Bitcoin, Ethereum and XRP are trading lower today as crypto markets react to strong U.S. economic data and selling pressure from crypto investment funds. For now, BTC is holding near the $87,000 level, ETH is trading below $3,000, and XRP is hovering around $1.88. Dogecoin, Solana and Cardano are also trading lower. U.S. government data …
ETHzilla has made a clear change in direction by selling a significant portion of its Ethereum holdings to strengthen its balance sheet. The company recently disclosed that it sold about $74.5 million worth of ETH in December, using the proceeds mainly to repay outstanding debt. This marks a step away from the digital asset treasury …
BitMine officially holds 4,066,062 ETH, which puts the treasury value at around $12 billion at current prices.
While most leading crypto-based Exchange-Traded funds (ETFs) recorded significant outflows last week, XRP investment products went against the current and attracted over $80 million in inflows, ending the week with a green performance. Related Reading: Analyst Shares ‘Cold, Hard Truth’ For Bitcoin Investors As Price Struggles XRP ETFs Steal The Spotlight XRP ETFs continue to show strong demand, recording a 25-day streak last Friday and closing the week with a positive net flow. Notably, crypto investment products registered a negative performance last week, seeing nearly a billion dollars in outflows. According to CoinShares’ weekly report, digital asset-based funds ended the week in the red for the first time in four weeks, with outflows totaling $952 million. This marks the products’ fourth-worst weekly performance of the year. CoinShares’ Head of Research, James Butterfill, suggested that the negative market reaction was fueled by the delays in the US crypto market structure bill, which was initially anticipated to be passed before the end of the year. This “has prolonged regulatory uncertainty for the asset class, alongside concerns over continued selling by whale investors,” the report noted. The negative market sentiment was mostly focused in the US, which recorded $990 million in outflows last week. Ethereum (ETH) funds suffered the largest outflows, registering $555 million in negative net flows. Meanwhile, Bitcoin (BTC) investment products came in second with $460m in outflows. On the contrary, XRP ETFs saw overall support with positive net flows throughout the whole week. According to SoSoValue data, the category closes the week with $82.04 million in inflows, marking a 6-week positive streak. XRP’s Correction Already Over? Amid this performance, XRP’s price also ended the week recovering from the latest market correction, which sent its price to a two-month low of $1.77. Market observer BitGuru affirmed that XRP has completed its downtrend and liquidity grab, and is currently stabilizing at a key historical demand zone. Per the analyst, “selling pressure is fading, structure is flattening, and this is where smart money usually starts positioning, not where panic happens.” Similarly, trader Niels suggested that XRP’s corrective phase may be over as it appears to be forming a double bottom pattern. “RSI has bottomed out already, and now the price is showing good signs too,” the trader affirmed, adding that “XRP had a fakeout below the support level before reclaiming the zone.” To Niels, if the market shows momentum, the cryptocurrency could surge 20%-25% toward the $2.30-$2.50 area in the next few weeks. Recently, the trader affirmed that once XRP breaks above the $2.20 resistance, where the pattern’s neckline is situated, it could rally to the $2.80-$3.00 area within a month. Related Reading: Fundstrat Predicts Ethereum Drop To $1,800 In H1 2026 Meanwhile, analyst ChartNerd highlighted a bullish divergence on XRP’s chart. “Price action is adhering to the lower low price action trendline whilst forming higher lows on the RSI,” he explained, suggesting that price could move to higher levels. He also noted that if the altcoin fails to break the 20 EMA, currently around the $1.98 level, the price would “simply resort back to the lower low trendline for support, where we likely see more relief.” As of this writing, XRP is trading at $1.93, a 1.1% increase in the weekly timeframe. Featured Image from Unsplash.com, Chart from TradingView.com
Bitmine is doubling down on its Ethereum-first treasury strategy, with its latest purchases pushing total holdings beyond 4 million ETH. The move cements the company’s position as one of the most aggressive corporate accumulators of Ethereum and signals strong long-term conviction in ETH as a core balance-sheet asset rather than a short-term trade. The milestone …
Ethereum price started a recovery wave above $2,980. ETH is now consolidating and faces a key barrier near the $3,080 level. Ethereum started a decent upward move above the $3,000 zone. The price is trading above $2,980 and the 100-hourly Simple Moving Average. There is a rising channel forming with support at $2,975 on the hourly chart of ETH/USD (data feed via Kraken). The pair could continue to move up if it settles above the $3,080 zone. Ethereum Price Faces Important Resistance Ethereum price started a decent increase above $2,880, like Bitcoin. ETH price was able to surpass the $2,920 and $2,950 resistance levels to enter a positive zone. The bulls pushed the price above the 61.8% Fib retracement level of the downward move from the $3,175 swing high to the $2,775 low. The price even spiked above the $3,050 resistance zone. However, the bears remained active near $3,080. Ethereum price is now trading above $2,980 and the 100-hourly Simple Moving Average. There is also a rising channel forming with support at $2,975 on the hourly chart of ETH/USD. If there is another upward move, the price could face resistance near the $3,050 level. The first key resistance is near the $3,080 level and the 76.4% Fib retracement level of the downward move from the $3,175 swing high to the $2,775 low. The next major resistance is near