The industry’s largest cryptocurrencies, Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH), are enduring one of their most difficult openings to a year on record, according to a recent analysis by Fortune, with both digital assets trading sharply below their previous peaks. Bitcoin is currently down roughly 46% from its all-time high, while Ethereum has fallen about 60% from its record level. The steep declines mark what the publication describes as historically poor year-to-date performances for the assets. Bitcoin, Ethereum Lag While S&P 500, Gold Post Gains While Bitcoin and Ethereum, along with broader crypto prices, have often moved in tandem with equities in recent years, that relationship has weakened over the past two months. Since January, major US stock indices have edged higher. The S&P 500 has gained approximately 0.4%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average has climbed 2.3%. Precious metals have also performed strongly. Gold has surged about 17% since the start of the year, while silver has advanced roughly 14%, even after experiencing a brief drop several weeks ago. Related Reading: ‘Sell Bitcoin Now,’ Peter Schiff Warns, Predicts $20,000 Target On Breakdown The disconnect between cryptocurrencies and broader market gains has prompted some industry observers to declare the arrival of another “Crypto Winter.” “We’re certainly in a Crypto Winter,” said Danny Nelson, a research analyst at crypto asset manager Bitwise. He pointed to investor behavior as evidence of deteriorating sentiment. “You can tell by how investors react to good news,” Nelson said. “They don’t.” ‘We’re Really Close To The End’ Despite the current pullback and the increased challenges for prices seen since the October 10 liquidation event, Nelson argues that the underlying foundation of the industry is strengthening. “Crypto’s reality is getting stronger,” he said, adding that the structural changes underway are likely to outlast the current downturn. Related Reading: House Democrats Urge Treasury Probe Into Trump Family’s Crypto Venture Similar sentiments have been expressed by Tom Lee, cofounder of research firm Fundstrat and a long-time supporter of Ethereum. In a recent interview, Lee suggested the market may be nearing a turning point, stating, “We’re really close to the end.” Whether the latest slump proves to be a temporary correction or a deeper cycle shift remains uncertain. For now, however, the data underscores a challenging start to the year for the cryptocurrency market, even as other asset classes continue to surge. At the time of writing, Bitcoin is trading at $67,595, which is a slight 1% increase compared to Thursday’s prices. Ethereum is trading at around $1,968, with similar gains over the past 24 hours. Featured image from OpenArt, chart from TradingView.com
The long-term vision for Ethereum is increasingly shifting beyond incremental upgrades toward a more fundamental transformation of its core architecture. As the network continues to scale and support a growing ecosystem of decentralized applications, developers and researchers are exploring whether achieving ETH’s ultimate goals of global scalability, security, and decentralization requires rebuilding elements of its base layer rather than simply refining existing systems. Rebuilding Core Infrastructure For Long-Term Growth Ethereum’s evolution has moved beyond incremental upgrades; it is entering a phase of structural reconstruction. The head of research at EigenCloud, Soubhik Deb, mentioned on X that the initiative often referred to as Lean Consensus, formerly known as née Beamchain, signals the beginning of ETH’s endgame. Related Reading: Ethereum Foundation Maps 2026 Protocol Priorities as Major Upgrades Near It is reducing accumulated technical debt, pushing toward fast finality, and designing the protocol with post-quantum future resilience in mind. At the heart of this transformation is Lean Consensus, being one of the most ambitious protocol workstreams for the network and the crypto infrastructure overall. In Soubhik Deb’s discussions with Drakefjustin, the focus was to understand what Lean ETH practically is in terms of real-time proving and increased Layer 1 throughput, and what it unlocks for the rollups. Other protocols are being introduced to bolster the network’s ecosystem, including scaling. Analyst Ladislaus offered insight into the relationship between FOCIL and Ethereum’s scaling roadmap, particularly in the medium-term via L1 zkEVMs. Presently, it seems clear that the ETH community is demanding higher L1 throughput to meet global demand. However, the truth about trade-offs today is that censorship resistance and fast inclusion rely heavily on validator altruism, more concretely, on the willingness of validators choosing to build blocks locally and thereby forego more valuable blocks from third-party builders. At the current scale, the tax on altruism is still acceptable and manageable, but reliance is brittle and suboptimal. What makes it even more problematic is that as throughput increases, it becomes progressively more expensive. The good news is that FOCIL will make inclusion a protocol-level guarantee. Instead of treating censorship resistance as a market probability, it becomes an enforced rule of the system. Related Reading: Ethereum Price Builds Tension Below Resistance, Breakout Risk Rising However, with the decision to schedule FOCIL for protocol inclusion, the project is well-positioned to reduce critical social-layer dependency. At the same time, paving the way for a massive increase in L1 throughput. Ethereum Liquidation Clusters Build On Both Sides Of Price Ethereum’s current liquidation heatmap reflects a market stretched on both sides. According to Ted, ETH longs and shorts are aggressive, which means all this aggressiveness will be taken out. If geopolitical tensions such as a potential US–Iran escalation intensify, downside pressure could spark long liquidations, followed by a reversal that squeezes shorts. However, positive developments like peace talks could ignite an upside breakout, wiping out shorts before the price potentially retraces to target late longs. Featured image from Adobe Stock, chart from Tradingview.com
Ethereum is struggling to reclaim the $2,000 level, with persistent selling pressure continuing to weigh on sentiment across the broader crypto market. Despite intermittent recovery attempts, price action remains fragile as liquidity conditions tighten and investors reassess risk exposure following the sharp correction from the 2025 highs. The repeated failure to secure sustained acceptance above this psychological threshold has reinforced caution among both institutional and retail participants. Related Reading: The Altcoin Exodus: Trading Volumes Halve As Capital Flees To Bitcoin $65,000 Fortress Recent on-chain analysis highlights a notable structural development: Ethereum is currently trading below the realized price of every major whale cohort. The realized price metric represents the average acquisition cost of coins held by a given group, effectively serving as a proxy for aggregate cost basis. When the rice falls below this level, it implies that even large, historically resilient holders are sitting on unrealized losses. Historically, such conditions tend to coincide with late-stage corrective phases rather than early bull expansions. The last comparable occurrence followed Ethereum’s previous all-time high cycle, specifically in September 2018. That period marked a prolonged consolidation phase during which market excesses were gradually absorbed before a new structural uptrend eventually emerged. Ethereum Trades Below Whale Cost Basis Trading below whale realized prices also has psychological implications. Large holders typically operate with longer investment horizons, and their profitability cushions often help stabilize markets during corrections. When that cushion disappears, volatility can increase as confidence weakens and liquidity becomes more reactive to macro catalysts. This does not necessarily imply immediate bullish reversal conditions. Rather, it signals that the market may be undergoing a redistribution phase in which weaker hands exit while longer-term investors reassess positioning. Markets often require extended stabilization periods after leverage unwinds and sentiment deteriorates, particularly following euphoric cycles. Related Reading: Ethereum’s Leverage Reset Clears The Path For A Healthy Rebound – Analyst At the same time, such environments sometimes attract strategic accumulation. Investors willing to tolerate volatility may view sub-realized-price conditions as opportunities, particularly when accompanied by declining leverage and cooling speculative activity. Whether this dynamic ultimately leads to accumulation or further downside depends heavily on macro liquidity trends, regulatory developments, and broader risk appetite across financial markets. Technical Price Outlook From a technical perspective, the weekly chart underscores Ethereum’s current vulnerability. Price has recently broken below key moving averages that previously functioned as dynamic support. These averages now act as resistance zones, limiting upside momentum unless decisively reclaimed. The recent decline toward the $1,900–$2,000 region reflects a continuation of the broader corrective structure that began after the mid-2025 peak. Volume patterns suggest participation has moderated compared with the impulsive rally phase, indicating reduced speculative enthusiasm. However, declining volume during corrections can also signal exhaustion of aggressive sellers, potentially setting the stage for base formation if demand stabilizes. Related Reading: Is Bitcoin Supply Moving To Strong Hands? Whale Data Suggest Structural Shift Immediate support appears concentrated near the recent local lows around the mid-$1,800 zone, while resistance remains clustered near the $2,200–$2,400 region where prior consolidation occurred. A sustained move above these levels would be required to shift short-term momentum decisively positive. Conversely, failure to hold current support could expose Ethereum to deeper retracement levels consistent with broader market deleveraging. For now, Ethereum remains at a technical and psychological crossroads. Trading below whale realized prices, struggling beneath major resistance levels, and navigating uncertain macro conditions collectively define a market still searching for equilibrium rather than entering a confirmed recovery phase. Featured image from ChatGPT, chart from TradingView.com
