Ethereum’s co-founder said the $43 million withdrawal will support a broader “full-stack openness and verifiability” vision as the foundation tightens spending.
U.S.-listed spot bitcoin and ether ETFs saw one of their worst combined outflow days of 2026 as falling prices, rising volatility and macro uncertainty pushed investors to cut exposure.
Ethereum has slipped below the $3,000 level, extending a period of fragile price action as the broader crypto market remains cautious. While spot prices continue to struggle with overhead resistance, on-chain data points to a notable divergence between market sentiment and long-term positioning. According to data from Arkham, Bitmine has staked an additional 250,912 ETH—worth roughly $745 million—over the past 18 hours, adding to an already substantial locked position. Related Reading: Ethereum Leverage Remains At Record High: What Happens Next? This move brings renewed attention to the behavior of large, well-capitalized players during periods of price weakness. Staking activity of this magnitude suggests that some participants are prioritizing yield generation and long-term exposure over short-term price fluctuations. Rather than distributing holdings into market rallies, these entities are choosing to remove supply from circulation, tightening liquid availability while accepting reduced flexibility. The contrast is notable. Ethereum’s price is trading below a key psychological threshold, yet capital continues to flow into staking contracts at scale. This dynamic highlights the growing structural role of Ethereum’s proof-of-stake model, where investment decisions are increasingly driven by network participation and cash-flow–like returns, not only price appreciation. As Ethereum consolidates below $3,000, the key question is whether sustained staking demand can offset weak spot momentum, or if price will need to stabilize further before confidence returns across the broader market. Large-Scale Staking Tightens Liquid Ethereum Supply According to data from Arkham, Bitmine has now staked a total of 2,582,963 ETH, valued at approximately $7.67 billion. This represents about 61% of its total Ethereum holdings, a level that underscores how aggressively large holders are committing capital to long-term network participation rather than maintaining liquid exposure. This behavior is particularly notable given the current market context. Ethereum remains below the $3,000 level, volatility is elevated, and leverage metrics suggest fragile positioning among short-term traders. Despite this, Bitmine’s decision to stake a majority of its ETH indicates a clear preference for yield generation and balance-sheet efficiency over tactical trading. Staking effectively removes ETH from active circulation, tightening the available supply and capping sell-side pressure from these large wallets. At the same time, Ethereum balances held on exchanges have continued to trend lower, reinforcing the picture of constrained liquid supply. While declining exchange balances do not guarantee upward price movement, they do suggest that fewer coins are readily available to meet sudden sell demand. In this environment, price action becomes more sensitive to marginal flows, particularly during periods of stress or renewed demand. The combination of large-scale staking and shrinking exchange reserves points to a market where long-term holders are locking in exposure. Even as short-term sentiment remains cautious. Whether this structural tightening of supply translates into price support will depend on broader risk conditions and the return of sustained spot demand. Related Reading: OKX Launches Crypto Payment Card Across the European Economic Area ETH Consolidates Below Key Moving Averages Ethereum’s price action reflects a market caught between weakening momentum and an attempt to stabilize after a prolonged correction. On the daily chart, ETH is trading near the $2,900–$3,000 zone, a level that has acted as both psychological support and a pivot area in recent weeks. The rejection from higher levels earlier in the quarter confirmed a clear sequence of lower highs, keeping the broader structure tilted to the downside. From a trend perspective, ETH remains below its key moving averages. The 50-day average has rolled over and sits above the price. Reinforcing short-term bearish pressure, while the 100-day average continues to slope downward. Acting as dynamic resistance near the $3,200–$3,300 area. The 200-day moving average is still rising but flattening. Is positioned higher and signals that long-term trend support has not yet been reclaimed. Until ETH can close decisively above the 50- and 100-day averages, upside attempts are likely to remain corrective rather than impulsive. Related Reading: Bitcoin Derivatives Pressure Hits 30-Day Extreme, Price Refuses To Break Volume dynamics add context to this consolidation. Selling pressure during the latest pullback was notable but not extreme, suggesting distribution rather than panic. Since then, volume has contracted, consistent with a market entering a compression phase. This points to indecision rather than aggressive accumulation. Overall, ETH is consolidating below major resistance while holding a fragile support band near $2,800–$2,900. A sustained loss of this zone would expose downside risk. While any recovery requires a reclaim of key moving averages to shift the structure toward stabilization. Featured image from ChatGPT, chart from TradingView.com
The rollout of Aero, targeted for the second quarter of 2026, will take direct aim at incumbents like Uniswap and Curve, the team told CoinDesk.
