Ethereum Price USD: ETH Surges Past $2,600 as Whales & Institutions Buy (June 2025)

Ethereum Price Rebounds Above $2,600 Amid Whale Accumulation and Institutional Interest

A Surprising Recovery Despite Market Weakness

Ethereum (ETH) has staged a strong rebound, climbing back above $2,600 after a period of consolidation, fueled by aggressive whale buying and a resurgence in institutional inflows. As of June 17, 2025, ETH is trading at $2,628, marking a 3% increase in the past 24 hours, according to real-time market data. This recovery comes after a sharp dip to $2,517, where buyers stepped in to defend a key demand zone, signaling renewed confidence in the second-largest cryptocurrency by market cap.

Whale Activity Hits Highest Since 2018

One of the most striking developments in Ethereum’s recent price action is the surge in large-scale accumulation by so-called "whales"—investors holding massive amounts of ETH. Data from on-chain analytics firms reveals that Ethereum whales have been buying at the fastest pace since 2018, with transactions exceeding 10,000 ETH becoming increasingly frequent[citation:Cointelegraph]. This accumulation suggests that high-net-worth investors are positioning themselves for a potential upward breakout, despite short-term market uncertainty.

Institutional Demand Fuels Market Optimism

Institutional interest in Ethereum has also seen a notable uptick. Open interest in ETH futures has surged toward $40 billion, reflecting heightened trading activity among hedge funds and crypto-focused investment firms. Analysts note that the combination of rising open interest and price recovery typically indicates weakening bearish sentiment, as traders increasingly bet on further upside.

"Ethereum’s derivatives market is flashing bullish signals," says Shubh Vijay Ruia, a cryptocurrency analyst. "The fact that open interest is nearing record highs while ETH reclaims key support levels suggests that institutional players are gearing up for a sustained rally."

Technical Analysis: Key Levels to Watch

From a technical standpoint, Ethereum’s price action remains cautiously optimistic. The cryptocurrency recently bounced from the $2,517–$2,540 support zone, a critical area marked by Smart Money Concepts as an accumulation block. The 4-hour chart shows ETH reclaiming the 20 and 100 Exponential Moving Averages (EMAs), while the Awesome Oscillator (AO) and Bull and Bear Power (BBP) indicators signal a short-term bullish reversal.

However, resistance looms near $2,680–$2,735, a supply cluster that previously capped upward movements. A decisive break above this zone could pave the way for a retest of $3,000, while failure to hold $2,600 may lead to another test of lower supports at $2,400.

Ethereum’s Long-Term Prospects: The Road to $4,000?

Despite its recent underperformance compared to Bitcoin, Ethereum’s fundamentals remain strong. The transition to Ethereum 2.0 has drastically improved network efficiency, reducing energy consumption by 99.9% and making the blockchain more scalable. Some analysts argue that if ETH can sustain momentum above $2,700, a rally toward $4,000 could materialize later this year, especially if institutional adoption continues to grow.

What’s Next for Ethereum Investors?

With whale accumulation at multi-year highs and institutional inflows picking up, Ethereum appears poised for a potential breakout. However, traders should remain cautious, as macroeconomic factors and broader crypto market sentiment could still influence short-term price action.

Key Takeaways for Traders:

• Support Levels: $2,540 (4H EQH), $2,517 (Fibonacci 0.618)

• Resistance Levels: $2,680 (supply cluster), $2,735 (HTF SMC level)

• Bullish Case: A sustained close above $2,735 could target $3,000–$3,200.

• Bearish Risk: A drop below $2,400 may trigger further downside toward $2,000.

Share your thoughts on our X (formerly Twitter): Do you think Ethereum is gearing up for a major rally, or will resistance at $2,700 hold strong?

Disclaimer: The information provided in this section is for reference only and does not represent any investment advice or the official views of FameEX.

Sources:

• Cointelegraph: "Ethereum Whales Buying the Most ETH Since 2018"

• TradingView: "Ethereum Price Shows Weakness, Eyes Key Support as Bears Loom"

• CCN: "Ethereum (ETH) Price Strength After Previous Breakdown"

• FXLeaders: "Ethereum Tests $2,600: Institutional Inflows Drive Market Recovery Despite Year-Long Underperformance"

• TradingView: "Ethereum’s $4K Target Within Reach: Here’s What Needs to Happen First"