Ethereum, the second-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, continued to post underwhelming performance as it traded around the $2,000 level.
This marked the first time since the asset last traded within this range—between the 9th of March and the 8th of May 2025, a 60-day stretch—that price has revisited this zone. The revisit appears tied to the broader market’s muted structure and lack of conviction.
Current conditions share similarities with previous cycles.
However, while indicators suggest a cool-down phase may be nearing completion, the market’s response remains far from definitive. The possibility of further drawdown still lingers.
Ethereum’s cool-down phase
Recent analysis indicates that ETH has been undergoing a cool-down phase historically associated with potential price rebounds across multiple cycles.
This phase is measured using the Market Temperature metric, which combines three key indicators: Market Value to Realized Value (MVRV) Z-score, Net Unrealized Profit/Loss (NUPL), and the Realized Value to Transaction (RVT) Ratio.
The metric identifies a cool-down phase when it drops to the 0 level or below.
As of press time, Ethereum’s Market Temperature sat slightly above the zero mark, suggesting that while the market is cooling, further drawdown could still occur before a sustainable recovery emerges.
Source: Alphractal
On X, Alphratal commented on the implications of trading within this zone:
“These zones reflect periods where unrealized profits are reduced, valuation becomes more balanced, and emotional excess fades from the market.”
Historically, such conditions have acted as growth catalysts.
However, recoveries rarely occur immediately. Markets often require time to rebuild conviction before a rally materializes. In the interim, ETH could trade lower or continue moving within a tight range that caps upside momentum.
Demand remains weak
Demand remains clearly subdued, increasing the likelihood that ETH continues to trade near the lower end of its range. Sentiment remains cautious across both institutional and spot markets.
On the institutional front, U.S. Spot Ethereum exchange-traded funds (ETFs) recorded one of their lowest inflow days since inception, with just $10.26 million worth of ETH absorbed from the market according to SoSoValue.
While the positive inflow could be interpreted as mildly constructive, the magnitude confirms that bullish conviction remains fragile.
In fact, the two trading sessions preceding the latest reading recorded a combined $242.2 million in outflows.
Source: SoSoValue
February, as a whole, has seen only one notable positive inflow session, when $57.05 million entered the market. This figure falls short when compared to the average net inflow of $108.19 million observed during stronger demand periods.
Spot market activity mirrors this weakness.
At the time of writing, Exchange Netflows showed approximately $28 million worth of Ethereum [ETH] purchased from the market. However, the prior session recorded $23 million in net selling pressure, partially offsetting that demand.
The persistent lack of strong buying interest continues to weigh on price action, limiting Ethereum’s ability to capitalize on its cool-down phase — a period typically associated with structural recovery.
Supply dynamics are shifting
In a recent report, AMBCrypto highlighted shifting supply dynamics across Ethereum exchanges.
Exchange reserves have declined steadily, while ETH depositing addresses and transaction counts have also fallen. In theory, reduced exchange supply often supports bullish setups by limiting sell-side liquidity.
However, supply contraction alone cannot sustain a rally. Without strong demand and improving sentiment, price expansion remains constrained. Institutional flows remain muted, and spot traders continue to show hesitation.
For Ethereum to transition into a sustained bullish trajectory, multiple conditions must align. A cool-down phase alone is not sufficient. The market also requires stronger demand inflows, improving sentiment, and renewed institutional participation.
Until those elements converge, ETH may remain range-bound—or vulnerable to further downside before a decisive recovery takes hold.
Final Summary
- Ethereum traded near the $2,000 level for the first time since its March–May 2025 consolidation phase.
- U.S. Spot ETH ETFs absorbed just $10.26 million in a recent session, one of the weakest inflow days since launch.