According to the report, $13.5 million will be allocated to security grants distributed through DAO-style mechanisms
Ethereum is attempting to reclaim the $3,000 level as the broader crypto market remains trapped in a phase of uncertainty and uneven conviction. Price action suggests buyers are willing to defend key support zones, yet momentum remains fragile, with rallies struggling to extend meaningfully. This hesitation is occurring against a backdrop of elevated leverage and unstable derivatives behavior, which continues to shape short-term market dynamics. Related Reading: XRP Derivatives Reset: Open Interest Drops Nearly 60% From July Peak A recent report from CryptoQuant highlights a growing source of risk beneath the surface. Ethereum’s Estimated Leverage Ratio on Binance remains at a record high, with the 7-day simple moving average holding around 0.632. This indicates a heavy concentration of leveraged positions, leaving the market increasingly sensitive to sudden price swings and liquidation events. In parallel, order-flow data points to erratic trader behavior, reinforcing the view that the current structure lacks balance. The Taker Buy Sell Ratio illustrates this instability clearly. On January 25, the metric fell to 0.86, its lowest reading since September, signaling strong taker sell dominance. Shortly after, it rebounded sharply to 1.16, the highest daily level since February 2021, reflecting aggressive market buying. Such abrupt reversals underscore a market driven more by short-term positioning than by sustained directional confidence. Ethereum Consolidates as High Leverage Amplifies Volatility Risk The report explains that this abrupt shift in taker behavior is unfolding while Ethereum price action remains structurally weak. After failing to break above the $4,800 all-time high, ETH entered a prolonged corrective phase and is now consolidating near the $2,800 support zone. This level has become a short-term pivot, repeatedly absorbing selling pressure but failing to generate sustained upside momentum. The lack of follow-through highlights a market caught between defensive buyers and aggressive short-term traders. What makes this phase particularly sensitive is the interaction between price compression and elevated leverage. With Ethereum’s Estimated Leverage Ratio still near record highs, even modest price moves can trigger outsized reactions in the derivatives market. Rapid reversals in the Taker Buy Sell Ratio reinforce this fragility, signaling that positioning is flipping quickly rather than building in a stable, directional manner. Such conditions often precede sharp expansions in volatility rather than orderly trends. Under this setup, Ethereum appears highly dependent on a clear external or internal catalyst. Without a decisive shift in macro conditions, spot demand, or network-specific developments, price action is likely to remain reactive. Until conviction emerges on either side, the combination of high leverage and unstable order flow keeps the risk of sudden liquidations elevated, increasing the probability of abrupt and disorderly price movements around key technical levels. Related Reading: Bitcoin Derivatives Pressure Hits 30-Day Extreme, Price Refuses To Break Price Action Details: Testing Critical Resistance Ethereum’s price action reflects a market caught between stabilization and unresolved downside risk. On the daily chart, ETH is trading near $3,000 after several failed attempts to reclaim higher levels, highlighting this zone as a key psychological and technical pivot. Price remains below the 50-day and 100-day moving averages, both of which are sloping downward, reinforcing the idea that short- to medium-term momentum is still fragile. The 200-day moving average sits higher, near the mid-$3,500 area, acting as a clear marker of the broader trend deterioration since ETH failed to hold above $4,000. Related Reading: Bitcoin Breaks Below $87K As Political Risk Spikes – Liquidations Reveal The Real Driver ETH has transitioned from a strong impulsive uptrend into a wide consolidation range, bounded roughly between $2,800 and $3,400. The recent bounce from the lower end of this range suggests that buyers are still defending the $2,800 support zone, but volume remains muted compared to prior selloffs, indicating a lack of strong conviction on either side. Each rally attempt has so far produced lower highs, consistent with a corrective or distributional phase rather than a renewed trend. As long as ETH holds above $2,800, the market can argue for consolidation and base-building. However, a sustained break below that level would expose the downside toward the $2,500–$2,600 region. Conversely, reclaiming the $3,300–$3,400 area would be required to meaningfully improve the technical outlook. Featured image from ChatGPT, chart from TradingView.com
This follows its October 2025 $450 million token sale that was heavily oversubscribed.
Plus: Solana’s latest phase, OP token buybacks and EF post-quantum security team.
