Ethereum News Today: Ethereum Whales and Institutions Quietly Accumulate as Bulls Eye $7K by 2026

Ethereum (ETH) has rebounded from a recent low near $3,430 to approximately $4,130, marking a 20% recovery. On-chain data reveals whale wallets have incrementally increased holdings by 80,000 ETH since October 11, signaling quiet accumulation despite broader market caution among short-term traders and 1–2-year holders, according to a BeInCrypto analysis. Technical analysis highlights a cup pattern on the 4-hour chart, with volume trends validating the structure. A potential target of $4,390 is anticipated, followed by a pullback to $4,070–$3,950 to form a handle. A close below $3,950 would invalidate the bullish setup, the BeInCrypto piece notes.

Institutional activity further supports a long-term bullish outlook. Santiment and Glassnode data indicate reduced exposure from key holder groups, yet large-scale accumulation and staking have reduced liquid supply, reinforcing structural strength, the BeInCrypto analysis adds. Recent inflows into US-listed ETH ETFs reached a record 649,000 ETH, underscoring sustained institutional demand, according to a BraveNewCoin report. Analysts note that Ethereum's staking ratio and reduced exchange-held supply align with a tightening liquidity environment, which could drive higher valuations in the coming quarters, per an FXLeaders analysis.

Technical indicators suggest Ethereum is in the fifth and final wave of its upward movement, with momentum metrics like RSI and MACD showing no bearish divergence. A confirmed break above $4,209 on the weekly chart could target $5,652, based on Fibonacci retracements of the recent decline, according to a CCN analysis. Conversely, a breakdown below $4,000 risks a deeper correction to $3,800 or $3,475, as noted in a Copygram outlook. The ETH/BTC ratio, at 0.027, remains near its lowest level since 2021, reflecting Bitcoin's dominance but also highlighting Ethereum's potential for a relative rebound as altcoin season gains traction, a Cointelegraph analysis observes.

Upcoming upgrades, including the Pectra implementation of EIP-4844 (Danksharding), are expected to enhance Ethereum's scalability for layer-2 solutions, reducing transaction costs and improving throughput. This aligns with growing adoption of layer-2 networks like Arbitrum and Optimism, which have seen increased TVL and user activity. Analysts at FXLeaders project Ethereum's price could reach $7,000 by mid-2026, driven by sustained institutional participation and macroeconomic tailwinds.

Short-term volatility remains a factor, with a potential short squeeze scenario forming around $4,800–$5,000, where $9.5 billion in short positions could liquidate on a 20% rally, FXLeaders also warns. However, a retest of the $3,900 support level is seen as a constructive setup for bulls, potentially leading to a resumption of the uptrend toward $4,500 and beyond, BraveNewCoin notes.