Whale Trader 'pension-usdt.eth' Liquidated $66M ETH Position, Netting $740K Profit

A whale trader identified as 'pension-usdt.eth' recently liquidated a $66 million long position in Ethereum, securing a $740,000 profit. The move was notable for its timing, occurring just after a significant inflow into Ethereum ETFs. The trader appears to have taken profits following a sustained upward trend in ETH prices.

Ethereum ETF inflows hit a strong $130 million mark on January 13, led by BlackRock's iShares Ethereum Trust, which saw $53.3 million in net inflows. Other major players like Fidelity and Bitwise also reported positive flows. This marked one of the stronger inflow days of the month, signaling renewed institutional interest in Ethereum exposure.

The price of Ethereum broke out of a symmetrical triangle pattern on the daily chart, moving past $3,330 and indicating potential for a move toward $4,000. This breakout was supported by rising open interest in Ethereum futures, which reached a three-month high of $8.6 billion on Binance.

The combination of inflows and price action suggests growing confidence in Ethereum's value proposition among both institutional and retail investors.

Why Did This Happen?

The recent inflow into Ethereum ETFs was driven by a mix of factors including growing institutional adoption, regulatory clarity, and the maturation of crypto as an asset class. Grayscale's Ethereum Trust (ETHE) reported a $3.9 million inflow on January 13, contributing to broader positive flows across the ETF landscape. These inflows are seen as a sign that investors are increasingly viewing Ethereum as a core component of their diversified portfolios.

Ethereum's staking activity also reached an all-time high, with nearly 30% of the supply now staked. Institutional players like BitMine Immersion have been rapidly expanding their staking exposure, while ETFs such as Grayscale are now distributing staking rewards to investors . This shift in how institutional capital engages with on-chain yield has added to the bullish narrative around Ethereum.

How Did Markets React?

Ethereum's price movement coincided with a broader rally in the crypto market. Bitcoin approached $98,000 after spot Bitcoin ETFs logged $753.73 million in inflows. The increased inflows and improved market sentiment benefited both Bitcoin and Ethereum, with the latter rising above $3,300. Ethereum's price rise was also supported by positive on-chain activity, with transaction counts and active addresses showing signs of renewed engagement.

The increased inflows into Ethereum ETFs were also reflected in the open interest data for Ethereum futures. Open interest on Binance hit $8.6 billion, its highest level since October 2025. This suggests that traders are increasingly willing to take leveraged positions in Ethereum, reflecting confidence in the asset's near-term prospects.

What Are Analysts Watching Next?

Analysts are closely monitoring whether Ethereum can sustain its gains above $3,300. If it can maintain this level, attention will shift to the $3,600–$3,800 resistance zone. Breaking through this range would open the door for a move toward $4,000 and beyond. Traders are also watching for signs of continued inflows into Ethereum ETFs, as this would provide further validation of the asset's long-term appeal.

The recent developments in the Ethereum ETF landscape are also drawing attention. Grayscale's CoinDesk Crypto 5 ETF (GDLC) is seeking approval for options trading on NYSE American, a move that could increase liquidity and competition for order flow in the crypto ETF space. If approved, this would mark a significant milestone for crypto ETFs in the U.S. and could further integrate digital assets into mainstream financial markets.

Overall, the combination of strong ETF inflows, favorable technical indicators, and growing institutional interest in Ethereum suggests that the asset is well-positioned for further gains. However, traders remain cautious about potential corrections and are closely watching for signs of renewed selling pressure or regulatory developments that could impact the market.