The Bitcoin and Ethereum prices rallied after reports of the US dollar crashing spread across the market. Recent data show that the US dollar has fallen to its lowest level in four years, raising concerns about the strength of the world’s dominant reserve currency. As the dollar weakens, market players are beginning to shift attention to alternative assets such as precious metals and digital currencies, including BTC, which is increasingly viewed as a potential hedge against rising inflation and currency depreciation. US Dollar Falls To Lows Not Seen In 4 Years New reports from Bloomberg highlight the relentless slide in the US dollar index (DXY) over recent weeks, with the price tumbling further after President Donald Trump’s comments on the currency’s performance. Sources reveal that Trump said the dollar is “doing great,” despite its ongoing downturn. Related Reading: Analyst Says Chainlink Price Could Crash 50% If This Level Fails Traders interpreted the President’s seemingly indifferent response to the declining dollar as a signal that the slide could continue, triggering further selling pressure. Data from the web-based stock market research platform Finviz shows that, as of writing, the US dollar index has crashed to 95.92 from a previous level near 100. This marks its weakest level in nearly four years, specifically since 2022. Additionally, Bloomberg reported that its Dollar Spot Index also recorded its lowest four-day decline since Trump announced new tariffs in April 2025. Traders in the $9.5 trillion per-day currency markets are also increasingly betting that the dollar could decline further, as US policy risks weigh on the world’s primary reserve currency. Amidst the decline in the US dollar index, cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum are posting gains. BTC’s price rose above $89,000, while Ethereum has climbed more than 3% to reach above $3,000, in the past 24 hours. This simultaneous rally in cryptocurrencies alongside the weakening US dollar suggests that investors may be shifting capital to risk-on assets. Market analyst ‘Master of Crypto’ recently outlined several reasons behind the continued decline in the weakening US dollar in a post on X. He explained that large budget deficits, the FED’s challenge of balancing inflation control with job market stability, steady bond supply, and FX hedging activities are keeping the US dollar near recent lows. According to him, in this type of market environment, holding idle cash becomes a significant risk for investors. Related Reading: Here’s How Much XRP Ripple Execs Have Dumped So Far Possible Implications For The Bitcoin And Ethereum Price Historically, periods of US dollar weakness have often coincided with rallies in Bitcoin, and other cryptocurrencies. When the dollar declines, investors sometimes seek alternative assets to preserve value. This can increase demand for Bitcoin and Ethereum, which are viewed by many as alternative stores of value and risk-on assets. While this correlation is not a clear indication of a potential cryptocurrency rally, analysts like ‘Milk Road Macro’ suggest that the declining dollar could help support a broader crypto market recovery. He said that as the dollar weakens, capital will flow into precious metals like gold and silver. Soon after, this same capital is expected to rotate into BTC, potentially fueling a price rebound. Featured image created with Dall.E, chart from Tradingview.com
The Ethereum price has struggled to regain momentum amid a persistent downtrend. After closing the last four months in the red, the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency is showing no signs of relief in January 2026. On-chain data shows that Ethereum’s current trajectory mirrors past cycle downturns, raising the possibility of further price declines and prolonged bearish sentiment. Ethereum Price Nears Fifth Consecutive Month Of Losses Ethereum has been in a prolonged slump, marking its fourth straight month of losses in 2025. As the market navigates the final week of January, the cryptocurrency is poised to potentially close a fifth consecutive month in the red, a streak that would reinforce the ongoing bearish trend. Related Reading: Analyst Says You’re Not Bullish Enough On Ethereum – What Does He Mean? On-chain data from CryptoRank shows that throughout 2025, Ethereum saw more red months than green ones. The cryptocurrency began the year with four consecutive months of decline from January to April, followed by a brief recovery in May, only to fall again in June. After this, ETH posted two months of gains, finishing July and August in the green. However, this recovery was short-lived, and since then, the cryptocurrency has been in a downtrend. During its most recent four-month decline, CryptoRanks reported that Ethereum closed September down by 5.59%. The downtrend accelerated at the end of November, with the cryptocurrency crashing by 22.2%, more than four times the decline of the previous monthly close. December 2025 saw another month in the red, though the drop was much smaller, at just 0.83%. Now, in January 2026, Ethereum is still in a downtrend. On-chain data indicates the cryptocurrency has already fallen 1.78% this month, and shows no sure signs of a bullish reversal. Moreover, at the time of writing, ETH is trading above $2,900, reflecting a roughly 5.95% decline over the past week. What A Red January Could Mean For ETH The last time Ethereum closed five consecutive months in the red was in 2018. That year, Ethereum significantly underperformed, recording gains in only 3 of 12 months. The cryptocurrency had posted continuous monthly losses, with November marking its steepest monthly decline at 42.5%. Related Reading: Ethereum Funding Rates Pushing Towards Negative: What’s Going On? After the four-month closing streak, Ethereum’s downtrend persisted for another two months before experiencing a sharp but brief recovery in December 2018. Despite this temporary rebound, the cryptocurrency closed January 2019 in the red, falling 20%. If history were to repeat itself in the current cycle, Ethereum could end January in a decline, similar to its 2018 performance. Interestingly, historical data shows that February has often been a bullish month for ETH. However, 2025 has seen declines from January through to April; it’s uncertain if Ethereum will follow past bullish patterns. For now, what is certain is that ETH’s price is down and would need a significant boost in its bullish momentum. Featured image from iStock, chart from Tradingview.com
