Ethereum is trading below critical resistance levels after enduring weeks of heavy selling pressure and lackluster performance. Since breaking below the psychological $2,000 mark, the price has dropped more than 21%, signaling growing uncertainty among short-term investors. This decline has raised questions among market participants, especially as Ethereum’s on-chain fundamentals remain robust.
Top analyst Ted Pillows shared insights suggesting that ETH is now trading near bear market lows—yet the network has never looked stronger. Over 95% of all stablecoin transactions are processed on Ethereum, and it still leads in Total Value Locked (TVL) across DeFi and Real World Asset (RWA) protocols. It is also the only altcoin with an approved spot ETF in the US, and numerous upgrades are lined up to improve its speed and reduce transaction costs.
Despite these strengths, Ethereum’s price remains suppressed, leading to growing speculation: is this just market sentiment at play, or could it reflect coordinated manipulation to shake out weak hands before a reversal? As Ethereum continues to dominate the utility narrative in crypto, many long-term holders see this downturn as a strategic accumulation zone, while others brace for more downside.
Ethereum Fundamentals Shine Despite Bearish Market Conditions
Ethereum is facing a critical test as it trades near major demand levels while macroeconomic uncertainty deepens. Global tensions persist as US President Donald Trump escalates his trade war with China. The recent 90-day tariff pause for all countries except China has done little to ease market fears. As economic pressure builds between the world’s two largest economies, investors are increasingly turning away from high-risk assets like crypto, driving volatility across digital markets.
Ethereum, like the broader crypto market, has suffered under this weight. The asset is now hovering just above bear market lows after a prolonged decline, prompting concerns over its short-term price action. Yet, despite the technical weakness, Pillows points to Ethereum’s strong fundamentals as a reason to remain optimistic.
According to Pillows, Ethereum remains the backbone of the decentralized finance (DeFi) ecosystem. It processes over 95% of all stablecoin transactions, commands the highest Total Value Locked (TVL), and leads the charge in Real World Asset (RWA) tokenization. It’s also the only altcoin the US has approved for a spot ETF, adding institutional legitimacy.
With several protocol upgrades ahead aimed at improving scalability and reducing costs, Pillows believes Ethereum’s current valuation could represent a long-term buying opportunity. As he puts it: if you believe in fundamentals, ETH remains the top bet among altcoins.
ETH Price Stuck In Range: Bulls Eye $1,800 Breakout
Ethereum is trading at $1,590 after several days of choppy price action between $1,500 and $1,700. The market remains stuck in this narrow range as bulls struggle to regain momentum amid broader macroeconomic uncertainty. The inability to reclaim key resistance zones has kept ETH under pressure, and a decisive breakout is needed to shift sentiment.
Bulls are currently eyeing the 4-hour 200-day Moving Average (MA) and Exponential Moving Average (EMA), both sitting near the $1,800 level. Reclaiming this zone would mark a major short-term victory for buyers and could signal the beginning of a recovery phase. A clean break above $1,800 would also invalidate the current lower-high structure and potentially drive ETH toward higher supply areas near $2,000.
However, the downside risks remain. If Ethereum fails to hold above current support levels and dips below $1,550, the next leg could send the asset beneath the $1,500 mark. For now, the $1,500–$1,800 corridor defines Ethereum’s battleground, and traders are closely watching for a breakout that sets the next major direction.
Featured image from Dall-E, chart from TradingViewÂ
