Ethereum price struggles in “cold zone” near $2,000 — will bulls regain control?

Ethereum price is hovering just below the $2,000 mark, a level that now feels more like a ceiling than support.

Ethereum was trading around $1,981, rising nearly 1% in the past 24 hours. Over the last week, the coin has moved in a tight band between $1,907 and $2,098, reflecting a pause after a period of heavy selling.

The market’s recent slide has been sharp. In the past month, Ethereum ($ETH) has dropped about 40% and now sits roughly 60% below its August 2025 record high of $4,946. Activity is slowing down too. Spot trading over the last day totaled $22 billion, down 32% from the previous session, pointing to cooling spot activity.

Derivatives markets show similar caution. Data from CoinGlass shows that total futures volume fell 5.7% to $38 billion, while open interest dropped slightly to $23 billion, down 1.1%. When open interest falls while prices barely move, it usually means traders are cutting back on risk rather than betting on a major breakout.

On-chain data points to a cooling market

On Feb. 17, analytics firm Alphractal reported that Ethereum’s “Market Temperature” is nearing cold levels. This metric combines the MVRV Z-Score, RVT, and NUPL to assess if the market is oversold or overheated.

You might also like: Vitalik Buterin: “Ethereum Is Neutral — I’m Not”

In the past, readings near or below zero have often signaled periods of lower speculative activity. Emotional trading wanes, valuations are reset, and unrealized gains decrease.

During previous cycles, markets that stayed in these cold zones for a while often set the stage for longer-term growth as more experienced investors gradually added to their positions.

Separately, a Feb. 16 analysis by CryptoQuant contributor CW8900 found that Ethereum whales are currently sitting on unrealized losses comparable to previous cycle bottoms.

Despite that, they have continued accumulating and now hold their largest balances on record, without having taken profits this cycle. That behavior suggests positioning for a future rally rather than capitulation.

Ethereum price technical analysis

Ethereum is stuck in the $1,900–$2,100 “cold zone.” Tiny daily candles show indecision as the price hovers just below $2,000, showing that traders are cautious.

The chart continues to print lower highs and lows, maintaining the downward trend. Earlier this year, $ETH was pushed sharply down from above $3,000, confirming the sell-off, and no higher high has yet been formed to signal a reversal.

The 20-day moving average, which is also the Bollinger Bands’ middle, is above the tokens’ current value. The downward slope of the upper band, which is close to $2,650, strengthens the bearish pressure.

Momentum remains weak. The relative strength index recently fell into oversold territory near 20–25, then bounced to the mid-30s. Still, it has stayed below 50, keeping $ETH in a bearish momentum phase.

There has been a slight recent price recovery from $1,800 to $1,900. The move appears to be more corrective than a true rally because there isn’t a significant bullish engulfing candle or volume surge.

Key resistance levels are $2,150–$2,200, $2,650, and $2,800. On the downside, $1,900 offers immediate support. Below that, the recent low is between $1,750 and $1,800, with $1,600 serving as the next significant support area.

If buyers can close daily candles above $2,150–$2,200 and push the RSI above 50, $ETH could aim for $2,400. But if $1,900 fails to hold, the path may open toward $1,700–$1,600.

Read more: XRP price prediction as Standard Chartered slashes 2026 target by 65% to $2.80