The second-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, Ethereum, appears to have quietly crossed an important critical threshold that has historically signaled major price expansions. While the Ethereum price action may still appear calm on the surface, underlying market structure and flow dynamics suggest a meaningful shift is underway. This type of transition typically occurs when accumulation replaces distribution, volatility compresses, and smart money positions ahead of broader market recognition. A Silent Shift That Usually Comes Before Violent Expansion Ethereum just crossed a quiet but massive threshold. Trader and investor Shuarix has mentioned on X that Zama has gone live with the first fully encrypted Initial Coin Offering (ICO) ever executed on the ETH mainnet, moving a confidential USDT and running a sealed-bid Dutch auction entirely on encrypted data. Related Reading: Ethereum Gains Institutional Support, Though ETH Price Outlook Remains Contested In just 3 days, more than $118 million was committed, over $100 million was shielded, and the auction was 218% oversubscribed with more than 11,000 verified bidders. At peak activity, the Zama application became the most-used app on ETH, surpassing both USDT and Uniswap during the event, with zero downtime and full ETH-level throughout. Crypto analyst Milk Road revealed that BitMine Immersion Technologies has made a large purchase of 40,302 ETH in a single move, which brings their total stack holdings to a massive 4,243,338 ETH, worth over $12.3 billion at the current price. In perspective, the company now controls 3.52% of the entire ETH circulating supply, and they’re not just letting it sit idle. According to Milk Road, BitMine has over 2 million ETH tokens already staked, generating $180 million in annualized rewards. This means the company is not just playing the buy-and-hold game, but compounding its position at scale, which is all well and good for BitMine. Meanwhile, this sustained buying pressure will help create a price floor for the long-term ETH holders. Furthermore, this move is the type of institutional accumulation that will keep ETH moving inside its ascending channel. Thus, this will help to pull the price back into that channel after the macro shocks temporarily push it out. “Below is the 2025 tariff shock. While the headlines try to muddy your view of things, this chart will tell the real story,” Milk Road noted. Accumulation Continues Despite Price Being Near Entry Levels The realized price of the Ethereum accumulation address is acting as a major support level. A crypto investor known as CW has also pointed out that ETH has only reached this realized price once in history, which is very similar to the current price range. Related Reading: Ethereum Stalls In A Critical Zone As Breakout Structures Wait For Confirmation However, the whale’s purchase price for ETH is not significantly different from the current price. Despite that, their ETH accumulation is increasing, indicating that whales still view the current price as fair value. This shows that they are preparing for an upward trend. Featured image from Adobe Stock, chart from Tradingview.com
Polymarket has launched new prediction markets tied to Volmex's bitcoin and ether 30-day implied volatility indices.
Ethereum saw a sharp breakdown below the $2,800 level before quickly bouncing and attempting to reclaim $2,900, but the recovery still looks fragile. The sudden dip exposed how thin demand has become at key support zones, and while buyers are trying to stabilize the price, momentum remains weak. With volatility rising and sentiment turning defensive, Ethereum is entering a pivotal stretch where the next few weeks could define the broader trend for 2026. Bulls need to reclaim lost ground quickly, but repeated failures to hold higher levels suggest the market is still vulnerable to deeper downside if support breaks again. Related Reading: Bitcoin Indicator Falls Back To Post-Bear Market Levels: Investors Approach A Key Decision Point Adding to the pressure, a key US institutional demand proxy is flashing a warning sign. The 30-day simple moving average (SMA30) of the Ethereum Coinbase Premium Index has dropped to −0.08, reaching its lowest level since early 2023. This index tracks the pricing gap between Ethereum’s USD pair on Coinbase and the USDT pair on Binance, and deep negative readings typically indicate ETH is trading at a discount on Coinbase—often interpreted as weaker demand from US-based institutional buyers. This divergence matters because positive Coinbase premiums historically support sustained upside trends in Ethereum. With that premium now at a multi-year low, ETH’s attempt to recover above $2,900 is happening without strong confirmation from US “smart money,” increasing uncertainty around the next move. Coinbase Premium Hits Multi-Year Low A CryptoQuant report highlights a key warning signal for Ethereum: the Coinbase Premium Index, which measures the price gap between ETH/USD on Coinbase and ETH/USDT on Binance. Because Coinbase is widely viewed as a proxy for US institutional activity, a deeply negative premium typically indicates ETH is trading at a discount where “smart money” is most active, while Binance—often driven by global retail and whale flow—holds relatively stronger pricing. In practical terms, this spread helps reveal where demand is coming from and whether capital flows are supportive of a sustained trend. The current downside in the premium suggests a clear lack of buying pressure from US institutions. Even if global markets on Binance are stabilizing Ethereum’s price in the short term, the absence of American demand creates a bearish divergence. This matters because positive premiums underpin major ETH rallies; they signal the US-based accumulation and deep spot demand that drive price extensions. Without that backing, rallies are more likely to fade, and rebounds can become vulnerable to renewed selling pressure. The report flags this historic premium low as a warning: despite global resilience, the market lacks the US momentum that typically fuels a strong, immediate reversal. For bulls, the priority is not only reclaiming key price levels, but also seeing confirmation through premium recovery. Related Reading: Bitcoin Stuck In Bear Mode For 83 Days: Trend Pulse Confirms Structural Weakness Ethereum Attempts To Stabilize After Sharp Breakdown Ethereum is trading near $2,897 after a sharp breakdown below $2,800 that quickly reversed, allowing price to rebound back toward the $2,900 area. While the bounce suggests buyers are still defending the lower end of the current range, the overall structure remains weak. ETH has been trending lower from its late-2025 highs, and recent recovery attempts continue to fade before triggering a sustained reversal. Technically, Ethereum is still trading below its key trend averages, which keeps pressure on bulls. The 50-period moving average (blue) is positioned above the price and is beginning to roll over, signaling weakening short-term momentum. Related Reading: XRP Distribution Phase Continues, But Funding Rates Suggest Shorts Are Overextended The 100-period moving average (green) is also above current levels and sloping downward. This reinforces that traders are selling into rallies rather than following them with fresh demand. Together, these moving average bands have become a clear resistance zone that ETH must reclaim to shift the trend back in favor of buyers. At the same time, the 200-period moving average (red) remains below the price and continues to rise gradually, acting as a long-term structural support reference. As long as ETH holds above this curve, the move looks more like a corrective phase than a full macro breakdown. For bulls, the immediate objective is reclaiming $3,000, then pushing toward $3,150–$3,250 to challenge the 50/100 MA zone. If ETH fails to stabilize, downside risk remains open toward $2,750–$2,800. Featured image from ChatGPT, chart from TradingView.com
SharpLink CEO Joseph Chalom argues that macro uncertainty is hiding a massive institutional shift toward Ethereum-based tokenization.
