- Short-term traders sell aggressively, averaging $553M daily profits last week.
- Long-term holders shift from capitulation to belief, showing renewed confidence.
- Key resistance sits at $4,336, with potential targets of $4,700 and $5,210.
Ethereum’s price is holding steady, but the mood among investors is anything but uniform. At around $4,280, ETH trades flat, yet under the surface, two camps are emerging. Seasoned holders keep their coins locked away, showing quiet conviction. Short-term traders, however, are taking the opportunity to bank gains. This push and pull between patience and profit-taking could be the fuel for Ethereum’s next major move.
Short-Term Traders Take the Fast Lane
Glassnode data shows short-term holders, those holding ETH for under 155 days, are selling aggressively. Over the past week, they have booked profits averaging $553 million daily. That figure approaches July’s $771 million peak, when ETH was still under $3,600. The pace of selling suggests traders are capitalizing on recent price strength. A push toward $4,700, however, could spark $2.23 billion in leveraged liquidations, according to CoinGlass. Such a chain reaction might add more volatility to an already tense market.
Technical charts reveal ETH hugging the upper Bollinger Band. This positioning often signals overextension. Immediate support sits at the 20-day SMA near $3,823. A break above $4,336 could open the path to $4,700 and $5,210. If sellers regain control and push below $4,100, the $3,800 zone could come into play. The Relative Strength Index is already flashing overbought territory. This hints at the possibility of a short-term cooldown before another rally attempt. Traders will be watching these signals closely to time entries and exits.
Long-Term Holders Keep the Faith
While traders scramble for quick profits, long-term holders are showing remarkable patience. Their selling activity mirrors December 2024 levels, far from panic mode. Glassnode’s Net Unrealized Profit/Loss metric even shows these investors moving from “capitulation” in April to “belief” in August. This psychological shift is significant. It reflects renewed confidence in Ethereum’s future, even with the token still 12.28% below its all-time high of $4,828.
Many of these holders see potential beyond short-term price swings, aiming for targets well above current levels. Analyst Ali Martinez identifies the next major resistances at $5,210 and $6,946. Reaching those zones would require strong momentum and sustained buying pressure. If the current tug-of-war between sellers and holders continues, the outcome could set the stage for sharp moves in either direction.
Over the past year, ETH has gained more than 68%, making it one of the standout assets of 2025. The question is whether patient holders or quick-trigger traders will dictate the next chapter. Ethereum’s market is split between patient believers and profit-hungry traders. Short-term selling remains strong, while long-term conviction is quietly rising.