Ethereum’s technical structure has weakened further after slipping decisively below the $2,100 level, reinforcing short-term bearish pressure. However, while the breakdown raises the risk of a deeper downside, a repeating fractal pattern on the higher timeframe offers a potential glimmer of hope, suggesting that a larger breakout could still emerge if history rhymes. Key $2.3K–$2.1K Support Zone Lost According to Crypto Candy, Ethereum has decisively lost its key daily support zone between $2,300 and $2,100, closing firmly below it and confirming a structural breakdown. This area had previously acted as a strong demand region, repeatedly absorbing selling pressure. Its failure marks an important technical shift, suggesting that the broader market structure has weakened. Related Reading: Ethereum Price Stalls Under Resistance With Breakout Hopes Delayed With the breakdown confirmed, the former support zone has now flipped into a significant resistance area. ETH has already attempted to reclaim the $2,100–$2,300 range but has failed to regain acceptance above it. This rejection reinforces the idea that sellers are defending the level aggressively, keeping short-term momentum tilted to the downside. If bearish momentum continues to build, the next major support region to watch sits between $1,700 and $1,500. A move into this range would align with typical continuation behavior following a failed reclaim of broken support. For now, the bias remains bearish as long as Ethereum trades below the $2,300–$2,100 zone. Only a strong reclaim followed by sustained consolidation above that range would invalidate the downside scenario. Ethereum Fractal Structure Mirrors Pre-Rally Setup Providing a weekly Ethereum update, Trader Tardigrade pointed to a compelling fractal comparison that suggests a familiar structure may be unfolding. The expert’s analysis highlights the formation of a rectangular consolidation box, a setup that closely resembles the price behavior seen before Ethereum’s explosive rally in late 2025. Related Reading: Ethereum’s Leverage Reset Clears The Path For A Healthy Rebound – Analyst During that previous cycle, ETH spent weeks compressing within a clearly defined horizontal range, building energy before eventually breaking out with strong momentum. The current chart shows a nearly identical box pattern forming, positioned similarly within the broader ascending channel. The symmetry between the two structures strengthens the case that this may not be random consolidation, but rather a repeat of a larger cyclical pattern. If the fractal continues to play out as it did before, a decisive breakout above the current range could trigger a powerful upside expansion. Just as in 2025, the longer the price compresses within the box, the more aggressive the eventual move could become. A confirmed break and sustained acceptance above the range would be the key signal that Ethereum is transitioning from accumulation to markup once again. Featured image from iStock, chart from Tradingview.com
Centralized exchanges are moving forward building their own blockchain infrastructure even as the broader Ethereum ecosystem debates its future.
Ethereum is attempting to push back above the $2,000 level as the broader crypto market navigates persistent uncertainty and ongoing selling pressure. Recent price action reflects a fragile recovery effort rather than a confirmed trend reversal, with volatility remaining elevated and traders cautious after months of corrective momentum. The $2,000 threshold has become a key psychological and technical battleground, shaping short-term sentiment as investors evaluate liquidity conditions, macro signals, and derivatives positioning. Related Reading: Is Bitcoin Supply Moving To Strong Hands? Whale Data Suggest Structural Shift A recent CryptoQuant analysis offers additional insight into evolving market dynamics, particularly within Ethereum’s derivatives landscape. Data tracking the Estimated Leverage Ratio on Binance shows a clear shift in trader behavior. The indicator recently dropped to around 0.557, marking its lowest reading since last December. This decline follows a period of heightened leverage, when the ratio peaked near 0.675, reflecting a more aggressive risk environment earlier in the cycle. The reduction in leverage suggests traders are scaling back risk exposure, closing highly leveraged positions, or moving toward more conservative strategies. Such transitions often occur during consolidation phases, when markets attempt to stabilize after volatility spikes. Declining Leverage Points To Potential Market Stabilization The analyst further notes that the recent decline in Ethereum’s estimated leverage ratio reflects a broader reduction in speculative risk across the derivatives market. Lower leverage typically indicates that traders are trimming highly leveraged positions or closing them altogether, shifting toward more conservative exposure. Historically, such deleveraging phases have often preceded the formation of new price bases, as market participants prioritize capital preservation over short-term speculative gains. The drop from roughly 0.675 to around 0.557 is therefore not simply a minor technical fluctuation. Instead, it signals a meaningful shift in market sentiment. Periods characterized by elevated leverage tend to amplify volatility and increase the probability of abrupt liquidations. Conversely, declining leverage generally corresponds with calmer market conditions, where price movements are less driven by forced liquidations and more by underlying demand dynamics. From a medium-term perspective, this transition may be constructive. Reduced leverage can create a healthier foundation for price discovery, particularly if accompanied by strengthening spot demand. In this context, the combination of lower leverage readings and relatively stable price action suggests the market could be undergoing a consolidation or repositioning phase. Such environments often precede more decisive directional moves once liquidity and sentiment conditions align. Related Reading: Bitcoin Miners Pull 36K BTC From Exchanges In Weeks: What Comes Next? Ethereum Price Remains Under Pressure Below Key Averages Ethereum continues to trade near the $2,000 level after a sharp corrective move that followed its late-2025 highs. The chart shows a clear bearish structure, with price consistently printing lower highs since the October peak while failing to sustain recoveries above key moving averages. Recent attempts to stabilize have produced only shallow rebounds, indicating persistent selling pressure and cautious market positioning. Notably, ETH remains below its short-, medium-, and long-term moving averages, which are all trending downward. This alignment typically reflects sustained bearish momentum and suggests that rallies may continue to face resistance unless the price can reclaim these levels decisively. The 200-day moving average, currently well above spot price, stands out as a major structural resistance zone. Related Reading: Ethereum Whale Losses Mirror Past Bottoms: Accumulation Continues Despite Pressure Volume data also provides context. The most recent sell-off was accompanied by a noticeable spike in trading activity, often associated with liquidation events or accelerated distribution. Since then, volume has moderated, consistent with a consolidation phase rather than an immediate reversal. From a technical perspective, the $1,900–$2,000 range now acts as a short-term stabilization zone. However, failure to hold this area could expose lower support levels, while a sustained break above nearby resistance would be needed to signal improving momentum. Featured image from ChatGPT, chart from TradingView.com
Ethereum (ETH) is back on the knife’s edge, and market analyst Crypto Patel has suggested that there may be no room left for optimism if the next key level gives way. According to the analyst, the Ethereum price is hovering at a critical decision point beneath $2,000 after recording multiple price declines. However, a breakdown below $1,800 could trigger a massive crash. Ethereum Records Multiple Failed Bullish Structures In an X post this Monday, Crypto Patel admitted that Ethereum had broken his heart twice, pointing to two failed bullish structures that have now reshaped its broader outlook. The first dagger, as the analyst calls it, came when a clean Bull Flag formation emerged, and price broke down from the $3,700 region. Related Reading: This Ethereum Hidden Bull Divergence Says Price Will Rise Over 100% To Break $4,900 ATH On the chart, that breakdown marked the end of a multi-month climb that had pushed the ETH price toward the $4,700 to $4,900 area in late summer 2025 before rolling over under a descending trendline that capped every rally attempt. The second dagger followed months later as an ascending triangle structure collapsed at the critical $3,000 support zone. What had looked like a tightening consolidation beneath horizontal resistance instead turned into a decisive breakdown. The former support zone around $3,100 to $3,500 flipped into resistance, marked by repeated rejection wicks and lower highs pressing against the descending purple trendline on the chart. Based on Crypto Patel’s analysis, that failure led to a sharp drop below $2,000. Consequently, Ethereum is now trading between $2,000 and $1,850, a range the analyst describes as the last buffer before a much deeper pullback. $1,800 Emerges As ETH’s Critical Support On the daily timeframe, Crypto Patel’s chart shows ETH recently printing around $1,982 after a sharp sell-off that sliced through its previous structure. Although the cryptocurrency has recovered slightly above $1,990, the previous decline had driven its price down from roughly $3,100 in early 2026 to sub-$2,000 levels in a matter of weeks. This left a visible imbalance zone between $2,400 and $2,600, which the analyst marks as a potential Fair Value Gap (FVG). Related Reading: Ethereum Price Is Not Going To Keep Falling Forever, Analyst Says For now, all attention is on $1,800. Crypto Patel has predicted that if Ethereum holds this critical support, a relief bounce toward $2,650 becomes the immediate upside target, likely filling part of that imbalance zone and retesting former breakdown areas. On the flip side, if $1,800 fails, a broader market panic may become justified. According to Crypto Patel, a decisive break below this support could open the path toward $1,300, marked by the lower green demand block on the chart. He has also labeled this region as strong support and the best accumulation zone, where buyers could step in aggressively. Featured image from iStock, chart from Tradingview.com
Also: EF’s Stańczak to leave ED role, XRPL member-only DEX and Ethereum revives the DAO.