Ethereum remains under pressure in a key support zone, teetering between a potential rebound and further decline. While bullish patterns like the cup-and-handle and ascending triangle are shaping up, confirmation is required before any decisive move. Last Defense Zone: $2,274–$2,104 And The Libra Reversal Setup Kamile Uray shared that Ethereum is currently trying to hold above the critical support zone between $2,775 and $2,623. This area has become a key battleground for bulls and bears, with buyers attempting to defend it to prevent further downside. If this support continues to hold, ETH could regain short-term stability and make another attempt to move higher. Related Reading: Ethereum Loses Structure After $3,220 Rejection — Is This Distribution Or Just The First Crack? On the upside, a sustained bounce from this zone could allow Ethereum to revisit the pink box resistance around the $3,445 level. A clean breakout above this resistance would activate bullish structures such as a cup-and-handle or an ascending triangle, signaling growing bullish momentum and opening the path toward the $3,894 level. However, this becomes possible if ETH manages to close above the $3,661 peak, confirming the formation of the first major high. The $3,894 level carries technical significance, as it represents the 0.618 Fibonacci retracement of the most recent downward wave. A decisive close above this level would suggest continuation of the recovery. Failure to hold above it, however, could trigger renewed selling pressure and lead to another corrective move lower. On the downside, if Ethereum loses the $2,623 support, a deeper decline toward the pink box zone between $2,274 and $2,104 would become likely. This area is notable for the potential formation of a bullish Libra pattern. Should reversal confirmation emerge from this zone, ETH could attempt another recovery phase, with the broader objective of retesting its previous highs. Waiting For Confirmation: ETH’s Next Move Depends On Price Action Ethereum is currently following the trajectory outlined by Crypto Candy in a recent update on X. As predicted, the asset dipped into the lower support range between $2,600 and $2,700 and is now attempting to stage a recovery from the zone. Should this upward momentum persist, the immediate objective for bulls is a return to the $3,070 level. Related Reading: Ethereum Poised For $4,000 Breakout? Expert Pinpoints On-Chain Triggers For Potential Rally However, for Ethereum to firmly re-enter bullish territory and shift the broader market structure, it must close decisively above the $3,070 threshold. This level serves as the primary gateway for any sustained recovery beyond the current relief rally. Until that breakout occurs, the prevailing market bias remains firmly bearish, as the failure to reclaim and hold above $3,070 suggests that the path of least resistance is still to the downside, with lower price points remaining the primary expectation for the short term. Featured image from Pexels, chart from Tradingview.com
The crypto treasury firm added over 40,000 ETH last week and has now staked over 2 million tokens.
ETHZilla is betting on bringing real-world assets on blockchain rails after it sold at least $114.5 million of its ETH stash over the past months.