the $3,150 level. A clear move above the $3,150 resistance might send the price toward the $3,220 resistance. An upside break above the $3,220 region might call for more gains in the coming days. In the stated case, Ether could rise toward the $3,250 resistance zone or even $3,265 in the near term. Another Decline In ETH? If Ethereum fails to clear the $3,080 resistance, it could start a fresh decline. Initial support on the downside is near the $2,980 level and the trend line. The first major support sits near the $2,915 zone. A clear move below the $2,915 support might push the price toward the $2,840 support. Any more losses might send the price toward the $2,800 region. The next key support sits at $2,775. Technical Indicators Hourly MACD – The MACD for ETH/USD is losing momentum in the bullish zone. Hourly RSI – The RSI for ETH/USD is now below the 50 zone. Major Support Level – $2,915 Major Resistance Level – $3,080
Ethereum is attempting to reclaim the $3,000 level after showing pockets of bullish strength over the weekend. Buyers briefly managed to push the price higher, but momentum has struggled to build, and ETH remains vulnerable below a key psychological threshold. As volatility compresses, market conviction appears fragile. Many analysts are increasingly calling for lower prices, arguing that recent rebounds lack the follow-through required to shift the broader structure back into a sustained uptrend. Related Reading: Bitcoin Price Lags Network Utility: A Valuation Reset Is Underway On-chain data helps explain this hesitation. According to a recent CryptoQuant report, Ethereum’s Net Unrealized Profit/Loss (NUPL) indicator remains in positive territory, with the latest reading hovering around 0.22. This suggests that the average ETH holder is still sitting on unrealized gains, but those profits are relatively modest. Historically, this zone is associated with a “belief” or cautious optimism phase, rather than euphoria. In other words, the market is neither in panic nor in an overheated state. This positioning places Ethereum at an inflection point. Investors are no longer capitulating, but they are also not aggressively chasing upside. With profits still on the table and sentiment mixed, ETH’s next move will likely depend on whether buyers can regain confidence and absorb lingering sell pressure. Until then, the market remains caught between hope and hesitation. Exchange Outflows Signal Strategic Repositioning According to the Arab Chain report, combining Ethereum’s NUPL data with exchange netflow metrics on Binance provides a clearer picture of current market dynamics. Recent data shows that Ethereum exchange netflows have consistently leaned toward net outflows, with frequent negative readings indicating that more ETH is being withdrawn from Binance than deposited. This behavior is typically associated with reduced immediate selling pressure, particularly when it occurs alongside a stable, positive NUPL reading. What makes this setup notable is the absence of a sharp increase in NUPL despite these outflows. In past cycles, strong withdrawals during periods of rising unrealized profits often coincided with aggressive profit-taking and euphoric sentiment. That pattern is not present today. Instead, the data suggests that holders are choosing to retain exposure rather than exit positions. ETH appears to be moving off exchanges for purposes such as long-term storage, staking, or participation within the broader Ethereum ecosystem, rather than for imminent liquidation. This divergence between sustained exchange outflows and restrained NUPL levels points to a structurally healthier market environment. Profits exist, but they are not excessive, and selling pressure on Binance remains limited. As a result, the probability of abrupt, sell-driven corrections is reduced. The medium-term outlook becomes more dependent on structural and fundamental developments, rather than short-term speculative behavior or emotional market swings. Related Reading: Ethereum Traders Chase Upside With Historic Leverage – Breakout Fuel Or Fragile Setup? Ethereum Consolidates Near a Critical Inflection Zone Ethereum’s weekly chart shows price attempting to stabilize around the $3,000–$3,100 region after a volatile multi-month decline from the 2025 highs near $4,800. This area has emerged as a key technical pivot, aligning closely with the rising 200-week moving average, which historically acts as a long-term trend gauge. ETH is currently trading just above this level, suggesting that bulls are defending structural support, but without strong momentum confirmation. The 50-week and 100-week moving averages are beginning to flatten and converge near current price, reflecting a broader transition from a strong uptrend into a consolidation phase. This compression often precedes a larger directional move. Notably, Ethereum has reclaimed the 100-week average but remains capped below the 50-week average, highlighting the ongoing struggle to re-establish a sustained bullish structure. Related Reading: Bitcoin Faces Elevated Downside Risk: Loss Selling Takes Hold As STH SOPR Falls Below 1 Volume has moderated compared to the distribution phase seen during the sell-off, indicating reduced forced selling rather than aggressive accumulation. This supports the view that the market is digesting prior gains rather than entering a new impulsive trend. From a structural perspective, holding above the $2,900–$3,000 zone keeps the long-term uptrend intact. However, failure to reclaim the $3,300–$3,500 resistance range would leave ETH vulnerable to extended consolidation. For now, price action suggests balance, not resolution. Featured image from ChatGPT, chart from TradingView.com
ETHZilla sold 24,291 ETH for about $74.5M to fund redemption of senior secured notes, leaving roughly 69,800 ETH on the balance sheet.
The post ETHZilla reduces ETH stash to 69,800 after $74M sale tied to debt payoff appeared first on Crypto Briefing.