Ten years after the famous hack, the DAO Security Fund has decided to stake the untouched ETH and use the yield to fund Ethereum security initiatives, honor claims indefinitely, and professionalize governance and key management.
Ethereum is attempting to rebound after recent selling pressure, but the recovery so far lacks the strength needed to confirm a lasting bottom. With momentum appearing corrective rather than impulsive and key resistance levels still intact, downside risk remains on the table unless buyers can deliver a decisive structural shift. No Impulsive Break, No Bullish Confirmation According to a recent Ethereum update by More Crypto Online, the downside scenario remains valid unless price delivers a clear impulsive five-wave advance or decisively breaks above the weekend high. The bounce from last week’s low currently appears corrective rather than impulsive. Related Reading: Ethereum Price Recovery Runs Into A Wall, Decline Risk Returns Momentum has been limited, and the structure does not yet suggest that a sustainable bottom has formed. So far, there is no clear technical evidence that a durable reversal is underway. However, Ethereum is trading within a technically significant zone. Following the recent liquidation flush, markets have become more reactive, making it important to stay alert for potential reversal signals that could shift the short-term outlook. For now, confirmation is still lacking. Until a stronger structural shift appears, close monitoring of the lower-timeframe micro structure remains essential to determine whether Ethereum builds strength or resumes its downward trajectory. Ethereum Attempts Recovery After Sunday Selloff Ethereum is attempting to stabilize after the sharp Sunday selloff, showing early signs of recovery. In his latest analysis, Lennaert Snyder noted that, similar to Bitcoin, ETH printed relatively weak weekend extremes around $1,929 on the low and $2,107 on the high. These levels now serve as key liquidity reference points for the week ahead. Related Reading: Ethereum Whale Selloff Continues As Supply Share Drops Under 75% Snyder’s broader plan anticipates a push toward higher prices, but he prefers to see nearby liquidity pools mitigated before considering quality long positions. With the higher-timeframe trend still pointing downward, short setups remain valid if the right structure presents itself. For long entries, he wants to see a sweep of the $1,946 and/or $1,929 lows, as both represent weak pivots, ideally including a full sweep of the weekend low. Such a move could provide the liquidity grab needed for a high-probability reversal back toward the weekend high. However, if price rallies directly from current levels and leaves those lows untouched, he would instead look for short opportunities following a market structure break (MSB) near the $2,107 high. Additionally, H1 liquidity sits around $2,015, offering potential scalp setups depending on whether the price gains acceptance above it or rejects it sharply. Longs would be considered on a clean reclaim, while failure after a sweep could favor shorts. With it being a bank holiday, no trades are being placed today, and the outlined plan remains intact unless price action invalidates it. Featured image from Pixabay, chart from Tradingview.com
Crypto analyst Javon Marks has revealed how Ethereum could recover and possibly break above its current all-time high (ATH) of $4,900. This came as he highlighted a bullish pattern that the altcoin was still maintaining despite the current crypto market downtrend. Ethereum Eyes Rally To ATH Amid Hidden Bull Divergence Pattern In an X post, Javon Mark noted that Ethereum is maintaining a larger Hidden Bull Divergence Pattern. Based on this, he declared that, with a full response, ETH could rally over 140% and even break its current all-time high of $4,900. His accompanying chart showed that the altcoin could rally to $5,000 by mid-year. Related Reading: Can Ethereum Price Still Hit $7,600 In 2026? Here Are The Odds His prediction comes as Ethereum continues to struggle below the psychological $2,000 level. Despite this, Marks assured that there is still a strong possibility of a larger bull reversal in the works, as ETH has recently shown a positive response to the Regular Bullish Divergence pattern. The analyst has also predicted that the altcoin could still reach $8,500 as part of the broader macro picture. Amid this bullish prediction for Ethereum, it is worth noting that Wall Street giant Standard Chartered has lowered its year-end target for ETH from $7,000 to $4,000, indicating that there is also the possibility that the altcoin won’t reach a new ATH this year. The bank also predicted that ETH could still drop to as low as $1,300 before it recovers. Standard Chartered cited the decline in institutional demand as the major reason for lowering its Ethereum price target. Like the Bitcoin ETFs, the ETH ETFs have continued to record significant net outflows. SoSo Value data shows that these funds are currently on course to record their fourth consecutive month of net outflows. How ETH Could Still Drop To As Low As $1,136 In an X post, crypto analyst Trader Tardigrade warned that a Bearish Pennant was forming, which could send Ethereum to as low as $1,136. The analyst noted that ETH is consolidating inside converging trendlines after the initial drop and that the pattern suggests continuation downward. Related Reading: Ethereum Whales Are Not Dead: The $400 Million Move That Shows What’s Going On Trader Tardigrade further warned that a drop below the current range could trigger a sharp move down, sending ETH to the breakdown target of $1,136. However, the analyst appears to remain bullish on the altcoin in the long term. He had earlier stated that ETH was repeating a similar pattern from previous cycles in which a breakdown follows a consolidation before a recovery. This time, he predicts that Ethereum could rally to as high as $7,000 once it begins to recover. At the time of writing, the Ethereum price is trading at around $1,968, up in the last 24 hours, according to data from CoinMarketCap. Featured image from Freepik, chart from Tradingview.com
The Ethereum treasury firm continues its buying spree with its largest weekly ETH purchase in token terms this year.
