Ethereum Price Rises 1.5% as Whales Accumulate 1.49 Million ETH

Ethereum has shown signs of strength as both institutional investors and large holders, commonly referred to as whales, have increased their positions in the cryptocurrency. This surge in activity comes amidst global market uncertainties, with Ethereum's price appreciating by 1.5% over the past 24 hours, trading around $2,575. The weekly price fluctuations have ranged between $2,473 and $2,869, demonstrating resilience despite geopolitical tensions.

Trading activity has intensified significantly, with daily spot trading volume rising by over 32% to $14.27 billion. Futures markets have also seen a substantial uptick, with volume increasing by 26.46% to $53.09 billion and open interest climbing 1.20% to $35.13 billion. These metrics indicate that traders are actively positioning themselves for a potential price breakout, reflecting a bullish market sentiment.

On-chain analytics reveal that wallets holding between 1,000 and 100,000 ETH have been aggressively accumulating Ethereum. According to COINOTAG, these wallets have accumulated over 1.49 million ETH in the past month, now representing 26.98% of the total ETH supply. This accumulation contrasts with smaller holders who appear to be taking profits, suggesting a market dynamic where experienced investors are capitalizing on short-term volatility to build long-term positions.

Institutional interest in Ethereum continues to strengthen, with BlackRock’s iShares Ethereum Trust leading the charge. The fund has acquired over 1.5 million ETH, valued at approximately $4 billion, including nearly $240 million worth of purchases between June 3 and June 6 alone. This month, BlackRock’s Ethereum holdings have expanded by more than $500 million. Other institutional players such as Cumberland and Galaxy Digital are also increasing their Ethereum exposure, signaling a broader trend of diversification away from Bitcoin toward Ethereum assets.

From a technical perspective, Ethereum is currently trading just below its 20-day moving average, consolidating within a narrowing Bollinger Bands range. This compression typically precedes a volatility expansion, indicating a possible imminent breakout. The relative strength index (RSI) stands at a neutral 52, but the rising trading volume and whale accumulation provide a bullish undertone.

Momentum indicators, including the 10-period momentum and moving average convergence divergence (MACD), are showing signs of bottoming out. A potential MACD crossover above the signal line could confirm renewed upward momentum. Key resistance is identified near $2,870, and a sustained move above $2,600 with volume confirmation could pave the way toward the psychologically significant $3,000 level. Conversely, failure to maintain support near the 20-day average may lead to a retest of the lower Bollinger Band around $2,400.

Ethereum’s recent market dynamics underscore a growing confidence among institutional investors and large holders, supported by increased trading volumes and positive technical signals. While geopolitical uncertainties continue to influence broader markets, Ethereum’s consolidation and whale accumulation suggest a foundation for potential price appreciation. Market participants should monitor key resistance levels and volume trends closely as Ethereum approaches critical breakout points.