A screenshot attributed to Fundstrat Research is stirring debate over whether Tom Lee’s firm is projecting a sharp first-half 2026 correction in crypto markets—despite Lee’s recent public bullishness on Ethereum. Wu Blockchain shared the image via X, describing it as an internal client note titled “2026 Crypto Outlook: Near-Term Headwinds, Second-Half Upside,” timestamped Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025 at 7:34 p.m. ET. Fundstrat’s Bearish Call Vs. Tom Lee’s Bull Case The document is credited to Sean Farrell, Fundstrat’s head of digital asset strategy, and includes a base-case scenario calling for a “meaningful drawdown in 1H 2026,” with target ranges of bitcoin at $60,000–$65,000, ether at $1,800–$2,000, and solana at $50–$75. The note adds that those levels would represent “attractive opportunities into year-end,” and that if the view is wrong, the preference is still to “play defense” until strength is confirmed. The ETH range is what set the market chatter off. Ether is trading around the $3,000 area, making $1,800 a material downside scenario if taken at face value. Related Reading: Ethereum ETFs Record Over $600M In Outflows — Warning Signal For Traders? The controversy, such as it is, comes from the proximity to Lee’s own messaging. At Binance Blockchain Week, Lee said ethereum at roughly $3,000 looked “severely undervalued,” a stance that reads very differently than a research framework explicitly mapping a potential move to the high-$1,000s. Over the past few weeks, Lee even publicly shared his predictions that ETH could reach $20,000 next year and $62,000 over the next several years. Farrell responded directly on X on Dec. 20, arguing the framing of “internal conflict” misunderstands how Fundstrat operates. The firm, he said, houses several analysts with independent processes, each designed for different client objectives and time horizons. Lee’s work, Farrell wrote, is aimed at large institutions that might allocate 1%–5% to BTC and ETH and is structured around longer-term macro and “secular” trends. Farrell’s research, by contrast, is positioned for investors with heavier crypto exposure—he referenced portfolios with ~20%+ allocations—where active risk management and rebalancing matter more than maintaining a single long-duration thesis through volatility. Related Reading: Ethereum Exchange Outflows Soar To $978M: Sign Of Dip Buying? That distinction is central to interpreting the leaked-style targets. Farrell’s public explanation wasn’t “we are bearish,” but rather “we are cautious in the near term.” He said markets appear priced for “near-perfection” while risks remain elevated—citing government shutdown dynamics, trade volatility, uncertainty around AI capex, and a Federal Reserve chair transition, alongside tight high-yield spreads and low cross-asset volatility. He also highlighted mixed flow conditions. In Farrell’s telling, long-term ETF demand could improve as wirehouses onboard, but near-term pressures persist from “OG selling,” miners, fund redemptions, and even the possibility of an MSCI MicroStrategy delisting—an item that stood out because it suggests the risk lens extends beyond spot crypto into the crypto-equity complex that has become a key liquidity and sentiment barometer. Farrell’s stated base case: “an early-year bounce followed by another 1H drawdown, creating a more attractive opportunity into year-end.If I’m wrong, I’d rather wait for confirmation (trend breaks, flows, momentum, or a clear catalyst). Crypto is reflexive, and for my objective, patience matters in no-man’s land.” The thread ends on a point many readers missed in the initial screenshot-driven outrage cycle: Farrell still expects BTC and ETH to “challenge new ATHs by year-end,” describing a shorter, shallower bear that could compress the traditional four-year cycle narrative. “For those who tuned into the outlook: I still expect BTC and ETH to challenge new ATHs by year-end, effectively ending the traditional four-year cycle with a shorter, shallower bear,” he wrote via X. At press time, Ethereum traded at $3,043. Featured image created with DALL.E, chart from TradingView.com
Ethereum price started a recovery wave above $2,950. ETH is now consolidating and might soon attempt another recovery wave if it clears $3,050. Ethereum started a decent upward move above the $2,950 zone. The price is trading above $2,950 and the 100-hourly Simple Moving Average. There was a break above a bearish trend line with resistance at $2,920 on the hourly chart of ETH/USD (data feed via Kraken). The pair could continue to move up if it settles above the $3,050 zone. Ethereum Price Eyes More Gains Ethereum price started a decent increase from $2,775, like Bitcoin. ETH price was able to surpass the $2,850 and $2,880 resistance levels to enter a positive zone. The bulls pushed the price above the 50% Fib retracement level of the downward move from the $3,175 swing high to the $2,775 low. Moreover, there was a break above a bearish trend line with resistance at $2,920 on the hourly chart of ETH/USD. Ethereum price is now trading above $2,950 and the 100-hourly Simple Moving Average. If there is another upward move, the price could face resistance near the $3,020 level and the 61.8% Fib retracement level of the downward move from the $3,175 swing high to the $2,775 low. The next key resistance is near the $3,050 level. The first major resistance is near the $3,080 level. A clear move above the $3,080 resistance might send the price toward the $3,150 resistance. An upside break above the $3,150 region might call for more gains in the coming days. In the stated case, Ether could rise toward the $3,220 resistance zone or even $3,250 in the near term. Another Decline In ETH? If Ethereum fails to clear the $3,050 resistance, it could start a fresh decline. Initial support on the downside is near the $2,950 level. The first major support sits near the $2,915 zone. A clear move below the $2,915 support might push the price toward the $2,880 support. Any more losses might send the price toward the $2,840 region. The next key support sits at $2,800. Technical Indicators Hourly MACD – The MACD for ETH/USD is losing momentum in the bullish zone. Hourly RSI – The RSI for ETH/USD is now above the 50 zone. Major Support Level – $2,915 Major Resistance Level – $3,050
The price of Ethereum endured significant selling pressure over the past week, reflecting the current climate of the crypto market. The latest data shows that the spot US-based Ethereum ETFs (exchange-traded funds) did not have it any better, as significant capital flowed out of the market in the past week. Ethereum ETFs Weekly Outflow Exceeds $600 Million In a Quicktake post on the CryptoQuant platform, market pundit CryptoOnchain revealed an overwhelming exodus of institutional capital from the Ethereum market. More specifically, the analyst highlighted that over $600 million in capital flowed out of the US-based spot Ethereum ETFs over the past week. The relevant indicator here is the ETH ETF Net Flow metric, which monitors the net movement of capital (in millions of USD) into or out of the Ethereum exchange-traded fund market. Related Reading: Why XRP Price Is Playing Catch-Up Despite Successful ETF Launch: Analyst BlackRock’s iShares Ethereum Trust (with the ticker ETHA) is the primary contributor to the massive outflows witnessed by the Ethereum ETFs in the past week. CryptoQuant’s data shows that about $470 million in value was withdrawn from ETHA in the last trading week. Fidelity’s Ethereum Fund (ticker: FETH) also registered a notable amount in net outflows, as around $35 million was withdrawn by investors. Grayscale’s Ethereum ETF (ETHE) also posted significant net outflows of approximately $49 million in the past week. What The Outflow Means For Ethereum Price In normal conditions, the Ethereum ETFs tend to provide substantial price stability and institutional support for the ETH price. However, these products could also be a source of immense volatility for the market, depending on their investor behavior. Typically, waves of ETF outflows indicate a reduction in institutional risk appetite for Ethereum. CryptoOnchain explained that when the week begins with reduced exposure from institutional participants, their not-so-optimistic sentiment becomes apparent in the market, as price nosedives, too. The lack of institutional demand could, in turn, make it difficult for Ethereum to defend its immediate support levels. Moreover, this could mean that institutional interest sits at price levels further south of the Ethereum price. This creates a vacuum of demand beneath the current price levels, which short-term traders in general may have trouble filling. Until ETF flows begin ascending towards positive values, the Ethereum market could be in for more bearish pressure. It, then, becomes very likely that the ‘king of altcoins’ would revisit lower support levels. Hence, it is important that investors involve themselves in the market with utmost caution. As of press time, Ethereum is valued at approximately $2,975, with no significant price movement in the past day. Related Reading: Major Ethereum Metric Just Hit A New All-Time High – Can Price Reclaim $3,000? Featured image from Shutterstock, chart from TradingView
Ethereum's security focus may enhance blockchain reliability, fostering trust and potentially increasing adoption across decentralized applications.
