Weekly forecast: Ethereum remains under pressure
Ethereum is trading near $2,977, down almost 5% on the week, as sellers continue to dominate short-term price action.
Highlights
- Ethereum trades near $2,977 after breaking below $3,100, leaving price action weak and stuck in a corrective phase.
- ETH is likely to range between $2,850 and $3,050 next week, with downside risk if key support fails.
- Year-end positioning, macro signals and Bitcoin’s trend remain the main drivers as conviction stays limited.
The chart shows a sharp breakdown from the $3,100–$3,150 area, followed by choppy attempts to recover that have repeatedly failed. While buyers have defended the $2,850–$2,900 zone several times, rebounds have been weak and short-lived. Volume has declined compared with earlier in December, suggesting reduced conviction from both bulls and bears. The inability to reclaim $3,000 decisively keeps sentiment fragile. For now, ETH remains stuck in a corrective phase rather than resuming an uptrend. Market participants appear cautious ahead of year-end, preferring to wait for clearer signals.
Next week forecast: range-bound trading with downside risks still present
In the coming week, Ethereum is likely to trade within a $2,850–$3,050 range unless a strong catalyst shifts momentum. A relief bounce toward $3,100–$3,150 is possible if broader crypto sentiment improves or Bitcoin stabilizes. However, resistance near $3,200 remains heavy and could limit upside attempts. If selling pressure intensifies, ETH may revisit $2,850, which has become a critical short-term support.
A decisive break below that level could open the door to $2,700–$2,750, where buyers may attempt a stronger defense. Volatility is expected to remain elevated, with sharp intraday swings likely. Overall, the risk profile still tilts slightly to the downside unless ETH regains $3,100 with volume.
Key drivers: year-end positioning, macro signals and crypto sentiment
Year-end portfolio adjustments continue to weigh on Ethereum, as thinning liquidity often amplifies price moves in both directions. Macroeconomic factors remain central, with investors watching inflation data and central-bank guidance for clues on early-2026 risk appetite. Ethereum’s price action is also closely tied to Bitcoin, which has struggled to establish a clear trend in recent sessions. Any renewed weakness in BTC could quickly spill over into ETH.
On the ecosystem side, steady staking participation and Layer-2 adoption provide longer-term support but have limited short-term impact. Regulatory headlines or ETF-related developments could introduce sudden volatility. Until a stronger narrative emerges, Ethereum is likely to remain reactive rather than proactive.
Recently we wrote that the crypto market shows signs of stabilization, with total market capitalization rising 1.8% to approximately $2.99 trillion.
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