Ethereum Update: Institutions Accumulate ETH as Price Nears $3K and ETFs Experience Inflows

Ethereum (ETH) seems to be emerging from a lengthy downward trend, with its price edging nearer to the $3,000 resistance mark—a sign that market sentiment could be shifting. The digital asset has repeatedly struggled to break through the $2,950–$3,000 zone, a significant hurdle that has limited upward movement this month. Nonetheless, fresh on-chain metrics and institutional involvement indicate rising optimism about Ethereum’s prospects for stabilization and growth.

Attention has turned to the $2,800 support region, an area where

has historically seen robust buying activity. If this level holds, it could reignite bullish momentum and push ETH past $3,000. On the other hand, a drop below $2,800 could lead to a steeper decline, as technical signals such as on-chain volume and the OBV oscillator are . At the same time, major investors, including institutional whales, have during the recent downturn, reflecting their confidence in Ethereum’s long-term potential.

Institutional sentiment is further highlighted by Bitmine’s recent $49 million ETH acquisition, which has been added to its corporate reserves. The firm now possesses around 3.5 million ETH—worth over $10 billion—as it . This assertive buying stands in contrast to the broader market’s fragility, with Bitcoin ETFs experiencing ongoing outflows while Ethereum ETFs attract modest inflows. BlackRock’s ETF alone saw $93 million in new investments, highlighting the differing approaches institutions are taking toward the two top cryptocurrencies .

Technical charts present a mixed outlook. Ethereum’s 50-day moving average is nearing a possible death cross beneath the 200-day moving average, which is typically a bearish sign for the medium term. Yet, both the Relative Strength Index (RSI) and MACD have recently shown bullish divergence, with the RSI holding above 30 and the MACD turning positive on the hourly timeframe.

that short-term buyers are gaining momentum, especially as Ethereum surpasses important trend lines and Fibonacci retracement points.

The wider market environment adds further complexity. The Federal Reserve’s December policy meeting is approaching, and traders are factoring in an 81% chance of a 25-basis-point rate reduction. Such a decision could increase risk appetite, potentially benefiting cryptocurrencies like Ethereum. However, liquidity remains tight, as market makers are still recovering from the $20 billion in forced liquidations that occurred in October.

that this liquidity crunch could extend the current bearish trend for several more weeks.

Ethereum’s recent performance compared to Bitcoin also provides valuable perspective. The ETH/BTC ratio has reached its most bullish point to date, with Ethereum outperforming Bitcoin for the first time in several months. This divergence is largely attributed to Ethereum’s upcoming Fusaka upgrade, which will introduce PeerDAS to boost Layer-2 scalability and lower transaction fees.

as a potential driver for increased network usage and price appreciation.

Although the journey to $3,000 is still uncertain, Ethereum’s recent strength has inspired cautious optimism. A sustained move above $2,950 would confirm a breakout, while failing to maintain $2,800 could lead to a retest of the $2,620 support. The next few weeks will be pivotal in determining whether Ethereum can firmly establish its recovery or face renewed downward pressure.