Ethereum Price at Critical Breaking Point, $1,500 Drop or Sharp Rebound?

Highlights:

• Ethereum has bounced off the $1828.9 support intraday
• Bounce off support points to the continuation of range-bound trading
• A breakout likely to be driven by improvement or worsening in macros 

Ethereum (ETH) is in the green today, reflecting the minor market rally. In the last 24 hours, Ethereum has gained by 3.64% to trade at $1890.40. However, Ethereum trading volumes have dropped during the day. They are down by 5.88% to stand at $19.12 billion. This drop in trading volumes is an indicator that the average investor does not expect the rebound to last for long. A couple of factors are driving the short-term lack of enthusiasm for Ethereum.

Low Volumes Despite Ethereum Rebound Point to Retail Exhaustion

One is that such rebounds have become quite common in the cryptocurrency market recently. However, they have been followed by dumps that have sent prices back to levels lower than before the bounce. That’s because the market as a whole is in a bear market. As such, every price bounce is seen as an opportunity to short at a better price.

As retail money buys every pump and gets dumped on, the excitement around such pumps drops over time. This is why volumes are down across the board, not only for Ethereum. The average investor expects the price to drop even further in the short term. This is most evident in the fact that the fear-and-greed index for the cryptocurrency market is still at extreme fear despite the intraday pump.

BTC and ETH are bouncing, but this looks more like a relief rally than a full breakout. Volatility is high, sentiment is still cautious, and macro uncertainty is keeping traders defensive.

Right now:
⁰• Choppy price action⁰• Low conviction moves⁰• Lots of short-term swings…

— Einstein 👑 (@EinsteinBTC1) February 25, 2026

Whale Selloffs Likely to Push Ethereum Lower

The lack of enthusiasm in Ethereum despite the pump is also driven by whale selloffs. Whales have been selling their Ethereum in the recent price correction, signalling profit-taking after years of holding. One of the most notable Ethereum whales that is liquidating their holdings is Vitalik Buterin.

Buterin recently sold 17,000 Ethereum. This is likely to drive Ethereum lower, not just from price pressure but also from the psychological aspect. That’s because Vitalik Buterin is the founder of Ethereum, and his selling could signal a lack of confidence in the eyes of retail investors. 

BUTERIN IS STILL SELLING $ETH

Over the past 4 days, Vitalik sold 4,326 $ETH worth $8.12M

Since February 2, total sales reached 11,284 $ETH for $22.78M, at an average price of ~$2,027

Address:
0xfeb016d0d14ac0fa6d69199608b0776d007203b2

Founders selling doesn’t automatically… pic.twitter.com/C4vJ1Ij7yg

— Flippix (@Flippix_sol) February 25, 2026

Macro Factors Weighing Heavily on Ethereum Price

Such a perception is especially sensitive now, as macro factors are putting significant pressure on the cryptocurrency market. The biggest issues at the moment are the new tariff threats from President Trump and the possibility of a war between the US and Iran. When whales sell under such circumstances, it could signal to the market that those with insider information may be expecting the price to go even lower in the foreseeable future.

Supreme Court: “You don’t have authority to slap global tariffs on everyone.”

Trump: says he can “do whatever I want,” claims he could “destroy a country,” and then announces a NEW 10% tariff anyway.

This isn’t trade policy.
It’s Monopoly with nuclear codes.

How is this even… pic.twitter.com/AnwTbvbbfx

— SaskCate 🇨🇦 (@CateSask) February 20, 2026

Staking By the Ethereum Foundation Could Drive a Rebound

However, it is not all doom and gloom for Ethereum despite a weak macro environment. Even at depressed prices, the Ethereum team continues to build and improve Ethereum. Recently, the Ethereum Foundation has announced the start of its staking initiative.

The Ethereum Foundation staked 2016 Ethereum as part of a scheme to stake 70,000 Ethereum. This is a big deal, as the more Ethereum is staked, the more of it is taken out of circulation. This will alter Ethereum’s demand and supply dynamics, likely sending the price to new highs in the future. 

Technical Analysis – Ethereum Price Still Range Bound Despite Intraday Gains

Despite a minor pump during the day, Ethereum is still stuck between the $2110.3 resistance and the $1828.9 support. If bulls sustain the momentum built after bouncing off the $1828.9 support, the key level to watch is the $2110.3 resistance.

If bulls are strong enough to push Ethereum through the $2110.3 resistance, a rally to $3013.3 could follow. On the other hand, if bears take control and push Ethereum price below the $1828.9 support, a price correction to as low as $1500 could follow.