Ethereumβs Price Faces Continued Bear Market Pressure
Ethereumβs price remains under significant pressure, having dropped more than 53% from its November high. The cryptocurrency has fallen below the critical support level of $2,000 and is now trading near its lowest point since November 6.
Declining Demand and Investor Sentiment
The ongoing price crash is largely attributed to waning demand for Ethereum in traditional financial markets. Spot Ethereum ETFs have experienced outflows for three consecutive weeks, reducing cumulative net inflows to $2.52 billion and lowering total assets under management to approximately $6.72 billion.
Investor sentiment has also taken a hit, as evidenced by the crypto fear and greed index, which has dropped to the “fear” zone at 21. Historically, Bitcoin and other altcoins tend to underperform when market sentiment is weak.
Impact of Ethereum Foundation and Market Competition
Recent ETH token sales by the Ethereum Foundation have further dampened market confidence. Harikrishnan Mulackal, a former engineer at the foundation, recently expressed concerns about Ethereumβs future, citing the need for more transparent leadership.
Ethereumβs network is also facing growing competition from other layer-1 blockchain platforms such as Solana and Binance Smart Chain (BSC). According to DeFi Llama, decentralized exchange (DEX) protocols on Ethereum processed $1.012 billion in token volume on Monday, significantly lower than BSCβs $1.63 billion and Solanaβs $1.077 billion.
Technical Analysis: Risky Patterns Emerging
Ethereumβs price chart is showing several bearish technical patterns. Recently, ETH formed a triple-top pattern on the weekly chart, marked by three peaks and a neckline at $2,126. This pattern often signals further downside.
Additionally, the daily chart revealed a “death cross” on February 13, when the 50-day and 200-day moving averages crossed. A death cross is widely considered one of the most bearish signals in technical analysis.
Currently, Ethereum is forming another potentially bearish patternβa pennant. This formation consists of a long vertical line followed by a symmetrical triangle. The triangle is nearing its confluence point, indicating the possibility of a bearish breakdown. A drop below the year-to-date low of $1,757 could pave the way for further declines, potentially reaching the psychological support level of $1,500.
Potential Catalyst: Federal Reserve Interest Rate Decision
Ethereumβs price movement this week may hinge on the Federal Reserveβs upcoming interest rate decision. Scheduled for Wednesday, a dovish stance from the Fed could provide some relief for ETH and other cryptocurrencies. Investors are closely watching whether monetary policy adjustments might positively impact market sentiment.
As the cryptocurrency market continues to evolve, staying informed about Ethereumβs price movements and broader trends is crucial for investors and enthusiasts alike. Understanding technical patterns and macroeconomic factors can help navigate the uncertainties in the market.