Ethereum under pressure despite a slight rebound in price

Ethereum surprised everyone. While its price had been stagnant for weeks, it suddenly gained a bit of momentum. A small +1.5%, nothing euphoric. But in such a nervous crypto market, this kind of unexpected rise draws attention. The timing is strange, the signals contradictory. On one hand, whales are strengthening their positions. On the other, indicators shout caution. Is this the calm before the storm? Or just a flash in the pan?

3000 $ – 3100 $: the range that alarms the entire Ethereum market

The Ethereum news : it’s a strange zone between 3,000 and 3,100 dollars. For some, it’s a simple consolidation corridor. For others, it’s the strategic core of a Wyckoff structure, typical of accumulation cycle ends. In short, Ethereum is playing high stakes.

On the charts, the 3,100 $ level was first a rejection zone. Then it became support, before a false breakout at 3,470 $. Since then, ETH fell right back into this range. For technical analysts, this indicates maximum pressure . Especially since the open interest on futures contracts rises relentlessly. This means: lots of speculation, little real conviction in the spot market.

The risk? A violent correction, as often happens when euphoria precedes real demand. At 3,100 dollars today, Ethereum remains in a delicate situation: supported, but fragile. And this context is not unique to ETH. Other major cryptos, like Solana or Avalanche, show the same symptoms. Slight rises amid hesitant volumes.

Whales, ETFs, and accumulation: the cards on the table in the crypto universe

Behind this apparent calm, the big names of crypto finance are active. The proof? BlackRock injected 56.5 million dollars into Ethereum ETFs during a pullback phase. The timing says a lot. In total, ETH ETFs attracted 57.6 million in one day . It’s massive.

And that’s not all. On-chain data confirms serious accumulation. Two whale clusters stand out: 2.8 million ETH around 3,150 $, and 3.6 million around 2,800 $. These levels become defense zones. Whales do not give up their positions so easily. They are landmarks, shields.

Another point to note: the recent speech by Tom Lee, president of Bitmine. He considers ETH at 3,000 $ as “the most undervalued asset in the market.” They bought 100,000 units in a week. This type of movement is significant. It reflects strong conviction. The question remains whether the market will follow. Because in the crypto industry, even strong signals do not guarantee an immediate rise.

The breakout that’s awaited: a pattern, whales, and 7% gap

Ethereum is currently drawing a well-known pattern: the “cup and handle.” This chart pattern often signals a bullish reversal. The base is formed, the handle as well. Only one thing is missing: a decisive breakout above 3,486 $.

The market remains 7% away from this zone . Meanwhile, the whales are not idle. They added 90,000 ETH between December 11 and 12, about 293 million dollars at the current price. It’s discreet but strategic. If a breakout occurs, the next theoretical target is 4,779 $. But intermediate resistances already await at 3,712 $ then 4,249 $.

Conversely, if Ethereum falls below 3,152 $, the pattern erodes. And under 2,620 $, the entire bullish scenario is invalidated. The crypto market is thus walking a tightrope. Ethereum knows it: time is pressing, and the window will not remain open long.

What to remember about Ethereum and the crypto market

• 3,123 $: ETH price at the time of writing;
• Ethereum ETFs recorded 57.6 million $ inflows in one day, mainly via BlackRock;
• Whales bought 90,000 ETH in two days, proof of active repositioning;
• Two major clusters: 2.8 M ETH at 3,150 $ and 3.6 M at 2,800 $ – critical support levels;
• The “cup and handle” pattern projects a theoretical target of 4,779 $, subject to breakout.

Traders repeat it: 2026 could be an explosive year for bitcoin . The expected rate cuts will unlock new flows, especially institutional. The crypto industry is already preparing. But the real question remains: will Ethereum be able to follow this movement? Because for now, ETH remains trapped at critical levels. The window exists, but it is closing fast.