The post Ethereum Foundation prioritizes security, targets 128-bit rule by 2026 appeared first on Crypto Briefing.
Ethereum’s derivatives market is showing signs of a decisive shift beneath the surface, and price action is about to return above the $3,000 mark. On-chain data suggests trader behavior on major exchanges is shifting into a more accumulative phase. Even as ETH continues to linger below the psychologically important $3,000 price level, this metric indicates that market participants are already preparing for a bullish move and a test of direction in the days ahead. Related Reading: XRP ETFs Grow Past $60M As Price Struggles To Respond Ethereum Leverage Ratio Prints New All-Time High Data from on-chain analytics platform CryptoQuant shows that Ethereum’s Estimated Leverage Ratio on Binance has climbed to 0.611, the highest level ever recorded for this metric. The Estimated Leverage Ratio compares open interest to exchange reserves, and this offers insight into how much borrowed capital traders are deploying relative to available liquidity. Sustained increases in this ratio are a reflection of an increase in risk appetite from investors. It means that traders are committing larger leveraged positions in anticipation of favorable price movement. The current reading surpasses previous cycle peaks, and this environment can amplify price moves, since even modest spot price changes can trigger large liquidations when leverage is elevated. Ethereum: Estimated Leverage Ratio – Binance: CryptoQuant Another important metric points to an increase in Ethereum demand alongside record leverage. This metric is in the form of the Taker Buy Sell Ratio, which recently spiked to 1.13 on Binance. This is interesting because this level was last observed in September 2023. A reading above 1 indicates that market participants are executing more buy orders than sell orders. This combination of strong taker demand and rising leverage reveals optimism is now dominating short-term sentiment. The chart below shows the spikes in the Taker Buy Sell Ratio have more often than not coincided with periods of increased volatility. This buying pressure is now notable, with Ethereum trading around $2,900 in the past few hours, and this means that many traders are positioning ahead of a potential attempt to reclaim $3,000. Ethereum: Taker Buy Sell Ratio – Binance. Source: CryptoQuant Analyst Maps Out Ethereum’s Path Back Above $3,000 Adding a price-based perspective to the on-chain signals, crypto analyst Ted Pillows has outlined a clear technical roadmap for Ethereum’s next move. According to his analysis, ETH recently tapped into an important demand zone between $2,700 and $2,800 and has started to rebound from that area. This move occurred when Ethereum broke below $3,000 again this week to reach a low of $2,781 on December 18, which is highlighted on the chart below as a major support band. Ethereum Price Chart. Source: @TedPillows On X Pillows noted that holding this support zone keeps the bullish structure intact. If buyers continue to defend the $2,700-$2,800 range, Ethereum could build enough momentum for a push to the $3,100 to $3,200 region. That zone also sits just above the psychologically important $3,000 level. Related Reading: Bitcoin Feels The Weight Of Quantum Risk Concerns, Industry Leaders Warn The downside scenario is equally clear. A failure to hold the current support would expose Ethereum to a deeper pullback, with the chart pointing toward a potential retest of the $2,500 level. Featured image from Pexels, chart from TradingView
The Ethereum market has seen an eventful display throughout 2025, kicking off the year with bearish momentum, where it witnessed a significant downturn of over 60% as of April. Interestingly, this year also marked the establishment of a new all-time-high for the king of altcoins, reaching values around $4,955 in August. At the moment, Ethereum has deviated by nearly 40% from its all-time-high price, raising questions concerning how the token would end the year. Notably, market analyst Ali Martinez has published a recent analysis, highlighting significant price levels that the bullish speculations ultimately depend on. Related Reading: Ethereum Exchange Supply Just Crashed To New Lows, Why This Is Bullish For Price URPD Reveals Significant Accumulation At $2,772 — What This Means In an X post on December 19, Martinez reports that specific price zones should at least serve as cushions to Ethereum’s bearish move. The post relies on data obtained from the URPD (UTXO Realized Price Distribution) metric, which reveals price levels where the current supply of a cryptocurrency last moved on-chain. In the chart shared below, we see a high concentration of acquired Ethereum supply at the $2,772 price mark, suggesting that a significant number of investors purchased their holdings at this price, or around it. Therefore, investors are more likely to defend their holdings around this level, thus transforming it into a strong psychological support. Interestingly, more tokens are expected to be purchased at this level, adding to the amount of buy momentum, counteracting the extant sell-pressure. If Ethereum, however, attempts a further push to the upside, significant resistance levels at the $3,211 and $3,224 price levels lie in wait. Related Reading: Ethereum Exchange Outflows Soar To $978M: Sign Of Dip Buying? $2,489 And $1,866 Next Supports In Line If $2,772 Fails If its heavily-defended support fails, the Ethereum price could see a free-fall towards the next psychological support. Martinez points out that this cushion sits at $2,489. From the chart, a fair bit of ETH supply was last transacted at this price region. Because the magnitude of transactions is ostensibly insignificant, $2,489 could likely only provide temporary relief to the falling Ethereum price, if it is reached. Therefore, there could be a continued series of sales until the Ether token sees its last significant support around the $1,866 price. In this scenario, the Ethereum market would be experiencing a major sentiment shift as a result of its uncurbed fall to its last support. As of this writing, Ethereum is valued at approximately $2,987. Data from CoinMarketCap shows that the token has gained by 5.56% in 24 hours. Featured image from Pexels, chart from Tradingview
The final quarter has historically been a constructive phase for crypto markets, with December often marking the start of renewed upside momentum. In past cycles, the Bitcoin price has used this period to break prolonged consolidations and reverse bearish trends, while the Ethereum price follows. This year, however, that seasonal playbook is failing. Despite multiple …