Recent remarks from BlackRock CEO Larry Fink have pointed toward the need for a single, unified blockchain for tokenized markets, and have intensified the focus on platforms capable of handling institutional-scale liquidity, compliance, and settlement. With its long track record in smart contracts, extensive developer ecosystem, and growing role in regulated financial products, Ethereum is now emerging as the most likely candidate to serve as the settlement layer for tokenized capital markets. Why Asset Managers Prefer Familiar Infrastructure In an X post, the Ethereum Daily shared a video in which BlackRock CEO Larry Fink made it clear that tokenization is necessary. Speaking at the World Economic Forum, Fink said the financial system must move rapidly toward digitization, adding that a single, common blockchain could reduce corruption and improve transparency across the global markets. Related Reading: Ethereum Gains Institutional Support, Though ETH Price Outlook Remains Contested While Fink did not name a specific network, the most plausible candidate could be ETH, based on BlackRock’s own initiatives and public statements that emphasized the role of ETH in asset tokenization. The firm has consistently highlighted ETH as a core platform for its on-chain strategy. Meanwhile, BlackRock launched its BUIDL tokenized money market fund directly on ETH, a product that has already grown to over $2 billion in total value locked. “There’s no second best,” Ethereum Daily noted. In the staking space, Bitmine has turned Ethereum staking into a multi-billion-dollar business. An analyst known as Milk Road has revealed that the company now has 1.83 million ETH staked, worth roughly $6 million at current prices, and plans to scale that figure toward 4.2 million ETH over time. Over the past months, Bitmine Immersion Technologies Inc. (BMNR) has accounted for nearly 50% of all new ETH entering the staking queue. Staking at this scale is important because it removes ETH from the liquid supply and locks it into long-term infrastructure rather than keeping it for short-term trading. When one player is willing to commit billions of dollars worth of ETH to staking, it reflects confidence in ETH’s future economic prospects. A lower liquid supply, combined with sustained network demand, will create structural pressure over time. How Support Built Through Multiple Market Cycles Analyst Milk Road has also highlighted that Ethereum is holding near a critical support zone around $3,000, hovering just above the lower boundary of its long-term rising structure, an area that has acted as a stress test for ETH throughout the cycle. Historically, when ETH drifts into this area, the market will need to decide whether the weakness is temporary or structural. Related Reading: Ethereum Maintains Structural Strength Despite Resistance Near $3,400 The $2,750 level remains the key line because it has repeatedly stopped downside pressure after macro-driven or narrative-driven pullbacks, making it a reliable floor for the broader trend. As long as ETH holds above that level, the broader multi-year uptrend will remain intact. Featured image from iStock, chart from Tradingview.com
Ethereum is currently trading under pressure after failing to push above the $3,000 level again over the past 24 hours, a move that is reflecting trader sentiment across the derivatives markets. ETH is currently trading at $2,925, down 2.7% on the day, after moving within a 24-hour range capped at $3,012.99 and finding lows around $2,909.60, according to price data from CoinGecko. As price action weakens, a notable change has been developing, with on-chain data showing funding rates drifting toward negative territory and derivative positioning beginning to tilt more defensively. Funding Rates Slide As Shorts Gain Ground Ethereum’s failure to hold above $3,000 is an important psychological break for traders, especially after several failed attempts to hold above that level in January. Price action over the past week shows sellers maintaining control after ETH rejected around $3,360 on January 18, followed by a steady push lower toward the high-$2,900s. Related Reading: The Ethereum MACD Crossover That Could Lead To A Massive Bull Wave Although the pullback has so far been orderly above $2,900, this decline has come alongside fading momentum across the derivatives market. One of the clearest signals for this can be seen in Ethereum’s OI-weighted funding rate, which has been steadily compressing and is now edging toward negative levels. At the time of writing, Ethereum’s OI-weighted is at 0.0008%, close to breaking into negative territory and far below readings around 0.009%, which it registered earlier in the month. Funding rates turning negative typically indicate that short positions are paying longs, meaning stronger demand for downside exposure. Funding spikes that previously accompanied the price rebound in early January have faded, and the overall trend suggests bearish positioning is slowly gaining the upper hand. Open Interest, Liquidations, And What’s Next Although Ethereum’s price action fell below $3,000, derivatives traders have stayed in the market, keeping total open interest at high levels. Data from CoinGlass shows aggregate Ethereum open interest increasing by 0.68% in the past 24 hours, which shows that many traders are not exiting Ethereum entirely. At the time of writing, the total open interest is sitting at about 13.36 million ETH, equivalent to roughly $39.19 billion. Related Reading: Ethereum’s 4-Hour Chart Says A Big Dump Is Coming, Here’s The Target Looking across major exchanges, Binance has the largest share of ETH open interest, accounting for about $8.95 billion, but it is down by 0.8% in the past 24 hours. CME follows with approximately $5.73 billion in open interest, up by 3.72% in the past 24 hours. Gate comes next at around $4.01 billion, while MEXC comes in close at $3.51 billion worth of ETH open interest. Over the past 24 hours, Ethereum liquidations totaled $64.34 million, with long positions ($52.52 million) accounting for the majority of losses. A hold above $2,900 could allow Ethereum’s funding rates to normalize and open the door for another rebound attempt to $3,000. However, a continued fall in funding rates into negative territory could see bearish control pushing Ethereum below $2,900. Featured image from Pexels, chart from Tradingview.com
Increasing transaction activity on Ethereum and Tom Lee's continued buying bode well for the crypto, which has tumbled from 2026 highs in recent days, said Geoff Kendrick.
Ethereum’s daily active addresses climbed above major layer-2 networks in January as lower fees revived on-chain activity.
