Ethereum Faces Resistance at $2,600 After 23% Surge

Ethereum has been trading above the $2,500 mark but has encountered strong resistance near the $2,600 level, which has limited further gains in recent sessions. Since June 22, ETH has surged by over 23%, reclaiming crucial levels and benefiting from market-wide optimism. However, as the broader crypto market shows signs of stalling, Ethereum's momentum appears to be slowing down.

The bullish momentum that drove ETH higher in late June is now facing headwinds. Despite holding above important moving averages and maintaining a short-term uptrend, Ethereum has struggled to decisively break above the $2,600 barrier. Analysts caution that a failure to reclaim this level with strong volume could lead to a short-term correction.

Top analyst Carl Runefelt has identified a potential bearish setup on the 4-hour chart, indicating that Ethereum is forming a rising wedge pattern. According to Runefelt, if this pattern plays out, ETH could experience a pullback toward lower demand zones if momentum continues to fade. The coming days will be critical as bulls attempt to maintain control while bears look for an opportunity to regain short-term dominance.

Ethereum is at a critical juncture following a week of volatility and renewed bullish momentum. After reclaiming the $2,500 level and rising over 23% since June 22, ETH has regained investor attention. However, the rally now faces a critical test: breaking above the $2,700 resistance level. A successful move above this threshold could ignite a broader altcoin rally, as Ethereum often leads the altcoin market.

Market sentiment remains cautiously optimistic, with bulls controlling short-term price action. Ethereum is trading above key moving averages and remains structurally bullish on higher timeframes. However, the price has stalled just below the $2,600–$2,700 zone—a key supply area that must be flipped into support to confirm the next upward leg. A clean breakout could propel ETH into a new price range, allowing other altcoins to follow and break above their own resistance levels.

Carl Runefelt warns that Ethereum is currently forming a rising wedge pattern on the 4-hour chart—a potentially bearish setup. If the pattern plays out, ETH could fail to break higher and instead fall back toward lower support zones. Runefelt points to the $2,200 level as a key horizontal support that could be tested if momentum weakens and sellers regain short-term control.

Ethereum’s price action remains in a tight range. A decisive breakout or breakdown will likely define the direction of the altcoin market in the weeks ahead. Traders and investors are closely watching ETH’s next move, as it could set the tone for the remainder of the summer crypto cycle.

Ethereum’s price action continues to reflect a tug-of-war between bulls and bears as it hovers around the $2,550 level, just under the critical resistance at $2,600. After briefly reclaiming that level, ETH failed to hold its gains and pulled back slightly, suggesting sellers remain active at this zone. The chart shows Ethereum forming a lower high in the near term, raising short-term caution among traders.

The 50-day and 100-day simple moving averages are now converging around $2,500–$2,530, acting as immediate support. As long as ETH holds above these levels, the medium-term outlook remains constructive. However, any sustained drop below these moving averages could invite additional downside pressure, possibly dragging the price back toward the $2,400 range or even testing the 200-day SMA near $2,180.

Volume has remained moderate, showing that neither side has taken full control. Until ETH decisively breaks above $2,600 and flips it into support, the uptrend remains unconfirmed. The next key resistance sits at $2,700. Conversely, a rejection from current levels could indicate the formation of a range-bound structure or a rising wedge breakdown, as some analysts suggest.