Ethereum continues to struggle under persistent selling pressure, with price action reflecting a fragile market environment and cautious investor sentiment. Since peaking in October, Ethereum has lost more than 60% of its value, marking one of the sharpest corrective phases of the current cycle. Analysts increasingly warn that downside risks remain elevated, particularly if broader crypto liquidity conditions fail to stabilize in the near term. Related Reading: Liquidity Or Liability? History’s Hard Lessons For The XRP Momentum Play Despite the negative price performance, on-chain data suggests a more nuanced underlying dynamic. A recent CryptoQuant report indicates that Ethereum whales are currently holding positions at a loss, with the magnitude of those unrealized losses comparable to levels historically seen near previous market bottoms. This pattern often emerges late in corrective cycles, when large holders continue accumulating rather than distributing. Notably, the report highlights that many of these large investors have not had meaningful opportunities to realize profits during this cycle, as they maintained accumulation strategies even through volatility. Such behavior can signal long-term conviction, although it does not guarantee an imminent reversal. Whale Positioning Signals Potential Bottom Formation The report argues that current on-chain positioning among large Ethereum holders may indicate that the market is approaching a cyclical bottom. According to the analysis, whales are currently sitting on losses comparable to those observed near previous market lows, a condition that historically coincided with late-stage corrective phases rather than early declines. This positioning suggests that the present price range could represent a structural floor, although confirmation typically requires stabilization in both price and liquidity conditions. One notable aspect is that these large holders now control some of the largest aggregate ETH balances on record. Despite this accumulation, they have not had significant opportunities to realize profits during the current cycle, largely because prices reversed before extended distribution phases could occur. This absence of profit-taking contrasts with prior bull cycles, where whales gradually reduced exposure near peaks. The report interprets continued accumulation under these conditions as preparation for a potential future rally rather than defensive repositioning. Large holders appear to be building exposure with a longer investment horizon, anticipating improved macro liquidity and renewed market momentum. However, while such behavior can precede recoveries, it does not eliminate downside risk. Confirmation typically requires stronger demand, improved sentiment, and sustained price stability. Related Reading: Ethereum Derivatives Reset Raises Questions About Next Price Move: What Happens Next? Ethereum Tests Critical Long-Term Support Zone Ethereum’s weekly chart shows sustained downside pressure following the sharp rejection from the late-2025 highs near the $4,800 region. Price has now retraced toward the $2,000 psychological level, an area that historically acted as both resistance and support across multiple cycles. The recent breakdown below shorter-term moving averages confirms a loss of bullish momentum and suggests that sellers remain in control in the medium term. The clustering of major moving averages above the current price reinforces this bearish structure. The faster trend averages have rolled over decisively, while the longer-term baseline continues to flatten, indicating weakening trend strength rather than outright capitulation. This configuration typically reflects late corrective phases, where volatility rises but directional conviction remains fragile. Related Reading: Bitcoin BCMI Drops Toward Bear Market Territory: How Close Is BTC To A Real Buy Zone? Volume dynamics add nuance. Elevated selling volume during the latest decline signals active distribution rather than passive drift. However, the absence of extreme capitulation spikes suggests that a full market flush may not yet have occurred. From a structural perspective, holding above the $1,800–$2,000 corridor would help stabilize sentiment and potentially form a consolidation base. A sustained breakdown below this region could expose deeper historical support zones closer to prior cycle accumulation ranges. Conversely, reclaiming the key moving averages would be required before any credible trend reversal narrative emerges. Featured image from ChatGPT, chart from TradingView.com
Ethereum continues to struggle to reclaim the $2,000 level as persistent selling pressure and elevated volatility weigh on market sentiment. Repeated attempts to push higher have met resistance, reflecting cautious positioning among traders and broader uncertainty across the crypto market. While fluctuations around key psychological levels are common during corrective phases, the current environment suggests ongoing fragility, with liquidity conditions and derivatives positioning playing a growing role in short-term price dynamics. Related Reading: Liquidity Or Liability? History’s Hard Lessons For The XRP Momentum Play Adding to the pressure, recent on-chain data from Arkham indicates that a major market participant — commonly referred to as the Hyperunit whale — has reportedly sold roughly half a billion dollars worth of ETH. Large transactions of this magnitude tend to attract significant market attention, as they can influence liquidity conditions, sentiment, and short-term volatility, even when not directly triggering sustained price declines. Such movements do not automatically signal a broader market reversal, but they often reflect strategic repositioning by large holders amid uncertain conditions. Historically, similar episodes have coincided with transitional phases, where markets reassess direction following periods of strong trends. Hyperunit Whale Rotation Adds Context To Ethereum Market Pressure Additional data from Arkham provides further context on the large ETH transaction recently observed on-chain. The entity often referred to as the “Hyperunit whale” is believed to be a major Bitcoin holder, likely of Chinese origin, whose wallets accumulated more than 100,000 BTC during early 2018, when those holdings were valued near $650 million. For several years, the strategy appeared straightforward: accumulate Bitcoin and maintain a long-term holding position, with over 90% of those coins reportedly untouched for roughly seven years. At the peak of its on-chain exposure, Arkham estimates the whale controlled approximately $11.14 billion worth of BTC. However, in August 2025, around 39,738 BTC — valued near $4.49 billion at the time — were reportedly transferred in a move interpreted as a rotation into Ethereum. Subsequent accumulation brought total ETH holdings to roughly 886,000 coins, valued at over $4 billion during that period. Since that shift, performance appears to have weakened. Estimates suggest approximately $3.7 billion in losses tied to leveraged ETH exposure and combined BTC/ETH spot holdings, alongside roughly $1.2 billion in unrealized losses on staked ETH. In aggregate, Arkham data indicate a drawdown approaching $5 billion from peak portfolio levels. Related Reading: Bitcoin BCMI Drops Toward Bear Market Territory: How Close Is BTC To A Real Buy Zone? Ethereum Price Holds As Downtrend Pressure Persists Ethereum price action continues to reflect sustained weakness, with the chart showing a clear sequence of lower highs since the late-2025 peak above the $4,000 region. The recent decline toward the $2,000 psychological level highlights persistent selling pressure, while the inability to generate a strong rebound suggests buyers remain cautious despite oversold conditions. Technically, ETH is trading below its key moving averages, which are now trending downward — a configuration typically associated with bearish momentum rather than a temporary correction. The breakdown below the mid-range consolidation seen late last year accelerated downside volatility, accompanied by a noticeable spike in trading volume. Such volume expansions often signal capitulation or forced deleveraging, rather than routine profit-taking. Related Reading: Ethereum Derivatives Reset Raises Questions About Next Price Move: What Happens Next? The current stabilization around the $1,900–$2,000 zone may represent an early attempt to form a short-term base, but confirmation would require sustained closes above nearby resistance levels, particularly the $2,200–$2,400 range, where prior support has turned into resistance. Until that occurs, upside attempts risk being corrective bounces within a broader downtrend. From a structural perspective, maintaining the $2,000 area is important for sentiment, while a decisive break lower could open the door to deeper retracement toward historical support zones. Featured image from ChatGPT, chart from TradingView.com