On-chain data shows the Ethereum exchange netflow has witnessed a negative spike during the past week, a potential sign that investors have been accumulating. Ethereum Exchange Netflow Has Been Red For The Past Week As pointed out by institutional DeFi solutions provider Sentora in a new post on X, Ethereum has seen net outflows from exchanges in the past week. The indicator of relevance here is the “Exchange Netflow,” which measures the net amount of ETH that’s moving into or out of wallets connected with centralized exchanges. When the value of this metric is positive, it means the investors are depositing a net number of tokens to these platforms. As one of the main reasons why holders deposit their coins to exchanges is for selling-related purposes, this kind of trend can be bearish for the asset’s price. Related Reading: Bitcoin & Ethereum Diverge: Longs Dominate BTC, While ETH Shorts Rise On the other hand, the indicator being below zero suggests outflows are dominating the inflows on exchanges. Such a trend can be a sign that investors are in a phase of accumulation, which can naturally be bullish for the cryptocurrency. As the data shared by Sentora shows, Ethereum has seen a weekly Exchange Netflow value of -$978.45 million, indicating that traders have made a massive amount of net withdrawals. The significant outflows have come as Ethereum has witnessed a decline during the past week. As Sentora explains: This signals aggressive accumulation where investors are likely “buying the dip” and withdrawing assets to cold storage or on-chain environments, tightening the liquid supply despite the negative price momentum. Related Reading: Ethereum Risks Slide To $2,000 If December Closes Below This Level: Analyst The price drawdown in the past week has also accompanied a drop in the total transaction fees on the network, meaning that transfer activity has gone down. The blockchain saw about $2.64 million in fees over the last week, which is more than 15% down week-over-week. ETH Saw A Brief Visit Under $2,800 Before Rebounding Ethereum observed a decline to $2,780 on Thursday, but the asset was able to bounce back as it’s now floating just under $3,000. Interestingly, ETH’s bottom was around the same level as a major on-chain supply cluster, as a chart shared by analyst Ali Martinez in an X post shows. In the graph, Martinez has attached the data of the Ethereum UTXO Realized Price Distribution (URPD) from on-chain analytics firm Glassnode. This metric basically tells us how much ETH supply was last transacted at the various price levels that the coin has visited in its history. There is a huge supply zone located at $2,772 on the URPD, suggesting a large amount of investors have their cost basis at it. Generally, such levels act as a support boundary during downtrends, as traders who purchased there buy the dip to defend it. Featured image from Dall-E, Sentora.com, chart from TradingView.com
CryptoQuant has released a new report, highlighting a significant shift in Ethereum’s exchange supply dynamics and institutional behavior. According to the data, the amount of ETH held on crypto exchanges has crashed to unexpected lows. The decline coincides with growing institutional accumulation, a trend often viewed as an early signal of a bullish price outlook. Ethereum Exchange Balances Fall To 2016 Lows Arab Chain, a crypto analyst on CryptoQuant, revealed that Ethereum’s exchange supply ratio across all tracked platforms has declined to approximately 0.137. According to the data referenced in the report, this represents one of the lowest readings observed since 2016. Related Reading: Ethereum 2-Year Trend Maps Out This Unique Crash Path To Bottom At $2,187 The analyst emphasized that this metric reflects the proportion of total ETH supply currently held on exchanges relative to the overall circulating supply. Lower levels of this metric reflect a smaller fraction of ETH ready for liquidation on exchanges, which the analyst identifies as an important factor in understanding market liquidity conditions. Arab Chain also noted that the sustained decline in this ratio indicates a continued outflow of ETH from centralized exchanges to external wallets. This movement suggests that a smaller portion of Ethereum’s supply is readily available for trading. It also signals growing confidence among holders who prefer long-term positioning over short-term speculation. From a broader market perspective, a shrinking exchange supply is often seen as bullish for prices due to basic supply-and-demand dynamics. When fewer coins are available to sell, even a slight increase in demand can push prices up, as buyers compete for a smaller pool of liquid ETH. Reduced liquidity can also limit the intensity of declines, as large sell orders become harder to execute without moving the market. In his report, Arab Chain references historical behaviour, illustrated by a chart showing the Ethereum supply ratio for all exchanges. The analyst noted that similar declines in exchange supply have occurred during periods of reaccumulation or in the lead-up to stable price movements following significant market volatility. Ethereum Supply On Binance Crashes Arab Chain has also shared insights on Ethereum’s supply on Binance. The analyst disclosed that ETH balances on the exchange have been steadily declining over the past few months. As one of the largest crypto exchanges in the world, Binance’s reserve changes often reflect broader market sentiment. Related Reading: Why Did The Bitcoin, Ethereum, And XRP Prices Crash, And Will It Continue? The CryptoQuant report highlights that the Exchange Supply Ratio on Binance has crashed to 0.0325, a relatively low level compared to previous months. This indicates a steady withdrawal of ETH from the crypto exchange, reducing the amount of tokens available for immediate spot market selling. Arab Chain suggested that the drop in Ethereum supply on Binance shows that traders are becoming more cautious. Rather than engaging in short-term trades, many appear to be holding ETH off exchanges due to ongoing market volatility and uncertainty. The analyst added that the falling supply, combined with ETH’s price stability, indicates lower selling pressure. It also signals that the market may be entering a new phase of liquidity absorption and repositioning. Featured image from Adobe Stock, chart from Tradingview.com
The following article is adapted from The Block’s newsletter, The Daily, which comes out on weekday afternoons.
