Ethereum is on the verge of making unfortunate history.
The second-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization is on the cusp of recording three consecutive losing quarters for the very first time.
At press time, the flagship altcoin, which recently slipped to fifth place by market capitalization, is changing hands at $1,732, CoinGecko data shows.
The massive losing streak
What is notable is that Ethereum has never printed three consecutive losing quarters. However, this is about to become reality.
Ethereum ended the final quarter of 2025 deep in the red with a return of 28.28%. Bears extended their winning streak into the new year, which has resulted in a 29.26% decline.
Ethereum is down 18.29% for the quarter. $ETH bulls would need to stage a massive recovery to be able to reverse these losses in the final days of the year.
The top issues plaguing $ETH
The flagship altcoin is currently struggling due to a myriad of issues that include
mounting internal crises, leadership instability, and the terrible performance of the broader cryptocurrency market.
The network is currently facing a slow-burning funding crisis, which, according to Trent Van Epps, could unfold as soon as this year.
Sustaining the network’s researchers, client teams, and coordination groups costs roughly $30 million on an annual basis, and it is not clear whether this funding is actually secure as of now.
On top of that, the Ethereum Foundation has been hit by a wave of recent departures. As reported by U.Today, co-executive director Hsiao-Wei Wang recently announced that he was stepping down after nearly nine years with the organization. This leaves Bastian Aue as effectively the sole executive director.
There were at least eight other senior developers and researcher departures in 2026. They include the resignation of co-executive director Tomasz Stańczak in February.
$ETH is down roughly 65% from its record high, and Ethereum’s Buterin is currently busy writing a new sci-fi novel, which has ruffled some feathers within the community.
Needless to say, things look pretty bleak for the flagship altcoin as of now.
