Ethereum, the second-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, had a lackluster 2024, underperforming against Bitcoin and many altcoins throughout the year. However, as 2025 begins, Ethereum is starting to show signs of recovery, gaining over 10% in less than a week. This early surge has rekindled hope among investors and analysts who see potential for a strong performance this year.
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Top analyst Maartunn recently shared insightful data highlighting an ongoing trend of aggressive shorting in Ethereum markets. According to Maartunn, taker sellers have been dominating the market, outpacing taker buyers by over $350 million daily. This aggressive shorting could explain Ethereum’s poor performance in 2024, as constant selling pressure likely suppressed upward momentum.
With the new year’s optimism, many believe this shorting trend may begin to shift, creating conditions for Ethereum to reclaim its position as a market leader. As the altcoin leader pushes past its challenges, the coming weeks will be critical to determine whether this early rally marks the beginning of a more sustained upward trend. Investors are closely watching Ethereum, anticipating that a reversal of these bearish trends could lead to a stellar 2025 for the network.
Ethereum Rising Amid Aggressive Shorting Trends
Ethereum is attempting to push above its 2024 high, but a decisive breakout remains elusive. Recent price action indicates the potential for a rally, with ETH posting early gains in 2025. However, the path forward isn’t clear-cut, as significant selling pressure continues to weigh on the altcoin leader.
Top analyst Maartunn recently shared insightful data from CryptoQuant, shedding light on the current market dynamics. According to the data, Ethereum is experiencing aggressive shorting, with taker sellers dominating trading activity. Over $350 million more in sell-side pressure than buy-side activity is recorded daily, creating a challenging environment for ETH to break free from its current range.
This trend, while suppressing prices in the short term, can’t last indefinitely. Market cycles often see such aggressive shorting as a precursor to a reversal, as sellers run out of momentum and buying pressure begins to build. Long-term investors are reportedly eyeing this phase as an opportunity, positioning themselves to capitalize on Ethereum’s relatively low prices.
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As Ethereum navigates these dynamics, the next few weeks will be crucial. A clean breakout above last year’s high could signal the start of a broader rally, attracting renewed interest and potentially reversing the ongoing shorting trend. For now, ETH remains at a pivotal juncture.
Price Testing Crucial Levels
Ethereum is trading at $3,650 after a robust start to 2025, gaining significant traction in the early days of the year. The price recently broke above the 4-hour 200 EMA with impressive strength, a technical indicator often viewed as a critical threshold for long-term trends. ETH is now testing the 200 MA on the same timeframe, a level that could confirm the bullish trend if reclaimed and held as support.
A strong daily close above the 200 MA would solidify Ethereum’s upward momentum, potentially paving the way for a massive rally to challenge and surpass last year’s highs. Such a move would likely reinvigorate market sentiment and attract additional buying pressure, driving Ethereum to new levels in the near term.
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However, the bullish outlook is not without its risks. If Ethereum fails to hold the 200 MA as support, the market could witness a renewed wave of selling pressure. This would likely push ETH back toward lower levels, eroding recent gains and prolonging its battle to regain upward momentum.
Featured image from Dall-E, chart from TradingView
