Why Ethereum Price Is Stalling Despite ETH ETF Approval

Ethereum price performance has been underwhelming for quite some time. The year-to-date return for ETH is the worst when compared with top cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, Solana, and Ripple. ETH is up only 38% in the past seven months despite the landmark approval of spot ETFs.

Ethereum Price Remains Grounded

Ethereum price crashed 12% since the spot ETF approval on July 23 and formed a temporary low at $3,087. Since then, ETH has bounced 6% and currently trades under $3,300. Despite the spot ETF being a massively bullish development, Ether prices have failed to react. Why?

But the three critical reasons for Ethereum’s lackluster performance are:

1. Ethereum’s narrative is abstract; it is a world computer, which is a little hard to sell to the traditional finance bunch. But Bitcoin’s digital gold narrative resonates with older investors.
2. Additionally, the spot Ethereum ETF lacks one key component—staking. The staking service has still not been approved by the SEC or concerned regulators, which could be the second reason investors might not be immediately interested in ETH.
3. The third reason for ETH’s dampened performance is BTC, which has been in the spotlight for quite some time due to the upcoming keynote address from presidential candidate Donald Trump.

The Bitcoin conference could also clear up the ongoing rumors about a potential “National Strategic Bitcoin Reserve.”

Read more: Peter Schiff Blasts RFK Jr’s Bitcoin Buy Plan As ‘Vote-Buying’ Tactic

ETH Price Could Trigger Massive Rally Soon

As explained in Ethereum ETF article, ETH is following in Bitcoin’s footsteps, which crashed 19% after the spot Bitcoin ETF approval on January 10 and rallied 90% in the next five months to set up an all-time high. If history repeats, Ethereum price could be preparing for a massive rally.

The short-term outlook for Ethereum price looks bearish with a string of lower highs. One sign of relief is that ETH has not produced a lower low.

A sweep of the equal lows at $2,539 is the ultimate buying opportunity, especially if ETH repeats Bitcoin’s post-ETF rally. In such a case, the upcoming rally could propel Ether to the $4,000 psychological level. If the bullish momentum remains beyond the aforementioned level, Ethereum Price Forecast suggests Ether could attempt to retest the current all-time high of $4,868.

On the other hand, if Ethereum breaks the weekly support level at $2,539, it would invalidate the bullish thesis by producing a lower low on the higher timeframe. In such a case, ETH could drop as low as $2,000.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Why is Ethereum's price not reacting positively to the spot ETF approval?

Ethereum's abstract narrative, lack of staking service, and Bitcoin's dominance in the spotlight are three key reasons holding ETH back.

2. What is Ethereum's current price performance compared to other top cryptocurrencies?

ETH has had the worst year-to-date return, up only 38% in the past seven months, lagging behind Bitcoin, Solana, and Ripple.

3. Could Ethereum's price still trigger a massive rally despite its current underwhelming performance?

Yes, if history repeats Bitcoin's post-ETF rally, Ethereum could be preparing for a massive rally, potentially propelling ETH to the $4,000 psychological level or even retesting its all-time high of $4,868.

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Akash Girimath

Senior Cryptocurrency Analyst & Market Strategist Engineer-turned-analyst Akash Girimath delivers data-driven insights on cryptocurrency markets, DeFi, and blockchain technology for platforms like AMBCrypto and FXStreet. Specializing in technical analysis, on-chain analytics, and risk management, he empowers institutional investors and retail traders to navigate market volatility and regulatory shifts. A hands-on strategist, Akash merges active crypto portfolio management with research on Web3, NFTs, and tokenomics. At AMBCrypto, he led cross-functional teams to redesign content frameworks, achieving record-breaking traffic growth through scalable editorial strategies. His analyses dissect market sentiment, investment strategies, and price predictions, blending macroeconomic trends with real-world trading expertise. Known for mentoring analysts and optimizing workflows for high-impact reporting, Akash’s work is cited across global crypto publications, reaching 500k+ monthly readers. Follow his insights on YouTube, X, and LinkedIn for cutting-edge perspectives on decentralized ecosystems and crypto innovation.

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