Highlights:
- Ethereum is in a correction, following the direction of the broader market.
- Selloff triggered by uncertainties around US trade policies
- Despite the selloff, Ethereum holds a critical support level and could rally from it
Ethereum’s losses have worsened as the cryptocurrency market faces downside pressure. As of the time of writing, Ethereum was trading at $2,366, meaning it lost 4.63% in the past 24 hours. This decline is in sync with the trend of the rest of the market, as Bitcoin fell below $85,000.
US Trade Policy Uncertainty Affecting Ethereum Price
The uncertainty around US trade policy is the primary factor driving the current downturn for the crypto market. Possible tariffs on Mexico and Canada have negatively affected sentiment in the market. Not long ago, U.S. President Donald Trump intended to extend the tariff deadline on these two countries to April 2. However, a White House official added to the uncertainty after stating that the deadline was still fixed at March 2.
WATCH
President Trump: 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico will move forward.
“It will be very good for our country. We will be extremely liquid and rich again.” pic.twitter.com/C28naVRwu6
— Open Source Intel (@Osint613) February 24, 2025
Ethereum Whales Show Signs of Weakness
Declines in Ethereum prices have also coincided with weakened whale activity, a key driver of Ethereum’s price action. Wallets containing a minimum of 1,000 ETH kept increasing over time, hitting a record of 5828 on February 22, 2024, the highest since early 2024. However, these accounts have begun to stagnate during the recent price drop and now sit at 5812.
🚨#ETHEREUM WHALES DUMPING! MASSIVE $ETH SELL-OFF UNDERWAY
Large holders are offloading #ETH amid market uncertainty!
🔹 Wallet 0xc725102508c2f7df5bdb5f8ea5242ae18b8a839d sold 8,074 ETH ($19.63M) at an average price of $2,431 just 12 hours ago.
🔹 Wallet… pic.twitter.com/MGLpRr83U7
— Giannis Andreou (@gandreou007) February 27, 2025
Ethereum whale activity primarily correlates with the asset’s price movements since these large holders either bring stability or evoke bullish movements through marketing. A diminishing number of whales makes it possible for a distribution phase to take place, which can add to the downward force on the price of Ethereum. This change in whale behavior, plus bearish technical indicators, suggests more downside for Ethereum in the short term.
The Pectra Upgrade: A Beacon of Hope for Ethereum
Despite the ongoing uncertainty, there is a ray of hope for Ethereum in the Pectra upgrade. The Pectra upgrade aims to improve Ethereum’s efficiency and usability. As the 11 Ethereum Improvement Proposals (EIPs) become available for the necessary updates towards the new hard fork, relevant technological advancements are expected. For example, key enhancement EIP-7702 is predicted to increase the functionality of crypto wallets by including smart contracts, thereby making transactions effortless.
EIP-7251, on the other hand, is predicted to increase the validator staking limit from 32 ETH to 2048 ETH, which would ease the staking process and, in turn, reduce the network’s congestion. The first deployment of the upgrade took place on Holesky on February 24, but it did not meet the scheduled deadline for finalization.
Ethereum’s Pectra Upgrade Hits Testnet
Ethereum’s latest upgrade, dubbed Pectra, has launched on the Holesky testnet. This upgrade promises enhancements to the network’s efficiency and functionality, generating buzz among developers and investors about its potential impact once… pic.twitter.com/5UnHWyOoDj
— Goggins (@CryptoDavidgogg) February 27, 2025
The next test on the Sepolia testnet is scheduled for March 5. While further delays are always possible, progress so far is good, and Ethereum could rally to new highs in the long term.
Technical Analysis – Ethereum Price Holds Critical Support
Ethereum has been in a selloff for the better part of the week. Earlier in the day, the selloff saw a retest of the $2365.8 support for the second time in the week. Bears were quite strong this time and briefly pushed Ethereum through this support.

However, they have been sharply rejected, and the price is back above support. This could be an indicator that Ethereum has bottomed out. If this is the case, a rally to the $2510.7 resistance could follow. A rally through the $2510.7 resistance could see Ethereum rally to $2800 or higher in the short term.
Recap
Ethereum’s current market challenges result from prevailing economic headwinds, a reduction in whale participation, and low investor confidence. Still, the impending Pectra upgrade signifies a critical change that could jump-start Ethereum’s ecosystem. While the upgrade undergoes additional testing, many market participants await developments that justify a new bull run for Ethereum.
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