As the crypto market faces uncertainty and continues in a consolidation phase, market expert Sam Daodu has issued a report examining the potential for XRP, Ethereum (ETH), and Solana (SOL) to emerge as frontrunners if a new altcoin season arises in 2026. XRP, ETH, And SOL Price Forecasts Daodu began his analysis by pointing out that Bitcoin’s (BTC) dominance is currently hovering around 59%, alongside an Altcoin Season Index reading of 55. These indicators suggest that 2026 could herald a substantial rotation towards altcoins, mirroring significant shifts experienced during cycles in 2016-2017 and 2020-2021. The expert outlines several bullish scenarios for each. For XRP, he envisions a potential surge past the $6-$8 range if exchange-traded fund (ETF) inflows maintain a monthly average exceeding $400 million and RippleNet continues to expand its influence in global banking. Related Reading: ‘I’m Very Bullish’: Ripple CEO Forecasts Record Performance For Crypto In 2026 ETH, on the other hand, could see itself climbing toward $12,000-$18,000 if Layer 2 (L2) adoption unlocks broader usage and ETF inflows rebound. Daodu highlights that active addresses are at cycle highs, indicating organic demand that may translate to higher prices once institutional sentiment shifts positively. For SOL, the outlook is similarly optimistic. Solana might rocket to the range of $500-$800 if its transaction finality of 150 milliseconds and low fees attract a new wave of applications. Additionally, the rise in ETF filings could lead to significant capital inflows. Potential Risks Ahead In more stable scenarios, Daodu suggests that XRP might consolidate between $2.50-$3.50 if institutional adoption progresses steadily without dramatic catalysts. He also speculates that Ethereum could trade within the range of $5,000-$9,000, benefiting from consistent demand driven by staking yields and decentralized finance (DeFi) growth. Meanwhile, Solana might trend between $200-$350, assuming that developer growth and retail adoption continue at their current pace without major breakthroughs. However, Daodu cautions that XRP could fall below $1.50 if demand for ETFs wanes or if regulatory uncertainties arise. Similarly, ETH could fall below $2,500 if scalability issues arise or if regulatory challenges become more pronounced. SOL could drop below $100 if outages persist or if it faces increased competition from other Layer 1 platforms. What AI Models Anticipate AI predictions provide additional insight into the expected performance of these altcoins. For XRP, forecasts vary significantly, with ChatGPT estimating a range of $0.80-$3.00, while Grok presents a more bullish outlook with a target of $1.50-$6.00. Related Reading: Crypto Boom Ahead? Pantera Capital Pinpoints Major Catalysts For 2026 Success Ethereum’s AI predictions show a range of $3,000-$9,000 from ChatGPT, while Gemini anticipates a high of $7,000-$18,000 through increased tokenization. Lastly, Solana’s predictions range from $120-$350 from ChatGPT to a more optimistic $300-$800 from Gemini, depending on the growth of consumer applications. XRP was trading at $1.93 at the time of writing, down 2% in the previous 24 hours. ETH traded at roughly $2,952, while SOL traded at $128, both experiencing comparable declines during the same time period. Featured image from DALL-E, chart from TradingView.com
The asset manager said bitcoin’s institutional adoption and asset tokenization are pushing digital assets toward scale, potentially reaching tens of trillions by decade’s end.
A record surge in activity on the Ethereum network is likely being driven by scam-related behavior rather than genuine user growth, according to the bank's analysts.
The Fusaka upgrade raised usage, but pressure from layer-2 networks and rival blockchains continues to cloud Ethereum's long-term growth outlook.
Nearly equal losses across long and short positions showed traders were wrong-footed as crypto prices swung violently within hours.
Ethereum has slipped below the $3,000 level again as selling pressure returns across the broader crypto market, keeping bulls on the defensive after a brief recovery attempt. The move back under this psychological zone suggests that traders remain cautious, with downside volatility re-emerging as risk appetite fades and liquidity thins near key support levels. Related Reading: Binance Order Flow Suggests Ethereum Is In Correction Mode: Demand Still Missing However, while price action looks heavy in the short term, on-chain data is flashing a different signal beneath the surface. According to Arab Chain, Ethereum reserves held across centralized exchanges have dropped to around 16.2 million ETH, marking their lowest level since 2016. That milestone matters because it highlights a steady, long-duration trend of withdrawals rather than a sudden one-off event. In practical terms, fewer coins sitting on exchanges typically means less immediate supply available for spot selling, especially during periods of market stress. This behavior can reflect a shift away from short-term trading and toward longer-term holding, self-custody, or deployment in DeFi. Ethereum remains vulnerable as price struggles below $3,000. Still, the persistent reserve decline suggests that supply conditions may be tightening in the background, setting the stage for a sharper reaction if demand returns. Binance Reserves Keep Falling The CryptoQuant analysis also points to a similar reserve drawdown on Binance, reinforcing the broader exchange supply contraction narrative. Since the beginning of 2026, Binance’s Ethereum reserves have dropped from roughly 4.168 million ETH to around 4.0 million ETH, signaling steady withdrawals even as the price remains under pressure. This matters because Binance is often the main liquidity hub for ETH spot and derivatives, so shifts in