Ethereum Price Prediction: ETH Reclaims $3K Despite ETF Selling Pressure - Bulls Eye Triangle Breakout

Ethereum bulls just pulled off a $3,000 comeback tour, shaking off ETF-induced selling to set the stage for a major technical showdown.

The Triangle Tension

Price action is coiling inside a tightening pattern—a classic consolidation before a volatile move. Every dip gets bought, every rally meets resistance. The chart isn't just whispering; it's screaming for a directional burst. Break upward, and a fresh leg higher opens. Break down, and that hard-won $3K level goes back on the menu for sellers.

ETF Flows: The 'Smart Money' Narrative

Here's the twist: institutional ETFs have been net sellers during this climb. So who's buying? The narrative of 'smart money' exiting while retail piles in writes itself—a favorite cynical jab in finance circles where the 'dumb money' often funds the 'smart money's' profits. Yet, the price holds. That disconnect between flow and price is the real story, suggesting stronger underlying demand than the headlines show.

Watch the Lines, Not the Noise

Forget the hourly noise. The entire short-term trend hinges on this triangle resolution. Technicals suggest a breakout is imminent. Bulls need a decisive close above the upper trendline to confirm momentum is back in their court. Until then, it's a high-stakes stalemate. The market's about to vote with its wallet.

This recovery places ethereum at a familiar inflection point seen in prior cycles, where price stability above major psychological levels contrasts with cautious institutional flows. With on-chain data strengthening and volatility compressing, traders are increasingly focused on whether this move represents early trend confirmation or another extended consolidation within a broader range.

Ethereum Price Today Pushes Back Above $3,000

The current ETH price moved back above $3,000 on December 29, registering a daily gain of approximately 2.3% after several weeks of consolidation below that level. Market strategist Shay Boloor, who frequently comments on short-term market structure and momentum shifts, highlighted the move, stating, “ETHEREUM $ETH BACK ABOVE $3K.”

Ethereum ROSE back above $3,000 on December 29, posting a 2.3% daily gain and reclaiming a key resistance level amid improving on-chain signals and renewed retail interest. Source: Shay Boloor via X

Trading data showed the price of Ethereum advancing from the $2,930–$2,950 area, a zone that acted as a magnet for price throughout much of December. While this recovery alone does not establish a sustained uptrend, similar reclaim moves in prior cycles have often helped stabilize Ethereum’s price today and reset short-term market positioning before the next directional phase emerges.

Ethereum ETF Outflows Add Short-Term Pressure

Despite the rebound in price, institutional flows continued to reflect caution. Glassnode’s weekly ETF FLOW data—covering all U.S.-listed spot Ethereum ETF products—showed a $32 million net outflow for the week ending December 22. Every month, December ETF outflows now exceed $550 million.

On-chain analyst Ali Charts noted that the data reflects “a shift from early December inflows to consistent weekly selling,” which coincided with Ethereum’s prolonged consolidation NEAR the $2,950–$3,000 range. Several desk-level commentators on X attributed the selling to year-end portfolio rebalancing rather than a structural shift in demand, though this interpretation has not been explicitly confirmed by ETF issuers.

U.S. spot Ethereum ETFs saw a $32 million weekly outflow, adding to heavy December withdrawals and drawing mixed reactions from market participants. Source: Ali Martinez via X

Historically, ETF flows have tended to lag short-term price action, particularly during holiday trading periods with thinner liquidity. As a result, their immediate impact on ethereum price news remains contextual rather than definitive.

Whale Accumulation Signals Long-Term Confidence

In contrast to ETF behavior, on-chain data suggests large holders are positioning differently. According to Santiment, wallets categorized as Ethereum whales increased their combined balances by nearly 300,000 ETH between December 26 and 28—equivalent to more than $850 million based on prevailing prices at the time.

This accumulation occurred while eth price remained largely range-bound, a pattern often observed when long-term participants build exposure during low-volatility phases rather than chasing momentum. In past market cycles, similar divergence between whale accumulation and muted price action preceded extended consolidation rather than immediate rallies.

Ethereum’s valuation has historically tracked its ecosystem’s total value locked (TVL), suggesting that further growth toward $1 trillion in TVL could support higher ETH prices. Source: Token Terminal via X

Additional context comes from Token Terminal, which reported Ethereum’s total value locked at approximately $330 billion, closely aligned with its fully diluted market capitalization near $353 billion. When TVL tracks FDV closely, it often suggests a limited speculative premium, helping anchor the value of Ethereum during sideways price phases and potentially reducing downside risk.

Ethereum Technical Analysis Points to Triangle Formation

From a technical standpoint, Ethereum technical analysis highlights a developing symmetrical triangle on the four-hour timeframe. Price has continued to compress between defined support near $2,780–$2,820 and resistance around $3,040–$3,080, reflecting declining volatility and balanced positioning.

ETH is currently forming an incomplete symmetrical triangle on the 4-hour chart, and traders are advised to wait for a confirmed breakout before taking positions. Source: DAY11 on TradingView

Such formations frequently resolve with sharp directional moves once volume returns, though false breakouts are common in low-liquidity conditions. As one widely circulated trading note cautioned, “Don’t long or short before the breakout and confirmation.” A confirmed close above resistance with expanding volume WOULD typically signal upside continuation, while a breakdown below support could indicate renewed downside pressure.

Momentum indicators remain mixed. The Relative Strength Index suggests a modest bullish bias without signaling overextension, while longer-term moving averages above price continue to act as overhead resistance—reinforcing the need for confirmation rather than anticipation.

Ethereum Price Prediction: Balancing Signals Ahead

Near-term ETH price prediction depends largely on whether Ethereum can maintain acceptance above $3,000 and convert that level into support. Some short-term models point to upside potential toward the $3,200 region if resistance is cleared decisively, though historical patterns suggest patience is often required during triangle resolutions.

Ethereum was trading at around 3,035.87, up 3.17% in the last 24 hours at press time. Source: Ethereum price via Brave New Coin

Looking further ahead, discussions around Ethereum price prediction 2025 and eth price prediction 2030 remain grounded in broader fundamentals such as network usage, ETF adoption trends, and macro liquidity conditions rather than near-term price fluctuations. For now, Ethereum’s ability to reclaim $3,000 despite ETF outflows underscores structural resilience, but not yet a confirmed trend shift.

For short-term traders, the resolution of the triangle pattern and volume confirmation remain more actionable than ETF Flow data, which has historically lagged price. Longer-term holders may place greater emphasis on whale accumulation and on-chain valuation metrics as indicators of underlying stability.

As trading activity resumes post-holiday, volume behavior, ETF flow updates, and technical confirmation are likely to determine Ethereum’s next decisive move.