In times when the Bitcoin price volatility is at its peak, some altcoins like XRP have been maintaining their stability. As the bulls are trying to regain control, the second-largest crypto, Ethereum, is once again approaching the psychological barrier at $3000. At this time, the bull-bear concentration and the short-term price spikes may have a …
Ethereum has been struggling to regain traction below the $3,000 level since Monday, with repeated rejection attempts reinforcing a fragile market structure. Bulls continue to lose ground as upside momentum fades, while sentiment across the market remains dominated by apathy and underlying fear. Related Reading: Bitcoin Faces Elevated Downside Risk: Loss Selling Takes Hold As STH SOPR Falls Below 1 Trading activity has thinned, relief rallies have been short-lived, and many participants appear hesitant to commit capital in a market that lacks clear directional conviction. As price drifts sideways under key resistance, the broader narrative has shifted from optimism to caution. Despite this weak price action, on-chain derivatives data tells a more complex story. According to a CryptoQuant report, Ethereum’s derivatives market on Binance is reaching record levels, highlighting a sharp rise in risk appetite and speculative positioning among traders. Leverage across ETH contracts has expanded significantly, suggesting that market participants are increasingly willing to take on risk in anticipation of a directional move. This behavior points to growing optimism beneath the surface, even as spot price struggles to reflect it. The divergence between subdued price action and rising derivatives exposure creates a tense market environment. Ethereum Leverage Reaches Extreme Levels The CryptoQuant analysis by CryptoOnchain highlights a critical shift in Ethereum’s derivatives landscape, underscoring how speculative positioning has reached extreme levels. According to the data, Ethereum’s Estimated Leverage Ratio (ELR) on Binance has surged to 0.611, marking a new all-time high for this metric. A rising ELR indicates that traders are taking on increasingly large leveraged positions relative to the exchange’s reserves. At the same time, the report explains that buying aggression has intensified. On December 19, the Taker Buy Sell Ratio spiked to 1.13, a level not observed since September 2023. A ratio above one indicates that aggressive buyers are dominating order flow, with traders actively lifting offers rather than passively waiting. This combination of elevated leverage and strong taker buying reflects a market leaning heavily toward bullish expectations. The convergence of these two indicators sends a clear message: traders are not only optimistic about Ethereum’s price trajectory, but they are also willing to assume substantial risk to express that view. However, this structure comes with meaningful downside risks. While high leverage can amplify upside momentum and fuel a breakout through resistance, it also creates fragility. With leverage at historic highs, even a modest price pullback could trigger cascading liquidations, increasing the probability of a sharp “long squeeze” and sudden volatility. Related Reading: Legendary Bitcoin OG Deepens Ethereum Bet Despite Losses Exceeding $70 Million ETH Price Struggles Below as Bearish Structure Persists Ethereum’s price action on the daily chart reflects a market attempting to stabilize after a prolonged corrective phase, but still trapped below critical resistance levels. ETH is currently trading around the $2,950 area after a short-term rebound, yet the broader structure remains fragile. The recent bounce has pushed price back toward the descending short-term moving average, but ETH continues to trade below both the 100-day and 200-day moving averages, which are now acting as dynamic resistance rather than support. Structurally, Ethereum has formed a series of lower highs since the October peak near $4,800, confirming a clear downtrend on the medium-term timeframe. The failure to reclaim the $3,200–$3,300 zone is particularly notable, as this area previously acted as strong support during the uptrend and has now flipped into resistance. As long as ETH remains below this range, bullish attempts are likely to be sold into. While the latest rebound came with a modest increase in volume, it remains well below the levels observed during impulsive upside moves earlier in the year. This suggests short-covering or tactical buying rather than strong spot demand. Related Reading: From Cycles To Continuity: Why Bitcoin’s 4-Year Pattern May Be Breaking On the downside, the $2,800–$2,750 region stands out as immediate support. A decisive break below this zone would expose ETH to a deeper retracement toward the $2,500 area. For the bearish structure to weaken meaningfully, Ethereum must reclaim the $3,200 level and hold above its key moving averages with expanding volume. Featured image from ChatGPT, chart from TradingView.com
US spot crypto ETFs have attracted more than $70 billion in net inflows since January 2024, making traditional financial investment vehicles the primary entry point for new money into the emerging industry. That surge, driven by products linked to Bitcoin, Ethereum, and more recently Solana and XRP, has validated the industry’s view that many investors […]
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Bitcoin, Ethereum and XRP traded carefully on Friday as global investors watched the expiry of about $7.1 trillion worth of U.S. stock and ETF options. This is the largest options expiry ever recorded, and its size has raised concerns about short-term market volatility. Still, analysts say such events do not automatically lead to a sharp …
Glamsterdam and Hegota are expected to continue Ethereum's twice-a-year upgrade schedule in 2026 following Pectra and Fusaka.
