CME Exchange Data Shows Institutional Retreat as Ethereum’s $4,000 Ascent Stalls

Ethereum's rally toward the $4,000 mark has lost momentum as institutional and whale activity declines. Open interest in ETH futures contracts on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) dropped to a five-day low of $6.2 billion, signaling waning confidence among regulated investors.

On-chain data reveals a 339% plunge in large holder netflow over the past week. These whale addresses, controlling more than 1% of ETH's circulating supply, are showing reduced accumulation pressure. The absence of these key buyers removes critical support for Ethereum's price trajectory.

The CME futures market serves as a bellwether for institutional sentiment. Its contraction suggests professional investors may be rotating capital elsewhere or awaiting clearer macroeconomic signals. This retreat comes as broader crypto markets face mounting bearish pressure across both altcoins and Bitcoin.