Ethereum continues to struggle below the $2,000 level, reflecting persistent selling pressure and increasingly fragile market sentiment. The inability to reclaim this psychological threshold has kept traders defensive, with volatility elevated and confidence weakened as negative sentiment spreads across the broader crypto market. While corrections are not unusual after strong cycles, the current environment shows clear signs of stress, with investors closely watching liquidity conditions and derivatives positioning for clues about the next directional move. Related Reading: Bitcoin BCMI Drops Toward Bear Market Territory: How Close Is BTC To A Real Buy Zone? A recent CryptoQuant report provides additional context by highlighting a significant contraction in Ethereum futures open interest. Data tracking the 30-day change in net open interest across major trading platforms indicates that the derivatives market is undergoing a clear phase of deleveraging and risk readjustment. The decline appears concentrated on key exchanges such as Binance, Gate.io, OKX, and Bybit, pointing to a widespread outflow of capital from leveraged positions. According to the figures, Binance alone recorded an approximate drop of 40 million ETH in open interest over the past month, while Gate.io saw a decline exceeding 20 million ETH. OKX posted a reduction of nearly 6.8 million ETH, with Bybit contributing roughly 8.5 million ETH, bringing the combined contraction across these platforms to around 75 million ETH. Broad Deleveraging Suggests Ethereum Market Reset The CryptoQuant report further notes that when additional platforms showing negative open interest readings are included — even those with comparatively smaller volumes — the total contraction across all exchanges exceeds 80 million ETH over the past 30 days. This confirms that the deleveraging trend is not isolated to a handful of major venues but represents a broader structural shift across the Ethereum derivatives ecosystem. Such a widespread decline in open interest typically indicates that traders, particularly those relying on leverage, are reducing exposure rather than initiating new speculative positions. This behavior may reflect caution following heightened volatility or pressure from recent price declines that triggered margin adjustments. Historically, similar environments tend to emerge during transitional market phases, when speculative momentum cools, and risk management becomes a priority. From a structural standpoint, this type of contraction can function as a market “clean-up.” By gradually removing weaker leveraged positions, the likelihood of sudden liquidation cascades may diminish over time. While this does not guarantee an immediate recovery, flushing out excess leverage often stabilizes market conditions. In Ethereum’s case, the ongoing reset in derivatives positioning could help establish a firmer price base if broader liquidity conditions and investor sentiment begin to stabilize. Related Reading: Ethereum Endures Historic Liquidation Week: Largest Sustained Liquidation Phase Since 2021 Ethereum Faces Structural Pressure Below Key Weekly Support Ethereum’s weekly chart shows persistent downside pressure after losing the $2,000 level, a zone that previously acted as both psychological support and a technical pivot during prior consolidation phases. The recent breakdown places ETH below several major moving averages, which now function as overhead resistance rather than support, indicating weakening bullish momentum and a shift toward a more defensive market structure. Price action reflects a clear rejection from the $3,000–$3,500 region earlier in the cycle, followed by a sequence of lower highs. This pattern typically signals a corrective or transitional phase rather than a continuation of the prior bullish trend. The latest decline has also been accompanied by elevated trading volume, suggesting distribution and deleveraging rather than organic accumulation. Related Reading: Bitcoin Realized Losses Hit Luna Crash Levels — But Price Context Points To A Different Market Phase From a structural standpoint, the next meaningful support area appears near the $1,600–$1,700 range, where prior consolidation and demand previously emerged. Holding this zone would help maintain the broader long-term framework despite current weakness. A sustained break below it, however, could increase the probability of a deeper retracement phase. Ethereum remains highly sensitive to macro liquidity conditions, derivatives positioning, and overall crypto market sentiment, with recovery dependent on renewed demand and stabilization above key technical levels. Featured image from ChatGPT, chart from TradingView.com
Stańczak came aboard in 2025 after the exit of longtime chief Aya Miyaguchi amid criticism the foundation wasn’t doing enough to push the Ethereum ecosystem.
Standard Chartered lowered its long-term outlook for Bitcoin (BTC) for the second time in less than three months as the cryptocurrency market appears to have entered a new bearish cycle. With the leading cryptocurrency currently consolidating below the key $70,000 level, the bank now warns that the asset could fall as low as $50,000 before staging a recovery. Standard Chartered Cuts Bitcoin Target to $100,000 In a note published Thursday, Geoff Kendrick, Standard Chartered’s head of digital assets research, said the bank now expects Bitcoin to reach $100,000 by the end of 2026. The latest figure marks a significant reduction from its previous $150,000 projection for BTC. The revision follows an earlier downgrade in December, when the bank cut its target from an ambitious $300,000. Related Reading: Is Bitcoin Already Pricing A US Recession? Analyst Sees Major Risk‑Reward Setup According to Bloomberg’s report on the matter, the bank’s more cautious stance reflects a combination of weakening macroeconomic conditions and shifting investor behavior, especially over the past month’s downtrend. The leading cryptocurrency has declined more than 40% from its October peak toward current trading prices of around $67,160, while the US spot Bitcoin exchange‑traded funds (ETFs) sector has seen nearly $8 billion in net outflows. Kendrick noted that slowing US economic momentum and reduced expectations for Federal Reserve (Fed) rate cuts have weighed heavily on digital assets. In particular, declining ETF holdings have removed what had been a critical source of demand during previous rallies. The interest‑rate environment remains a central concern. Markets have pushed back expectations for Federal Reserve easing, with investors now anticipating that the first rate cut may come later in the year than previously thought. Kendrick also pointed to uncertainty surrounding future Federal Reserve leadership as an additional factor contributing to Bitcoin caution. The bank warned that deteriorating macro conditions and the risk of further investor capitulation could continue to pressure prices in the near term. Ethereum Could Drop To $1,400 Despite the more conservative Bitcoin forecasts, Standard Chartered emphasized that the current downturn appears more orderly than previous crypto market collapses. Kendrick highlighted that on‑chain activity data continues to show improvement, suggesting that underlying network usage remains healthy. Related Reading: UNI Rallies 10% As BlackRock Brings Treasury‑Backed BUIDL Token To Uniswap Moreover, the bank’s head of research highlighted that the market has not experienced the type of high‑profile platform failures that defined the 2022 cycle, when the collapses of Terra/Luna and FTX triggered widespread contagion. The bank also revised its outlook for Ethereum (ETH). Its 2026 price target for the second‑largest cryptocurrency was reduced to $4,000 from $7,500. Before reaching that level, analysts expect Ether could fall to around $1,400. Featured image from OpenArt, chart from TradingView.com
Ethereum continues to trade below the critical $2,000 level, reflecting persistent market pressure as traders await a clearer directional catalyst. The inability to reclaim this psychological threshold has kept sentiment cautious, with volatility elevated and liquidity conditions still uncertain. While price action has stabilized somewhat after recent declines, the broader structure suggests the market is preparing for a decisive move that could define Ethereum’s short-term trajectory. Related Reading: Bitcoin Realized Losses Hit Luna Crash Levels — But Price Context Points To A Different Market Phase A recent CryptoQuant report provides important context, indicating that the Ethereum market has undergone one of its most prolonged periods of stress since mid-2021. According to the data, the 7-day simple moving average of long liquidations on Binance climbed to roughly 9,000 ETH on February 6, 2026. Because this figure represents a smoothed weekly average rather than a single-day spike, it signals sustained pressure rather than a brief liquidation cascade. This pattern implies that leveraged long positions have been unwound gradually over several days. Pointing to persistent deleveraging rather than a sudden capitulation event. Historically, extended liquidation phases can reset market leverage and reduce speculative excess, though they also tend to coincide with fragile sentiment. Whether this process ultimately stabilizes Ethereum or leads to further downside remains dependent on liquidity conditions and broader market demand. Sustained Liquidations Signal Derivatives Market Reset The CryptoQuant report further notes that Ethereum’s decline from the $3,000 region to the $2,000 range did not trigger any capitulation events. Instead, the market experienced a prolonged sequence of margin calls, with leveraged long positions gradually unwound over several consecutive days. This pattern reflects persistent stress in the derivatives market rather than a short-lived liquidation cascade. Indicating that traders faced sustained pressure as the price trended lower. From a historical standpoint, the intensity and duration of this liquidation phase appear to exceed those recorded during major capitulation periods of the 2022 bear market. Such extended liquidation activity typically signals a broad deleveraging cycle, where excessive speculative positioning is systematically cleared. This process often reshapes market structure by reducing leverage-driven volatility and restoring a more balanced risk environment. The implication is that Ethereum may have already undergone a significant leverage reset in recent weeks. Persistently elevated liquidation averages can sometimes precede seller exhaustion. Weaker market participants exit positions, and forced selling pressure gradually subsides. The durability of any recovery will likely depend on renewed spot demand and macro liquidity conditions. Also, investor confidence must return following this extended period of derivatives-driven stress. Related Reading: Long-Term Ethereum Holders Expand Positions While Market Faces Pressure: Rare Signal Emerges Ethereum Tests Long-Term Support: Weekly Structure Weakens Ethereum’s weekly chart shows increasing structural pressure after the loss of the $2,000 level, a threshold that previously acted as both psychological support and a key technical pivot. The recent breakdown places ETH below major trend-defining moving averages, suggesting weakening bullish momentum and a shift toward a more defensive market environment. Price action reflects a clear rejection from the $3,000 region earlier in the cycle. Followed by a sequence of lower highs that typically characterizes transitional or corrective phases. The latest decline also coincides with rising trading volume, often associated with distribution or leveraged position unwinding rather than organic accumulation. This dynamic reinforces the perception of ongoing market stress rather than stabilization. Related Reading: Bitcoin Drop Wipes Billions From Recent Buyers: New Whale Cost Basis Falls Toward $90K From a structural standpoint, the next meaningful support area appears around the mid-$1,500 to $1,700 zone, where previous consolidation and demand emerged in earlier phases. Holding above this range would help preserve the broader long-term bullish framework, even amid current weakness. A sustained break below it, however, could shift sentiment toward a deeper corrective cycle. Ethereum remains sensitive to macro liquidity conditions, derivatives positioning, and overall crypto market sentiment, with recovery dependent on renewed spot demand and stabilization above key technical levels. Featured image from ChatGPT, chart from TradingView.com