Data shows Bitcoin and Ethereum have formed a divergence in the Funding Rate indicator, with traders going long on BTC, short on ETH. Bitcoin & Ethereum Funding Rates Are Showing Opposite Values In a new post on X, on-chain analytics firm Santiment has talked about how the Funding Rate has developed for Bitcoin and Ethereum amid the latest market volatility. Related Reading: Ethereum Risks Slide To $2,000 If December Closes Below This Level: Analyst Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies saw some sudden price swings during the past day, with BTC’s price first rallying to $90,300 in a blink, but then crashing back toward $86,000 just as quickly. The coin’s decline later extended to $85,300. While BTC returned to about the same levels as before the flash surge, the same wasn’t true about Ethereum. After its rally to $3,000, ETH plummeted to $2,830, before another leg down to about $2,790. Before the volatility storm, the cryptocurrency was trading around $2,920. The difference in price action could be a potential factor behind the divergence that has formed in the derivatives market sentiment as gauged by the Funding Rate. The Funding Rate keeps track of the periodic amount of fees that derivatives traders are paying on all centralized exchanges. A positive value on the indicator is a sign that long investors are paying the short ones, while a negative one implies bearish positions outweigh the bullish ones. Now, here is the chart shared by Santiment that shows how the Funding Rate has changed for Bitcoin and Ethereum over the past month: As displayed in the above graph, the Bitcoin Funding Rate has been positive for the last few days, indicating that a bullish mentality has been dominant among the traders. This sentiment has been maintained even after the price volatility. Ethereum was also observing a positive value on the Funding Rate prior to the volatility, but unlike for BTC, the trend didn’t last. Since ETH has gone through its quick surge and flash crash, the indicator has turned red, a sign that shorts have started outpacing longs. The fact that bullish sentiment around ETH has weakened, however, may not actually be negative. According to Santiment, highly leveraged long positions have historically led to sharp liquidation events and volatility. This trend was also seen during some recent tops and pullbacks. Thus, considering that the Funding Rate is negative for Ethereum now, the risk of volatility may be lower. That said, Bitcoin’s long-heavy market could still be relevant for the cryptocurrency. Related Reading: Bitcoin Could Be Sub-$50,000 By 2028 Without Quantum Fix, Warns Capriole Founder As Santiment explains, “all assets will still move with Bitcoin, meaning Bitcoin’s funding rates must stay neutral or go negative in order to justify a clear path back to $100K and for altcoins to rebound.” BTC Price Bitcoin has recovered back to $87,100 following its plunge on Wednesday. Featured image from Dall-E, Santiment.net, chart from TradingView.com
Ethereum price failed to stay above $2,950 and declined again. ETH is now consolidating and might soon aim to attempt another recovery wave if it clears $2,850. Ethereum started a fresh decline below the $2,920 zone. The price is trading below $2,900 and the 100-hourly Simple Moving Average. There is a connecting bearish trend line forming with resistance at $2,925 on the hourly chart of ETH/USD (data feed via Kraken). The pair could continue to move down if it settles below the $2,800 zone. Ethereum Price Faces Renewed Selling Pressure Ethereum price attempted a fresh increase but struggled above $2,950, like Bitcoin. ETH price dipped below $2,920 and $2,900 to enter a bearish zone. The bears even pushed the price below $2,820. A low was formed at $2,775 and the price is now consolidating losses well near the 23.6% Fib retracement level of the downward move from the $2,993 swing high to the $2,775 low. Ethereum price is now trading below $2,870 and the 100-hourly Simple Moving Average. Besides, there is a connecting bearish trend line forming with resistance at $2,925 on the hourly chart of ETH/USD. If there is another upward move, the price could face resistance near the $2,850 level. The next key resistance is near the $2,880 level and 50% Fib retracement level of the downward move from the $2,993 swing high to the $2,775 low. The first major resistance is near the $2,925 level and the trend line. A clear move above the $2,925 resistance might send the price toward the $3,000 resistance. An upside break above the $3,000 region might call for more gains in the coming days. In the stated case, Ether could rise toward the $3,080 resistance zone or even $3,120 in the near term. Downside Continuation In ETH? If Ethereum fails to clear the $2,850 resistance, it could start a fresh decline. Initial support on the downside is near the $2,800 level. The first major support sits near the $2,775 zone. A clear move below the $2,775 support might push the price toward the $2,720 support. Any more losses might send the price toward the $2,640 region. The next key support sits at $2,620. 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 below the 50 zone. Major Support Level – $2,775 Major Resistance Level – $2,880
Ethereum is facing renewed selling pressure as the broader market struggles with fear, uncertainty, and growing bearish expectations. After weeks of weakness, many analysts are now openly calling for a prolonged bear market stretching into 2026, arguing that Ethereum remains below key structural levels and lacks strong momentum. Related Reading: From Cycles To Continuity: Why Bitcoin’s 4-Year Pattern May Be Breaking Bulls are attempting to defend the $2,800 mark, a level that has become critical for maintaining short-term confidence, but price action continues to reflect hesitation rather than conviction. Volatility remains elevated, and market sentiment is dominated by caution rather than optimism. Against this fragile backdrop, on-chain data reveals a notable divergence between price action and behavior from experienced market participants. According to data from Hyperdash, the Bitcoin OG, known for shorting the market during the October 10 crash, has once again increased his exposure to Ethereum. This trader, widely followed for his high-conviction and well-timed positioning, just added another 12,406 ETH to his long positions, signaling confidence at current price levels despite the prevailing bearish narrative. While retail sentiment weakens and analysts debate deeper downside scenarios, strategic accumulation by seasoned players suggests that Ethereum may be approaching a decisive phase. Whether this marks early positioning ahead of a recovery or a high-risk bet in a deteriorating market remains the key question ahead. A High-Conviction Bet Under Pressure Lookonchain reports that the Bitcoin OG continues to hold substantial, high-conviction positions across multiple assets, despite the ongoing market weakness. According to the latest data, his current exposure includes 