Ethereum mirrors its 2016 breakout setup as ETF demand and whale accumulation signal a potentially explosive bullish cycle.
Over $250M in net flows and $500M in stablecoins have entered Ethereum, confirming rising liquidity and strong market preference.
ETH is maintaining a significant mid-range level as volume increases and futures traders shift their focus away from Bitcoin, enhancing the likelihood of a bullish breakthrough.
Ethereum (ETH) is duplicating previous price patterns, indicating a strong bullish cycle as whale and ETF flows increase. Current technical and on-chain data indicate that Ethereum is in a critical phase, similar to previous macro bottom forms.
Fractal Repeats Signal Breakout Potential
Ethereum’s price action across 2024 and 2025 closely resembles its 2016 setup. Both periods show extended consolidation within a clear range followed by rounded bottom formations. Current ETH price near $2,488 aligns with past breakout zones.
As in the post above, bullish analyst Merlijn The Trader has presented a detailed analysis based on fractal patterns and macro cycles. According to Merlijn, Ethereum has formed a near-identical structure to its 2016 base, with a prolonged sideways range, multiple resistance rejections, and consistent support reactions. He identifies the current accumulation zone between $1,700 and $2,000 as structurally significant.
https://twitter.com/MerlijnTrader/status/1938281105158783023
Ethereum’s rounded bottom shape, formed between $1,650 and above $2,250, mirrors the 2016 curve that preceded a breakout from $7.50 to over $200. Merlijn notes that ETH is again approaching its upper range near $2,500, a key resistance level also seen in the previous cycle. When this range broke in 2016, Ethereum surged more than 800% in weeks.
Merlijn believes Ethereum could follow a similar path, especially now that institutional demand has entered via spot ETF approvals. His chart model projects ETH reaching up to $12,000 by late 2025 if the pattern holds and resistance is breached. He adds that this isn’t just a chart—it’s a warning of what’s structurally possible.
Structural Parallels Deepen the Case
In his second analysis, Merlijn expands on Ethereum’s symmetrical timing across cycles. He shows that both ranges, 2016 and 2024-lasted about a year before volatility exploded. ETH is once again in a mid-range squeeze, a typical pre-breakout condition.
He points out that whale activity is stronger now than in past cycles. ETF bids add a new layer of structural demand not seen in earlier setups. Ethereum’s ability to maintain higher lows while volume builds confirms technical compression. Merlijn also emphasizes that ETH historically accelerates rapidly after clearing this kind of macro resistance.
This repeated market behavior, visible in both structure and timing, increases the probability of Ethereum entering an aggressive bullish phase. The asset remains in a high-potential zone, with price, volume, and sentiment now aligning.
Whales, Stablecoins, and Flows: Ethereum’s Bullish Storm Builds
Ethereum has led all blockchains in bridged net flows over the past 24 hours, exceeding $250 million in inflows. No other chain crossed the $100 million mark. Avalanche C-Chain, Polygon, and Unichain followed far behind.
Stablecoin flows also favored Ethereum, with over $500 million in new supply entering its ecosystem. This outpaced Tron, Avalanche, and Solana combined. Meanwhile, Base and Arbitrum saw net outflows, further highlighting Ethereum’s capital dominance.
Whale accumulation has hit unprecedented levels, and ETH now dominates liquidable volume across the market. All signals point to Ethereum preparing for another major leg upward in its multi-year cycle.
