Ethereum is undergoing its first notable pullback after an explosive rally that took the price from $2,500 to $3,800 in less than three weeks. Despite this cooldown, bulls remain in control, with ETH holding firm above the $3,600 level—a key support zone now acting as the base for potential consolidation. The market appears to be digesting recent gains, with signs that Ethereum’s strength could be far from over.
On-chain data from Sentora adds to the bullish outlook. Last week, Ethereum saw the highest weekly volume of large transactions since 2021. This surge in big-money activity signals rising interest from institutional players and large investors, even amid short-term volatility.
With legal clarity in the US improving and Ethereum fundamentals strengthening, the current pause may be setting the stage for another leg higher. Whether this consolidation lasts days or weeks, the elevated on-chain activity suggests Ethereum’s ecosystem is heating up again, with major players positioning for the next move.
Institutions Rotate From BTC Into Ethereum
Sentora data confirms a major shift underway: big-money Ethereum is back. Last week, on-chain transfers over $100,000 totaled more than $100 billion—the highest weekly volume since 2021. This spike in high-value transfers reflects renewed institutional interest, reinforcing Ethereum’s role as the leading altcoin amid evolving market dynamics.
The timing of this surge is critical. Ethereum’s price has rallied aggressively from $2,500 to $3,800 in a matter of weeks, and institutional capital appears to be rotating from Bitcoin into ETH. While Bitcoin remains in a tight consolidation range just below its all-time high, Ethereum’s upside momentum and on-chain strength suggest it may now be leading the charge. This rotation has sparked discussions about the beginning of “Ethereum season,” a pattern seen in previous market cycles when ETH outperforms BTC and capital begins to flow into the broader altcoin market.
Some analysts believe this could mark the early stages of a long-awaited altseason. Historically, Ethereum leads such phases, acting as the gateway for investors to explore high-beta assets across the crypto ecosystem. If ETH maintains current strength and breaks above the $4,000 level, it could trigger a broader market expansion.
ETH Price Holds Above Key Support After Parabolic Rally
Ethereum is undergoing its first meaningful pullback since beginning a powerful surge from the $2,500 region in early July. After reaching a local high of $3,801, ETH is now trading around $3,662, down approximately 2.7% on the day. Despite the minor correction, the overall structure remains bullish. The current price sits above the $3,600 zone, a level that now acts as key short-term support.
Volume has slightly decreased during this pullback, suggesting that selling pressure remains relatively controlled. ETH is still trading well above its 50-day, 100-day, and 200-day moving averages, reinforcing the strength of the uptrend. The next major resistance lies around $3,800–$3,850, which aligns with previous peaks seen in early 2024.
A successful consolidation above $3,600 could provide the foundation for a new leg higher toward the $4,000 mark. However, failure to hold this support level might trigger a retest of the $3,450–$3,500 area, followed by stronger support around $3,000 and the $2,850 breakout zone.
Featured image from Dall-E, chart from TradingView