Ethereum is attempting to stabilize after its recent pullback, but the recovery so far lacks convincing strength. With price rejecting key levels and higher-timeframe risks still looming, ETH finds itself at a critical decision point where the next structural move could define the short-term trend. No 5-Wave Breakout, No Confirmation For Ethereum Yet Ethereum continues to trade in a technically vulnerable zone. According to More Crypto Online, until the market prints a clear five-wave impulsive structure to the upside, or at a minimum breaks decisively above the weekend high, the probability of further downside under the outlined “orange scenario” remains elevated. Without that confirmation, the broader risk profile has not materially improved. Related Reading: Ethereum Libra Formation In Play: ETH’s Next Big Move Could Be Loading The bounce from last week’s low, while noticeable, still carries a weak and corrective appearance. Momentum has not expanded in a way that would typically signal the start of a sustainable bullish reversal. Instead, the structure so far suggests a potential counter-trend move within a larger bearish or sideways framework. That said, the current area on the chart is technically significant. Following the recent liquidation-driven decline, the price has reached a zone where markets often attempt to stabilize. Sharp flushes can sometimes mark exhaustion points, making it reasonable to stay alert for early reversal signals, particularly if sentiment has become overly pessimistic. However, as More Crypto Online emphasizes, anticipation is not confirmation. The micro-structure now becomes critical. Only a shift toward impulsive upside behavior or a clear break of key resistance levels would validate a meaningful low. $2,100 Rejection Signals Resistance Flip Charting the daily timeframe for Ethereum, Luca, a market expert and investor, noted that while price has managed to bounce on the lower timeframes, the recovery has already faced rejection at a key former support zone around $2,100, highlighted in purple. This level previously acted as support but was lost during the recent decline, turning it into resistance on the way back up. Related Reading: Ethereum Price Closes Sub-$2,000 Support As Crypto Rout Intensifies The inability to reclaim that range signals that upside momentum remains fragile. Until Ethereum can decisively flip the $2,100 area back into support, Luca believes the structure continues to favor caution rather than calling for a confirmed bottom. As a result, the more probable path in his view is a continuation lower toward the higher-timeframe support zone marked in green. That area aligns with the early-April bottoming formation and could provide a stronger foundation for a more sustainable bullish reversal attempt. Given this outlook, Luca explained that he is maintaining hedges on lower timeframes to manage downside exposure. Until clear strength emerges and key levels are reclaimed, protecting capital remains the priority. Featured image from Getty Images, chart from Tradingview.com
Ethereum is increasingly positioning itself at the intersection of blockchain and artificial intelligence (AI), with growing discussions around its potential to become the default network for AI development. As AI systems demand secure data verification, ETH’s programmable smart contracts and robust ecosystem offer a compelling foundation. Its ability to provide trustless execution, decentralized data markets, and verifiable computation could address some of the biggest challenges facing modern AI. Why Ethereum’s Cryptographic Advantage In AI Development Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has outlined a clear vision for positioning ETH as the leading platform for artificial intelligence development. According to BSCN’s recent post, Vitalik has argued on X that ETH should lead AI innovation rather than copying others by focusing on zero-knowledge (ZK) privacy payments and reputation systems. Related Reading: Vitalik Reframes Ethereum L2 Strategy as ETF Inflows Return and Mainnet Scaling Accelerates In response to comments from ETH’s AI leadership post, Vitalik urged developers to consider building a fundamentally better solution rather than merely rebranding existing concepts. Vitalik emphasized that developers should do something fundamentally better by combining technology improvement in ZK, a privacy-preserving payments system, and on-chain reputation. If executed correctly, this approach could position ETH as the default platform for next-generation AI development with meaningful technology improvements. Ethereum has taken a major step toward building the foundation for autonomous AI systems, with 13,000 AI agents registered on the network in a single day, followed by the launch of ERC-8004, which went live on mainnet. Crypto analyst Teng Yan noted that the new standard allows AI agents to establish portable on-chain identities and build verifiable trust layers. However, the surge was mostly coordinated bulk onboarding, and most of the newly registered AI agents have claimed identities but are not yet active, which is normal for early infrastructure development. The real signal will emerge as reputation updates that are climbing. Recursion As Both A Scaling Tool And A Security Risk The Ethereum Foundation is releasing detailed requirements for the zero-knowledge virtual machine (zkVM) architecture whitepaper, a document to be delivered in three milestones. The Founder of ABDK Consulting, Dmitry Khovratovich, emphasized that modern zkVMs are not monolithic circuits. Instead, they consist of multiple interconnected components, including segmentation, buses, memory structures, and recursion. Related Reading: SEAL and Ethereum Foundation Partner to Combat Wallet Drainers: Security-First Investors Switch to $BMIC Each component may be secure on its own, but the overall reliability of this system-level security depends on how they interact and function together. As a result, the whitepaper will address both architectural details and the broader security arguments supporting the recursive proof structure. The Ethereum Foundation expects the final version of the documentation to be completed by December 2026 alongside the release of zkVM proofs, which are projected to be approximately 300 kilobytes (KB) in size while maintaining a 128-bit provable security level. Featured image from Getty Images, chart from Tradingview.com
Ethereum whales have continued to accumulate despite the current downtrend in the ETH price, providing a bullish outlook for the second-largest crypto by market cap. Notably, ETH withdrawals from exchanges recently reached their highest level since October last year, totaling over $400 million. Ethereum Whales Accelerate Withdrawals From Exchanges Crypto analyst Arab Chain noted in a CryptoQuant analysis that rising Ethereum withdrawals from exchanges have reached their highest level since October. The analyst noted that the exchange netflow data over the past few days indicates a clear acceleration in withdrawal activity. This signals a shift in Ethereum whales’ behavior as demand outpaces supply. Related Reading: Can Ethereum Price Still Hit $7,600 In 2026? Here Are The Odds Arab Chain revealed that across all exchanges, the net Ethereum outflows have exceeded 220,000 ETH, marking the highest level of withdrawals since October last year. This suggests that Ethereum whales are moving their coins to private wallets or long-term storage protocols, a move that the analyst noted is often associated with accumulation phases or risk-reduction behavior. Notably, daily net outflows on Binance reached nearly 158,000 ETH on February 5, the largest since August last year. Arab Chain stated that this confirms that a substantial portion of the recent outflows has been concentrated on the exchange with the deepest liquidity. From a price perspective, the analyst noted that the Ethereum whale accumulation coincided with ETH trading near the $1,800 to $2,000 range. Therefore, these Ethereum whales may see these levels as attractive zones for holding or repositioning amid this crypto market downtrend. Arab Chain added that the continued outflow of ETH from exchanges at this scale reduces immediate selling pressure and could provide near-term support for the ETH price, especially if the market gains momentum again. Ethereum Staking Hits New High According to Token Terminal, Ethereum staking has surpassed 30% of the total supply, marking a new all-time high (ATH) in terms of staking ratio. Market commentator The Milk Road noted that this means that 36.8 million ETH, around $72 billion, is now locked up, with almost 1 million validators securing the network. Related Reading: Ethereum Price Set To Break Out Against Bitcoin, But How High Can It Go? The Milk Road further described this development as a sign of conviction in the Ethereum ecosystem, noting that these whales are willing to lock up $74 billion during a market downtrend. Notably, the staking exit queue is around 4.1 million ETH, which the market commentator remarked is nothing compared to what is currently staked. Interestingly, it also takes about 72 days to stake ETH at the moment, with staking demand at a new high. Meanwhile, the Milk Road also noted that the obvious impact is a significant supply restriction, which is a bullish catalyst for the ETH price. At the time of writing, the Ethereum price is trading at around $1,965, down in the last 24 hours, according to data from CoinMarketCap. Featured image from Pixabay, chart from Tradingview.com
ETHZilla unveiled a tokenized aviation asset, Eurus Aero Token I, offering accredited investors access to lease income from two commercial jet engines.
