Ether ETH $4,600 Volatility in 24 hours: 4.2% Market capitalization: $554.92 B 24h Vol: $38.84 B is recovering from its recent drop to the critical support level, recording a daily gain of 3.5% on August 26. Popular analyst Markus Thielen noted that Ethereum is entering a decisive phase as its momentum weakens.

It is worth noting that ETH has respected its 21-day moving average, currently around $4,355, with multiple bounces observed in early and mid-August. Large buyers and institutions intervened to defend this level, but the strength of buying on dips seems to be waning.

📊 Daily chart from #Matrixport today – August 27, 2025 ⬇️

Respect the technical aspects: the next big test for Ethereum #Matrixport #Bitcoin #Ethereum #CryptoMarkets #CryptoETF #InstitutionalFlows #BTC #ETH #MarketStrategy #TechnicalAnalysis pic.twitter.com/u0418lzsZx

— Matrixport Official (@Matrixport_ES) August 27, 2025

Thielen predicted that Ethereum is likely to fluctuate between $4,355 and $4,958 in the short term. However, he also noted the risk of retesting levels below $4,355 if sellers regain control.

A big long squeeze

To increase pressure on Ethereum's trajectory, the derivatives market recently experienced one of its sharpest declines in a single day. On August 24, open interest on Binance plummeted more than 14% in 24 hours, while ETH fell below $4,400.

The sudden collapse triggered widespread liquidations, surpassing the -9% contraction from early August. This points to forced deleveraging rather than voluntary selling.

ETH price and daily percentage change of OI | Source: CryptoQuant

Meanwhile, ETH funding rates cooled to near-zero levels, a zone typically associated with the consequences of long contractions. According to on-chain information from a CryptoQuant contributor, this reflects a collapse of bullish sentiment, where late buyers are being expelled from the market.

ETH funding rate by exchange | Source: CryptoQuant

The synchronized drop suggests that demand driven by leverage is rapidly running out.

ETH Price Outlook: Bulls vs. Bears

At the time of writing this article, Ethereum is trading close to $4,586 after briefly retesting its long-term support near $4,350. Just two days earlier, ETH had reached a new all-time high of $4,953 before sellers drove it down.

On the 4-hour chart, ETH is currently filling a bearish fair value gap between $4,600 and $4,450, with a possible extension towards $4,000 if selling pressure accelerates.




4-hour chart of ETH with possible price directions | Source: Trading View

For bulls to regain control, ETH must reclaim the $4,662 zone and register a daily close above $4,700. This move could restore bullish momentum and reopen the path to $5,000.

Despite short-term uncertainty, cryptocurrency analysts remain optimistic. Popular trader Ted suggested that ETH could reach $10,000 by year-end.

$ETH $10,000 year-end.

With a drop in September to buy. 👀

I agree with Tom Lee.

photo.twitter.com/VG3h3e771G

— Ted (@TedPillows) August 27, 2025

Ted predicted that before such an increase, traders might see a drop in the price of Ether as a good buying opportunity.

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ETH is likely to fall below $4,300 after consolidation.
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