$ETH remains a cornerstone of the crypto ecosystem. Despite increasing competition, Ethereum continues to dominate DeFi, NFTs, and smart contracts. Its transition to Proof of Stake has enhanced its appeal to long-term investors by reducing its energy consumption and introducing a system of passive rewards. With regular updates and constant activity on the network, $ETH maintains solid potential, both for swing trading and for investment. If the market rebounds, Ethereum could very well be among the first to surge upwards.