its reserve balance can reflect real changes in market positioning. What stands out is that this decline is happening without a meaningful rebound in inflows. In other words, ETH is not rotating back onto exchanges aggressively, suggesting sellers are not rushing to increase liquid supply at current levels. That dynamic typically aligns with a market where investors prefer holding behavior over active distribution. Either moving ETH to cold storage or deploying it across DeFi. While reserves falling does not guarantee an immediate rally, it can change the supply-demand equation over time. With fewer coins sitting on exchanges, the market becomes more reactive if demand returns suddenly, as there is less readily available ETH to absorb buy pressure. If Ethereum manages to reclaim key resistance levels, this supply tightening could amplify upside follow-through. Related Reading: XRP Leverage Builds Without Overheating: Open Interest Climbs And Volatility Spikes Ethereum Loses $3,000 as Bears Regain Control Ethereum is showing renewed weakness after failing to hold above the key $3,000 level, with price now hovering near $2,970 on the daily chart. After briefly stabilizing earlier this month, ETH attempted a rebound toward the $3,300–$3,400 supply zone. But momentum faded quickly as sellers stepped back in and pushed the market lower. From a technical perspective, Ethereum remains trapped below its major moving averages, reinforcing the bearish structure. The recent rejection near the descending trend of the 200-day average signals that upside attempts are still being capped by overhead resistance. Keeping bulls on the defensive. At the same time, the breakdown below $3,000 shifts market sentiment back into risk-off mode. Especially as crypto traders remain sensitive to broader macro uncertainty. Related Reading: Trade War Headlines Trigger $800M In Liquidations Overnight: Longs Get Wiped Out Across Crypto Markets The current price action also reflects a fragile recovery attempt rather than a confirmed reversal. ETH’s latest drop places focus on the $2,850–$2,900 region as the next support area. An area where buyers previously stepped in during earlier selloffs. If this zone fails to hold, the market could revisit deeper levels from the previous correction phase. For bulls to regain control, Ethereum must reclaim $3,000 quickly and build stronger demand above that threshold.
Ethereum has taken a sharp turn after facing a firm rejection at the $3,220 level, with price breaking structure and slipping into a weaker posture. The speed of the drop and lack of strong buying interest raise an important question for traders: Is this merely an early warning sign within a broader uptrend, or the start of a deeper distribution phase that could pressure ETH further in the near term? Rejection At $3,220 Signals Distribution, Not A Shakeout Crypto analyst PEPE is Friend highlighted that Ethereum’s sharp rejection at the $3,220 level was deliberate rather than random. The drop was clean, with key structure breaking down, selling pressure accelerating, and price quickly flushing toward the $3,106 area, aligning with a classic distribution behavior rather than a simple shakeout. Related Reading: Ethereum Poised For $4,000 Breakout? Expert Pinpoints On-Chain Triggers For Potential Rally Assessing the current price reaction, there are still no signs of a true reversal. The bounce has been notably weak, trading volume remains thin, and buyers have yet to show a strong commitment. Instead of signaling renewed bullish momentum, the move higher appears to be a technical pullback within a broader weakening structure. The key technical zone remains well-defined. ETH is trading below the former support band between $3,170 and $3,200. As long as the price stays below this range, any upside move is likely to be viewed as a selling opportunity rather than the start of a sustained recovery. When this price action is viewed alongside Ethereum spot ETF data, the picture becomes clearer. While ETF flows remain positive daily, they lack strong momentum or a standout confirmation day. Capital appears to be absorbed rather than aggressively deployed, suggesting institutional demand is not yet strong enough to drive a decisive breakout. Until that changes, sellers are expected to remain in control below the $3,170–$3,200 resistance zone. Ethereum Slips Below $3,062 As Bears Regain Short-Term Control In an X post, Kamile Uray noted that Ethereum has closed below the $3,062 level, shifting attention toward the next major downside zone at $2,623. This level is now critical, as holding above it could allow ETH to stabilize and attempt another recovery move. Related Reading: Ethereum Maintains Structural Strength Despite Resistance Near $3,400 On the upside, a clean break above the pink-box resistance near $3,445 would activate bullish formations such as a cup-and-handle or an ascending triangle, opening the door for a move toward the $3,894 area. Further strength would be confirmed if ETH manages to close above the $3,661 high, which would mark the first higher high on the daily chart relative to the previous downtrend, improving the bullish outlook. Still, $3,894 remains a key level, as it aligns with the 0.618 Fibonacci retracement of the last decline. On the downside, a clear break below the $2,623 low would expose ETH to deeper losses, with the $2,274–$2,104 zone emerging as the next major support area. This region hosts a potential bullish “Libra” reversal setup, and Ethereum could once again attempt a bounce toward its previous all-time high if reversal confirmation appears there. Featured image from iStock, chart from Tradingview.com
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The aim is to make staking more resilient while dramatically reducing technical complexity for large ETH holders.