Ethereum is trading above $2,600 after a volatile stretch that saw bulls regain momentum and push the price into a key resistance zone. The recent rebound has brought renewed optimism to the market, with ETH now flirting with a potential bullish continuation. Still, the path forward remains uncertain, as analysts warn of a possible retracement before any major breakout can take shape.

Over the past few days, ETH has shown strength, bouncing off local support and reclaiming short-term moving averages. This move has shifted sentiment, but it hasn’t been enough to fully escape the risk of a short-term pullback. Some market watchers argue that a healthy retrace from current levels would be normal before any sustainable rally above resistance.

Top analyst Jelle added to the conversation with a simple but compelling insight: “If ETH goes back above $3,000, the real fun begins.” The $3,000 level has acted as a psychological and technical barrier throughout this cycle, and reclaiming it would likely ignite broader market momentum.

Ethereum Leads Altcoins As $3,000 Becomes The Key Battleground

Ethereum is showing notable strength among altcoins, leading the market with renewed momentum as bulls continue to push for a new bullish phase. After reclaiming the $2,600 level, ETH has been steadily building support and gaining traction, setting the stage for what many analysts believe could be the beginning of a broader altcoin resurgence.

However, for a true altseason to materialize, Ethereum must first reclaim and hold above the $3,000 level. This threshold is more than just a psychological milestone—it has historically acted as a pivot for strong market-wide rallies. Many experts agree that ETH needs to break through this resistance to confirm leadership and spark confidence across the altcoin sector.

Hope remains high, particularly among analysts who see Ethereum following Bitcoin’s lead. As BTC continues to test its all-time highs, some believe that once its current bullish impulse cools off, capital will rotate into ETH and other large-cap altcoins. This rotation could serve as the ignition point for a market-wide rally.

Jelle supports this view, stating that if Ethereum reclaims $3,000, a bullish impulse will take place. According to his analysis, a confirmed breakout above this level would mark the start of a powerful continuation phase, likely sending ETH quickly toward $3,400 and beyond.

Until then, Ethereum remains in a critical position—strong enough to lead, but still facing key resistance. If bulls maintain momentum and reclaim $3,000 with conviction, the stage will be set not only for Ethereum’s next leg up but for a full-scale altseason across the market. The coming days could prove decisive.

ETH Consolidates Below 200-Day SMA

Ethereum (ETH) is currently trading at $2,634 on the daily chart, consolidating just below a key resistance zone marked by the 200-day SMA at $2,699.60. After a sharp move up earlier in May, ETH has entered a sideways structure, with bulls defending the $2,500–$2,600 zone while attempting to break above the $2,700 level. Price action shows a tightening range, often a precursor to a breakout or breakdown.

ETH is holding above the 34-day EMA ($2,513) and all shorter-term moving averages (50- and 100-day SMAs), signaling that bullish momentum remains intact in the short to mid-term. The fact that Ethereum is consolidating above key support levels rather than correcting sharply is a constructive sign for bulls.

Volume remains relatively stable during this phase, suggesting neither buyers nor sellers have fully committed yet. A clean daily close above the 200-day SMA with volume could trigger the next bullish impulse, targeting the psychological $3,000 level.

However, failure to break resistance may result in a temporary pullback toward the $2,450–$2,500 support area. Ethereum holds a bullish posture for now, but confirmation is needed to sustain upside continuation. The coming days will be key in defining ETH’s next directional move.

Featured image from Dall-E, chart from TradingView