Ethereum’s ether (ETH) continued its ascent, trading near $2,400 after a rally that lifted the token about 38% from a swing low around $1,750. The move appears to be accompanied by a notable shift in on-chain activity and a growing cohort of long-term holders, prompting questions about whether this is a momentum bounce or the start of a structural shift in ETH demand.
On-chain data underpinning the move show a broad set of signals aligning with a more persistent bullish thesis. Daily active addresses surged 89% to 730,278 on April 5, up from 384,763, indicating heightened user interaction with the network as prices moved higher. In accumulation, inflows have intensified since mid-2025, reaching an all-time high of about 1.14 million ETH in November 2025. In 2026, daily inflows have averaged around 200,000 ETH, with a single-day spike surpassing 358,000 ETH on a recent Thursday. The stock of ETH held by accumulation addresses has grown by 6.5 million ETH to 26.16 million from 19.64 million on Jan. 1, a roughly 33% increase, suggesting rising conviction among long-horizon holders.
In parallel, staking dynamics reinforce the longer-term outlook. Data from Dune Analytics indicate that the total value of ETH staked stands at about 39.2 million ETH, reflecting a sizable base of capital committed to Ethereum’s proof-of-stake roadmap. At the same time, the supply of ETH on centralized exchanges has declined to multi-year lows, tightening liquidity on order books and potentially amplifying upside momentum if demand persists.
Key chart patterns point to higher targets
From a technical standpoint, ETH has formed a cup-and-handle pattern that could resume a bullish trajectory. A 12-hour close above the cup’s neckline near $2,400 would keep the uptrend intact, with the measured target defined by adding the cup’s depth to the breakout point approaching around $2,960 — roughly a 22% gain from current levels. A larger, ongoing cup-and-handle formation suggests a more ambitious target near $3,150, about 30% higher than present prices. The relative strength index has risen to around 68, indicating bulls are back in control without the market yet entering overbought territory.
“If the cup and handle pattern continues, I think we get to the golden zone next.”
Analysts have highlighted that this broader formation could signal a substantial move if it remains intact. The Skayeth, a trader known for chart observations on X, has noted that ETH appears to be setting up for a massive move as the pattern unfolds, adding fuel to the bullish narrative for traders watching the cup-and-handle geometry unfold in real time.
In practical terms, bulls will want to defend the $2,350–$2,400 zone to confirm a sustained breakout. If price action can close decisively above $2,400, the path toward higher targets becomes more credible, with market observers pointing to potential moves toward the $2,800 level and beyond toward roughly $3,050 if momentum remains with buyers.
These on-chain and technical signals align with the broader narrative that on-chain accumulation, rising staking activity, and tightening exchange liquidity could underpin a more durable ETH bid in the weeks ahead. The convergence of these data points—sustained address activity, persistent inflows into accumulation wallets, and a sizable stake base—helps explain why many market participants are framing this rally not merely as a bounce, but as part of a broader re-pricing of ETH’s risk premium and growth trajectory.
Still, the path forward hinges on several open questions. Will ETH maintain the breakout above the critical neckline, and how will macro liquidity and regulatory developments influence demand for staking and on-chain activity? While the current data paint a constructive picture, investors should watch for how the pattern holds in the face of shifting market risk sentiment and evolving market structure in the crypto ecosystem.
According to Cointelegraph, a close above the $2,400 level could bolster the case for ETH advancing to around $2,800 and later toward $3,050 if the momentum persists. As such, eyeing the $2,350–$2,400 region for sustained strength will be a key near-term signal for traders assessing risk and potential upside.
What to watch next is whether ETH can sustain a breakout beyond the neckline amid the interplay of on-chain accumulation, staking flows, and macro liquidity. If price action falters, the same signals that foreshadowed the rally—rising DAA, growing accumulation, and a tightening liquidity profile—will be the first to deteriorate and could limit upside in the near term.
Looking ahead, the crucial question remains: can ETH hold above the immediate support zone and carry the momentum into the next phase of the pattern, or will the market retreat test the strengths of the accumulation and staking thesis that underpins this rally?
