• Ethereum was testing key support as whale accumulation increased, signaling a potential bullish reversal.
• The Pectra upgrade and rising network activity could fuel Ethereum’s next breakout.

Ethereum [ETH] sentiment has dropped to its lowest level in a year, signaling growing bearishness across social media.

This negative outlook comes as ETH underperforms other top assets, creating uncertainty among investors. 

However, extreme bearish sentiment has historically been a precursor to strong reversals, making this an area of interest for contrarian traders. Could this downturn be setting the stage for Ethereum’s next major rally?

Will ETH hold the key support zone and break out?

Ethereum has been in a descending wedge, experiencing a prolonged downtrend over the past few months.

After testing the wedge’s lower boundary, ETH shows signs of a potential rebound. ETH was trading at $2,303.17, at press time, up 5.72% in the last 24 hours. This showed that buyers were stepping in at key support levels.

If ETH continues rising, resistance at $2,540 and $2,847 will be crucial zones to watch. A breakout above these levels could signal a bullish reversal, potentially pushing ETH to $3,476 in the coming weeks.

However, failing to maintain support above $2,200–$2,100 might lead to further downside toward the $2,000 level.

Are large transactions signaling whale accumulation?

On-chain data shows a 4.75% rise in large transactions, indicating renewed interest from institutional investors.

Historically, increased large transactions have coincided with price recoveries, as whales tend to accumulate during periods of fear. This suggests that, despite prevailing negative sentiment, major players might be positioning for a potential price surge.

When large investors accumulate ETH at critical support zones, it often triggers a supply squeeze, driving bullish momentum. If this trend persists, Ethereum could experience stronger price movements and potentially break above key resistance levels.

ETH addresses are rising despite the price slump

Daily active Ethereum addresses have been increasing steadily, signaling growing network activity. Over the past week, new addresses have risen 2.96%, active addresses have increased 2.89%, and zero balance addresses are up 2.27%. This growth highlights sustained user engagement, even as ETH struggles to regain bullish momentum.

A rise in active addresses often precedes price recoveries, as more users interact with the Ethereum network. If this trend continues, it could provide a solid foundation for Ethereum’s long-term growth.

Will the Pectra upgrade fuel Ethereum’s next breakout?

Ethereum’s Pectra upgrade has successfully launched on the Sepolia testnet, marking a key milestone in its development.

The upgrade improves staking efficiency, enhances scalability, and lays the foundation for future institutional adoption through staking-integrated ETFs.

However, technical issues with the Holesky testnet upgrade have delayed its finalization, raising some concerns. If these issues are resolved, Ethereum may experience increased network activity and attract greater investment interest.

A successful mainnet rollout of Pectra could boost confidence and act as a catalyst for the next ETH rally. Ethereum’s negative sentiment, combined with rising large transactions and growing network activity, hints at a potential market reversal.

The price action suggests a possible breakout, with the Pectra upgrade likely providing further bullish momentum. If ETH holds key support levels and breaks through resistance, a significant rally could be on the horizon.