Ethereum has slipped below the key $2,000 level again, reflecting renewed selling pressure across the broader crypto market. The move places ETH back in a technically fragile zone, where sentiment tends to deteriorate quickly as traders reassess risk exposure and liquidity conditions tighten. Related Reading: Bitcoin Drop Wipes Billions From Recent Buyers: New Whale Cost Basis Falls Toward $90K A recent CryptoQuant report provides additional context by analyzing so-called “accumulating addresses,” a specific class of wallets designed to isolate long-term conviction holders. These addresses show no history of outflows, have received at least 100 ETH in their latest inflow, recorded multiple inbound transactions, maintain balances above 100 ETH, and have remained active over the past seven years while excluding exchanges, miners, and smart contract wallets. According to the report, these accumulation addresses now hold roughly 27 million ETH, representing about 23% of the circulating supply. This concentration suggests that a significant share of Ethereum remains in strong hands despite recent volatility. Still, persistent selling pressure below $2,000 highlights the market’s sensitivity to macro conditions, leverage dynamics, and shifting capital flows, leaving Ethereum at a critical inflection point in the near term. Whether buyers defend this area or allow further downside will likely shape sentiment, volatility expectations, and short-term positioning across the Ethereum derivatives and spot markets. Ethereum Trades Below Accumulating Address Realized Price Ethereum’s recent price action gains additional context from the same CryptoQuant analysis. It highlights how ETH is currently trading relative to the Realized Price of accumulating addresses. This metric reflects the average acquisition cost of long-term conviction holders — wallets that consistently receive ETH without distributing it back to the market. Historically, trading below this level has been rare and often associated with periods of elevated stress. According to the report, ETH has traded below the Realized Price of these accumulating addresses only twice over the past nine years. The first occurrence happened during the 2025 cycle low. A time when broad market weakness and liquidity contraction pushed prices into deep discount territory. The second instance has been unfolding since January 2026. Suggesting that current market conditions are again testing long-term holder cost bases. From a structural standpoint, this type of deviation can carry two interpretations. It may signal capitulation and undervaluation, where weak hands exit while stronger investors accumulate. Alternatively, prolonged trading below realized cost levels can reflect persistent macro headwinds, subdued demand, or leverage unwinds delaying recovery. Related Reading: Ethereum Holders Shift To Self-Custody As Market Consolidates Near $2K Price Action Showing Weakness Ethereum’s price action continues to show structural weakness on the weekly chart, with ETH recently losing the psychological $2,000 level after failing to hold above its key moving averages. The break below this zone places the price back under the mid-cycle support area that previously acted as both accumulation and breakout territory. ETH remains below the shorter-term weekly moving average. The longer-term trend lines appear to be flattening, reflecting slowing momentum rather than clear trend continuation. Volume patterns also suggest distribution, with recent selloffs accompanied by rising activity, typically associated with risk reduction and position unwinding. Related Reading: Ethereum Supply on Exchanges Mirrors 2016 Levels: What Happens Next? Historically, similar setups have preceded either extended consolidation phases or deeper corrective moves. It usually depends largely on broader liquidity conditions and macro risk appetite. If buyers fail to reclaim the $2,000 region quickly, downside targets could shift toward previous high-volume nodes near the $1,600–$1,700 range. Where historical demand previously emerged. Conversely, a decisive recovery above that level would improve sentiment. And would also suggest the recent move was primarily a leverage-driven flush rather than the start of a broader structural downtrend for Ethereum in this cycle. Until then, price action likely remains sensitive to macro liquidity shifts and derivatives market positioning dynamics overall. Featured image from ChatGPT, chart from TradingView.com
Ethereum ETF investors are sitting on a far uglier entry point than their bitcoin counterparts, according to Bloomberg Intelligence analyst James Seyffart, with spot ETH funds now absorbing a drawdown that has left many buyers deep underwater. “Ethereum ETF holders are sitting in a worse position than their Bitcoin ETF brethren,” Seyffart wrote on X late Tuesday. “The current ETH price of $2,000 is way below their average cost basis of ETF holders at about ~$3,500. It’s a painful proposition. But it’s one that Eth ETF holders have experienced already.” Seyffart added that the most recent ETH ETF trough pushed the drawdown “beyond 60%,” roughly matching the percentage decline ETH saw at its April 2025 low, framing the move as severe but not unprecedented for ether’s investor base. Related Reading: Ethereum Holders Shift To Self-Custody As Market Consolidates Near $2K Even so, he argued the investor response has been more stoic than the price action implies. “Still, the vast majority of buyers have stayed put,” he wrote, pointing to net inflows across the ETH ETF complex falling from roughly $15 billion to below $12 billion — a materially larger deterioration than bitcoin ETFs “on a relative basis,” but, in his words, “still fairly decent diamond hands in grand scheme (for now).” Fresh flow data suggests the bleeding has slowed, but not flipped decisively. SoSoValue data shows US spot ether ETFs took in about $13.82 million in net inflows on Feb. 10. That followed a week of net redemptions totaling roughly $166 million, extending a multi-week outflow streak. On a monthly basis, SoSoValue figures peg last month’s net flow at about $350 million in outflows. Cumulatively, total net assets are at $11.76 billion as of Feb.10. Goldman Sachs Is Bullish On Ethereum Against that backdrop, Goldman Sachs’ latest 13F disclosure added a different kind of signal: traditional finance’s exposure is increasingly visible, and not confined to bitcoin. On Tuesday, Goldman disclosed about $2.36 billion in crypto-related positions, including roughly $1.06 billion tied to spot bitcoin ETFs and about $1.0 billion to spot ether ETFs, alongside smaller exposures of about $153 million in XRP and $108 million in Solana — a roughly 0.33% allocation in the context of its broader holdings. Related Reading: Can Ethereum Price Still Hit $7,600 In 2026? Here Are The Odds The reactions on X leaned into the optics. Binance founder Changpeng “CZ” Zhao framed the filing as a positioning gap between crypto natives and banks: “Crypto is probably the only place you had an earlier start than the banks. But if you sold your crypto last quarter, while the banks are buying, then…” MoonRock Capital founder Simon Dedic focused on the ETH sizing itself: “Very interesting to see them holding almost as much ETH as Bitcoin. For a conservative investment bank that typically sticks to standard portfolio structures like market cap weighting, this speaks volumes on how they’re significantly more bullish on Ethereum than Bitcoin, which would normally be 4–6x larger in such portfolios. This is the institutional supercycle, and ETH is clearly the institutional darling.” At press time, ETH traded at $1,949. Featured image created with DALL.E, chart from TradingView.com
Thomas Lee, speaking on stage at Hong Kong Consensus 2026, said investors should be looking at opportunities as crypto is in the midst of a "mini winter."