203,341 ETH valued at approximately $577.5 million, 1,000 BTC worth around $87 million, and 250,000 SOL valued near $30.7 million. This level of concentration highlights a willingness to endure significant volatility rather than reduce risk in an increasingly uncertain environment. That conviction, however, has come with meaningful drawdowns. The wallet is now down more than $70 million from its peak. At one point, unrealized profits exceeded $120 million, but recent price declines have reduced that figure to less than $30 million. The swing illustrates how quickly market conditions can shift, even for traders with a strong track record and well-timed entries in the past. From a broader market perspective, this positioning reflects a sharp contrast between sentiment and behavior. While many participants have turned defensive and analysts debate the likelihood of a prolonged bear market, this wallet remains heavily exposed, suggesting a belief that current levels may still offer asymmetric upside. At the same time, the drawdown serves as a clear reminder that size and conviction do not remove risk in a structurally fragile market. Related Reading: Bitcoin Structure Turns Bearish As Structural Indicators Flip Negative Ethereum Tests Structural Support Amid Growing Pressure Ethereum’s weekly chart highlights a clear loss of momentum after the rejection near the $4,800–$5,000 region, followed by a sharp retracement toward the $2,800–$2,900 zone. Price is currently trading below the 50-week moving average and hovering near the 100-week MA, a level that historically acts as an important inflection point for medium-term trend direction. The failure to hold above the short-term averages confirms that sellers have regained control of the structure. From a trend perspective, ETH remains above the rising 200-week moving average, which continues to define the long-term bullish framework. However, the widening gap between the faster and slower averages has started to compress, signaling a transition phase rather than trend continuation. Volume has expanded on down weeks, reinforcing the idea that recent downside moves are driven by active distribution rather than passive consolidation. Related Reading: XRP Liquidity Dries Up: Futures Buy Volume On Binance Falls from $5.8B to $250M The $2,800 area now represents a critical demand zone. A sustained hold above this level would suggest that the correction is a controlled pullback within a broader range. Conversely, a weekly close below it would expose ETH to a deeper retracement toward the $2,400–$2,500 region, where the 200-week MA and prior consolidation converge. Overall, the chart reflects a market caught between long-term structural support and short-term bearish momentum. Ethereum needs a decisive reclaim of the 50-week moving average to neutralize downside risk and restore confidence in trend continuation. Featured image from ChatGPT, chart from TradingView.com
Cardano is signaling a fundamental shift from the network's roots in academic research toward a commercially driven “operating system” model. On Dec. 17, the Intersect Product Committee released a report titled “Vision 2030,” outlining a strict set of performance benchmarks intended to redefine how the market values the network. Intersect, the member-based organization tasked with […]
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The crypto market has turned red today, with tokens like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and XRP trading lower. The total crypto market value has dropped to about $2.97 trillion, down more than 2% in the last 24 hours, as investors remain cautious. Even though some positive economic news has come out, traders are still selling risk assets, …
The Bitcoin and Ethereum prices are down today as the crypto market remains in a phase of extreme fear. This latest crash came amid BlackRock’s move, which sparked fear of a sell-off from the world’s largest asset manager. The Bitcoin and Ethereum prices are down today following BlackRock’s transfer of 2,257 BTC and 74,973 ETH to Coinbase, indicating plans to offload these coins. Notably, the BTC and ETH ETFs recorded outflows on December 16, likely why the asset manager moved these coins to redeem shares for its IBIT and ETHA ETFs, which were sold that day. Bitcoin and Ethereum Prices Decline Amid BlackRock’s Transfer These Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs have continued to record mixed flows, which have partly contributed to declines in BTC and ETH prices. Notably, the Bitcoin price had surged to around $90,000 yesterday from an intraday low of around $87,000, before retracing below $87,000 about an hour later. This immediately sparked theories of manipulation, with some crypto pundits revealing that BlackRock wasn’t the only one selling. Related Reading: The Bearish Structure That Puts Bitcoin Price At $92,550, And Then $82,000 Crypto pundit Kruse claimed that Binance first bought nonstop for over 30 minutes to pump the price, then started dumping millions of BTC and ETH to liquidate longs. He noted that the Bitcoin price pumped about $3,300 in 30 minutes, with $106 million in shorts wiped out during that period. Following that, BTC printed another volatile hourly candle to the downside, which flushed out $52 million in longs. A similar price action had also played out for the Ethereum price. Kruse declared that this wasn’t random volatility but rather liquidity hunting. The pundit further warned that this is how leverage gets punished in crypto. He then reiterated that the volatile Bitcoin and Ethereum price actions weren’t random, indicating the market is being manipulated. Onchain Sleuth Tracer also accused Binance of being responsible for the Bitcoin and Ethereum price declines. He claimed that the crypto exchange pumped and dumped millions of BTC to liquidate traders, with $194 million in shorts and longs liquidated in one hour. BTC And ETH To Hit New All-Time Highs Next Year? Crypto asset manager Bitwise has predicted that the Bitcoin price will break the four-year cycle and set new all-time highs in 2026. The asset manager alluded to factors such as the Bitcoin halving and interest rate cycles as what will drive this rally for the flagship crypto. The firm also remarked that crypto booms and busts fueled by leverage are weaker than in past cycles. Related Reading: Ethereum 2-Year Trend Maps Out This Unique Crash Path To Bottom At $2,187 Bitwise also stated that institutions are likely to allocate more to Bitcoin ETFs, which is why they expect the Bitcoin price to reach new all-time highs next year. Furthermore, the firm noted that the pro-crypto regulatory shift will continue to allow companies to adopt crypto at a faster rate. The crypto asset manager also predicted that the Ethereum price could reach a new all-time high if the CLARITY Act passes. Featured image from iStock, chart from Tradingview.com
Ethereum researchers have proposed new approaches to address centralization and cost concerns stemming from the protocol's state bloat.