the network introduces $DUST, a privacy utility that further incentivizes usage and deepens the project’s focus on secure, private transactions. Unlike many token launches relying on presales, Midnight will distribute 100% of its supply to eligible users across eight major blockchains. The airdrop is set to run for 60 days, with half of the distribution allocated to ADA holders and the other half spread across seven cryptocurrencies. Over 33 million wallets are eligible to receive tokens. Holders who do not initially claim will still have four years to secure their allocation, but the initial phase remains crucial for early participation. Investors outside the eight chains are not excluded either, as they can join a scavenger hunt to earn a share of unclaimed tokens later. Featured image from iStock, chart from Tradingview.com