The BitMine chairman said at Hong Kong Consensus 2026 that MrBeast acquiring neobank Step could win over a new generation of investors to crypto.
Ethereum is struggling to hold the $2,000 level as persistent selling pressure continues to weigh on the broader crypto market. Price action remains fragile, with volatility elevated and investor sentiment cautious following weeks of downside momentum across major digital assets. While the macro backdrop remains uncertain, recent on-chain data suggests that market positioning may be evolving beneath the surface rather than simply deteriorating. Related Reading: Ethereum Supply on Exchanges Mirrors 2016 Levels: What Happens Next? A recent CryptoQuant report highlights a notable shift in Ethereum exchange flows. Netflow data over the past several days shows a clear acceleration in withdrawals from centralized exchanges. This trend typically indicates that investors are moving assets into private wallets, staking platforms, or long-term storage solutions. Reducing the immediately available supply for spot selling. Such behavior can reflect either defensive positioning during volatility or early signs of accumulation. However, interpreting these flows requires caution. Exchange withdrawals alone do not automatically imply bullish conviction. As funds may also be repositioned within DeFi or collateralized for leveraged strategies. Still, the current pattern suggests that a portion of market participants is opting to reduce liquid exposure while Ethereum tests a critical psychological support zone, leaving the market at an important inflection point. Exchange Outflows Suggest Positioning Shift Across all major exchanges, net Ethereum outflows have surpassed 220,000 ETH, marking the largest wave of withdrawals since last October. This magnitude of movement typically reflects a meaningful shift in positioning, with investors transferring assets away from trading venues toward private wallets, custody solutions, or long-term storage protocols. Historically, such behavior has been associated either with accumulation phases or with precautionary risk reduction during periods of heightened volatility. Binance accounted for a significant portion of this activity. On February 5 alone, daily net outflows reached roughly -158,000 ETH. This is the largest withdrawal event on the platform since last August. Given Binance’s role as the deepest liquidity hub in the market, the concentration of withdrawals there suggests that institutional and high-volume participants may be actively adjusting exposure rather than retail-driven flows alone. These outflows occurred while Ethereum traded within the $1,800–$2,000 range, a zone many market participants appear to view as a potential repositioning area after the recent correction. Reduced exchange balances generally translate into lower immediately available sell-side supply, which can provide short-term structural support. However, sustained price stabilization will likely require confirmation through improving momentum, renewed capital inflows, and broader risk appetite across the crypto market. Related Reading: Ethereum Crash Below $2,000 Triggers Record Token Movement: Hinting At Capitulation Ethereum Tests Critical Support After Sharp Breakdown Ethereum is currently trading near the $2,000 level after a decisive breakdown from the $2,800–$3,000 consolidation range, confirming a shift toward a bearish market structure. The chart shows a clear rejection from the declining short-term moving average, followed by an accelerated sell-off that pushed price toward a major psychological support zone. This level has historically acted as both resistance and support, making its defense crucial for short-term stability. Volume expansion during the latest drop suggests forced selling rather than gradual distribution. This type of spike often reflects liquidation cascades, risk reduction from leveraged positions, or systematic portfolio rebalancing. However, elevated volume alone does not confirm a bottom; it only signals heightened market stress. Related Reading: Bitcoin At $65K: Market Cycle Indicator Points To Possible Bottom Zone From a trend perspective, Ethereum remains below all key moving averages, which are now sloping downward. This configuration typically indicates continuation risk unless price quickly reclaims the $2,400–$2,600 region. Failure to do so increases the probability of a deeper retracement toward the $1,600–$1,800 range, where previous accumulation occurred. Ethereum appears to be transitioning from corrective weakness into a structurally fragile phase, with market participants closely watching whether the $2,000 level holds or becomes resistance. Featured image from ChatGPT, chart from TradingView.com
The Robinhood Chain, built on Ethereum-based Arbitrum, aims to become key plumbing for around-the-clock trading and plugging tokenized stocks into DeFi.
Ethereum’s outlook for 2026 has become increasingly contested after the most recent downturn in the entire crypto market. Earlier this year, research from Standard Chartered suggested that Ethereum could end 2026 near $7,500, a target that implies significant upside from current levels. However, recent price action, with ETH languishing around $2,000 and lacking clear bullish momentum, puts such projections against a very different realistic outlook. Standard Chartered’s Ethereum Long-Term View In a January research note, Standard Chartered’s digital assets team trimmed its medium-term outlook for Ethereum while keeping a highly optimistic vision for the years ahead. The bank now sees ether closing 2026 near $7,500, down from an earlier forecast of around $12,000, and expects the asset to climb to $15,000 in 2027, $22,000 in 2028, and eventually $40,000 by the end of 2030. Related Reading: Ethereum Price Is Not Going To Keep Falling Forever, Analyst Says According to the note, the change is due to weak performance from Bitcoin dragging broader dollar-denominated crypto valuations, even as the bank pointed to Ethereum’s strengths in stablecoins, decentralized finance, and tokenized assets as positives to hold on to. In the research note, digital assets analyst Geoff Kendrick noted that 2026 is important not just for price but also for Ethereum’s performance relative to bitcoin. Therefore, the most important thing for gains is a rebound in the ETH/BTC ratio to levels last seen in 2021. The Odds – Current Price Action Against Bullish Case The path from roughly $2,000 to the mid-$7,000s looks very tough compared to what it was at the start of the year. This, in turn, has seen the odds of the Ethereum price reaching $7,500 reduce drastically. Ethereum started 2026 on a good foot, with a rally to $3,370 in the first two weeks of the year. Notably, it failed to sustain this rally and has since fallen by about 40% in the past 30 days. Related Reading: Analyst Says You’re Not Bullish Enough On Ethereum – What Does He Mean? As it stands, Ethereum is now trading around $2,000, and the price has repeatedly failed to close convincingly above the $2,100-$2,150 zone in recent sessions. Although the leading altcoin is now back to trading above $2,000 after a break below during last week’s sell-offs, bulls are yet to establish any control of price momentum. On-chain data also shows the transfer activity surrounding Ethereum is pointing to elevated stress conditions. Fortunately for bullish traders, it is still too early in the year to rule out the possibility of Ethereum trading at $7,500 in 2026. Several things would need to change for an outcome close to Standard Chartered’s 2026 estimate to become plausible. One of them is the return of demand and steady inflows into Spot Ethereum ETFs. At the time of writing, Ethereum is trading at $2,025. Right now, the cryptocurrency needs to clear the $2,150 resistance and hold above it in order to continue the steady push up. Featured image from Pxfuel, chart from Tradingview.com
In a post on X revisiting ideas he first outlined two years ago, the co-founder of Ethereum argues that the push toward artificial general intelligence often resembles the kind of unchecked speed and scale the blockchain was created to challenge.