Ethereum Under Pressure: Whale Accumulation and the Critical $3,000-$3,100 Range

Source: CoinTribune Original Title: Ethereum under pressure despite a slight rebound in price Original Link: https://www.cointribune.com/en/ethereum-under-pressure-despite-a-slight-rebound-in-price/

Ethereum Oscillates in Critical Zone

Ethereum surprised everyone. While its price had been stagnant for weeks, it suddenly gained a bit of momentum. A small +1.5%, nothing euphoric. But in such a nervous crypto market, this kind of unexpected rise draws attention. The timing is strange, the signals contradictory. On one hand, whales are strengthening their positions. On the other, indicators shout caution. Is this the calm before the storm? Or just a flash in the pan?

Key Points

• Ethereum oscillates in a critical zone between $3,000 and $3,100 for several days.
• ETFs have injected $57.6 million, including significant institutional investment.
• Whales bought more than 6 million ETH on two major supports in December.
• A bullish chart pattern awaits a breakout at $3,486 to validate the signal.

$3,000-$3,100: The Range That Alarms the Entire Ethereum Market

It’s a strange zone between $3,000 and $3,100. For some, it’s a simple consolidation corridor. For others, it’s the strategic core of a Wyckoff structure, typical of accumulation cycle ends. In short, Ethereum is playing high stakes.

On the charts, the $3,100 level was first a rejection zone. Then it became support, before a false breakout at $3,470. Since then, ETH fell right back into this range. For technical analysts, this indicates maximum pressure. Especially since the open interest on futures contracts rises relentlessly. This means: lots of speculation, little real conviction in the spot market.

The risk? A violent correction, as often happens when euphoria precedes real demand. At $3,100 today, Ethereum remains in a delicate situation: supported, but fragile. And this context is not unique to ETH. Other major cryptos, like Solana or Avalanche, show the same symptoms. Slight rises amid hesitant volumes.

Whales, ETFs, and Accumulation: The Cards on the Table

Behind this apparent calm, the big names of crypto finance are active. Institutional investors injected $56.5 million into Ethereum ETFs during a pullback phase. The timing says a lot. In total, ETH ETFs attracted $57.6 million in one day. It’s massive.

And that’s not all. On-chain data confirms serious accumulation. Two whale clusters stand out: 2.8 million ETH around $3,150, and 3.6 million around $2,800. These levels become defense zones. Whales do not give up their positions so easily. They are landmarks, shields.

Another point to note: industry leaders consider ETH at $3,000 as “the most undervalued asset in the market.” Recent purchases of significant units in a week reflect strong conviction. The question remains whether the market will follow. Because in the crypto industry, even strong signals do not guarantee an immediate rise.

The Breakout That’s Awaited: A Pattern, Whales, and 7% Gap

Ethereum is currently drawing a well-known pattern: the “cup and handle.” This chart pattern often signals a bullish reversal. The base is formed, the handle as well. Only one thing is missing: a decisive breakout above $3,486.

The market remains 7% away from this zone. Meanwhile, the whales are not idle. They added 90,000 ETH between December 11 and 12, about $293 million at the current price. It’s discreet but strategic. If a breakout occurs, the next theoretical target is $4,779. But intermediate resistances already await at $3,712 then $4,249.

Conversely, if Ethereum falls below $3,152, the pattern erodes. And under $2,620, the entire bullish scenario is invalidated. The crypto market is thus walking a tightrope. Ethereum knows it: time is pressing, and the window will not remain open long.

What to Remember

• ETH price at critical support level around $3,123
• Ethereum ETFs recorded $57.6 million inflows in one day, mainly via institutional investors
• Whales bought 90,000 ETH in two days, proof of active repositioning
• Two major clusters: 2.8M ETH at $3,150 and 3.6M at $2,800 – critical support levels
• The “cup and handle” pattern projects a theoretical target of $4,779, subject to breakout

2026 could be an explosive year for major cryptocurrencies. Expected rate cuts will unlock new flows, especially institutional. The crypto industry is already preparing. But the real question remains: will Ethereum be able to follow this movement? Because for now, ETH remains trapped at critical levels. The window exists, but it is closing fast.