ETH Price Prediction: Navigating Bearish Signals and Whale Confidence

#ETH

• Technical Pressure: ETH is trading below key moving averages with bearish MACD momentum, suggesting near-term resistance at $3,071.
• Whale Accumulation vs. Network Slowdown: Large-scale buying by whales indicates strong long-term conviction, but declining active addresses poses a fundamental concern.
• Institutional Catalyst: JPMorgan's Ethereum-based fund launch provides a tangible use-case boost, potentially attracting more institutional flow.

ETH Price Prediction

Technical Analysis: ETH Shows Bearish Signals Amid Consolidation

According to BTCC financial analyst Sophia, Ethereum's technical indicators currently paint a cautious picture. The price of ETH at $2,925 is trading below its 20-day moving average of $3,071, indicating a short-term bearish trend. The MACD reading of -22.34 confirms negative momentum, with the signal line below the MACD line. Furthermore, the price is hovering NEAR the lower Bollinger Band at $2,822, suggesting it is in an oversold territory relative to recent volatility. The middle band at $3,071 and upper band at $3,319 act as immediate resistance levels. Sophia notes that a sustained break above the 20-day MA could signal a potential reversal, while failure to hold above the lower band may lead to further downside.

Market Sentiment: Mixed Signals Amid Whale Accumulation and Network Slowdown

BTCC financial analyst Sophia interprets the current news flow as presenting a dichotomy for Ethereum. On one hand, significant whale activity—with one entity accumulating $119 million and another doubling down on purchases—suggests strong institutional or high-net-worth investor confidence during price dips, a typically bullish signal. The launch of JPMorgan's Ethereum-based tokenized fund also underscores growing institutional adoption. Conversely, the cooling network activity, marked by a 7-month low in active addresses, points to declining retail engagement or utility, which could pressure prices. The controversy around celebrity endorsements adds a LAYER of reputational caution. Sophia believes the net sentiment leans cautiously optimistic, as large-scale accumulation often precedes price recoveries, but warns that weak network fundamentals could cap near-term gains.

Factors Influencing ETH’s Price

Ethereum Network Activity Cools as Active Addresses Hit 7-Month Low

Ethereum’s network demand shows signs of erosion, with active addresses plunging 32% from August peaks to a seven-month low. The 7-day SMA of active addresses now stands at 327,000—the weakest reading since May 2025—as macro uncertainty and persistent selling pressure keep ETH pinned below the critical $3,200 level.

Technical damage compounds the bearish narrative. ETH remains trapped below former support levels, reinforcing fragility in bullish momentum. On-chain analytics from CryptoQuant reveal contracting utility, a pattern historically preceding prolonged bear phases. 'When network participation dwindles, it’s often a leading indicator of speculative fatigue,' noted one trader.

The decline mirrors broader crypto market jitters. Analysts point to thinning liquidity and institutional hesitancy amid regulatory crosscurrents. For Ethereum to regain its footing, sustained upticks in decentralized application usage and wallet growth will be essential.

Major Ethereum Whale Returns with $119M Accumulation Amid Market Weakness

Ether struggles below $3,200 as bulls shift focus to defending demand zones rather than pushing prices higher. The hesitation mirrors broader crypto market uncertainty, with traders wary of tightening liquidity and macroeconomic risks.

On-chain data reveals a telling counter-narrative: the so-called 66kETHBorrow Whale—previously known for accumulating $1.5 billion worth of ETH—has returned with a $119 million purchase during the dip. This accumulation pattern suggests strategic positioning rather than speculative trading, often a precursor to longer-term bullish conviction.

Whale activity during drawdowns historically signals confidence in eventual price recovery. While ethereum faces technical resistance, the re-emergence of large buyers indicates latent demand beneath surface-level weakness.

Base Co-Founder Faces Backlash Over Celebrity Crypto Endorsement

Base co-founder Jesse Pollak ignited controversy after engaging with rapper Soulja Boy's cryptocurrency promotion. The incident highlights persistent concerns about celebrity-driven token schemes and the ethical responsibilities of blockchain leaders.

Pollak amplified a December 13 post where Soulja Boy compared creator payout timelines across platforms. His response framed Base as a superior monetization layer, stating he'd 'instantly earned' after backing the rapper. While no specific token was named, the exchange was widely interpreted as an endorsement.

The episode revives scrutiny of celebrity crypto promotions following numerous high-profile failures. Industry observers note such incidents undermine mainstream adoption efforts while benefiting from the credibility of established figures like Pollak.

JPMorgan Launches Ethereum-Based Tokenized Money-Market Fund

JPMorgan Chase has seeded its first tokenized money-market fund with $100 million of internal capital, marking a strategic push into blockchain-based financial products. The MONY Fund will leverage the bank’s proprietary Kinexys Digital Assets platform to offer digital versions of traditional money-market instruments on Ethereum and other blockchain networks.

Targeting qualified investors—individuals with $5M+ assets or institutions holding $25M+—the fund requires a $1M minimum investment. This MOVE aligns with Wall Street’s accelerating tokenization trend, fueled by recent regulatory clarity under the Genius Act.

Tokenization promises operational efficiencies: instant settlement, transparent dividend distributions, and programmable asset features. JPMorgan’s entry signals institutional confidence in blockchain infrastructure for mainstream financial products.

Ethereum Whale Doubles Down on ETH Accumulation Amid Market Dip

A prominent Ethereum investor, known as the '66K ETH Borrowed Whale,' has made a bold $119 million purchase of 38,576 ETH during the cryptocurrency's recent price pullback to $3,090. The move signals continued accumulation by large holders despite market volatility.

The whale Leveraged an $85 million USDT loan from Aave to execute the buy, transferring funds through Binance. This follows a pattern of strategic accumulation—the same entity previously acquired 114,684 ETH in November and now holds 528,624 tokens worth approximately $1.63 billion.

Notably, the wallet maintains $647.7 million in debt on Aave with a liquidation threshold NEAR $1,594 per ETH, demonstrating high conviction in Ethereum's long-term value proposition even amid leveraged positions.

How High Will ETH Price Go?

Based on the current technical setup and market sentiment analyzed by BTCC financial analyst Sophia, Ethereum faces immediate resistance at its 20-day moving average of $3,071. A decisive break above this level, potentially fueled by continued whale accumulation and positive institutional developments like JPMorgan's fund, could target the next resistance at the Bollinger Band upper limit of $3,319 in the short to medium term.

However, the bearish MACD momentum and weak network activity present headwinds. If the price fails to hold above the lower Bollinger Band support near $2,822, a retest of lower levels could occur. Sophia's outlook suggests a range-bound movement between $2,820 and $3,320 in the coming weeks, with a bullish breakout above $3,320 requiring a significant catalyst to improve overall market sentiment and network metrics.