Key Notes
- Significant ETH holders liquidated 90,000 ETH over a 48-hour period, briefly driving its value under $4,500.
- Despite positive underlying factors, Citi has projected a conservative ETH price of $4,300 by 2025.
- The volume of ETH being staked has reached levels unseen since 2023, signaling strong confidence among validators.
The digital currency
ETH
$4 492
24h volatility:
1.1%
Market cap:
$542.09 B
Vol. 24h:
$29.18 B
, Ethereum, saw a considerable amount of selling pressure as major holders (whales) disposed of 90,000 ETH within a short span of two days. Crypto expert Ali Martinez highlighted this activity, suggesting potential downward pressure on the cryptocurrency.
This large-scale selling event caused a temporary dip below the $4,500 threshold. However, Ethereum has since shown resilience, recovering to around $4,543.85. Data from CoinMarketCap data indicates that it has gained over 5% in value during the last week.
Whales sold 90,000 Ethereum $ETH in the last 48 hours! pic.twitter.com/YqFfmqs38Z
— Ali (@ali_charts) September 17, 2025
Citi’s Price Prediction Contrasts Market Sentiment
A Reuters report revealed that Citigroup forecasts Ethereum reaching $4,300 by the close of 2025. This forecast is notable as ETH has recently traded at around $4,955.
Citi’s projection is based on factors such as broader economic uncertainties, possible regulatory challenges, and the potential for market corrections following ETH’s recent significant price increases.
However, available data suggests that Ethereum’s fundamental strength might be underestimated. According to CryptoQuant, the $4,300 target from Citi could be a rather pessimistic lower bound instead of a realistic value.
Positive Factors Support Ethereum’s Growth
Information from CryptoQuant shows a major rise in Ethereum being committed to staking, the biggest influx since the middle of 2023. A consistent upward trend was observed between August 14th and September 4th, culminating in a peak of 308,000 ETH on August 25th.
A seven-day moving average registering 150,000 ETH by August 30th reinforced positive market expectations. This rise in staking suggests both a decrease in available ETH supply and a solid level of trust from validators, with investors opting to stake ETH even at higher prices.
Ethereum staking inflow total | Source: CryptoQuant
Another promising indicator involves the continuing reduction of ETH quantities held on centralized crypto exchanges, which recently reached the lowest levels in many years.
With a diminished supply of ETH readily available for purchase, the risk of substantial market drops is reduced, potentially positioning Ethereum favorably as a possible next crypto to explode in 2025.
Ethereum’s Price: Recovery and Potential Growth?
Following a period of retracement after achieving a price point of $4,811.71, Ethereum appears to be exhibiting renewed upward momentum, according to market observers such as Javon Marks.
After meeting the $4,811.71 target, prices of $ETH (Ethereum) pulled back but bull signal(s) have confirmed, suggesting movement back to and above this target level!
With a break above this target, we could see an additional +77% run to $8,557.68… https://t.co/sDDNVSijoi pic.twitter.com/4uPpJHDsgS
— JAVON⚡️MARKS (@JavonTM1) September 15, 2025
Marks suggests that if Ethereum can successfully surpass the $4,811 mark, this could propel it toward $8,557.68, representing a potential increase of 77%.
The fact that Ethereum has remained above $4,500 may indicate that the correction period has concluded, potentially paving the way for further price gains.
Disclaimer: Coinspeaker is dedicated to delivering objective and clear reporting. The goal of this article is to provide precise and current information; however, it should not be considered as financial or investment recommendations. Considering the rapid changes in market conditions, we recommend independently verifying details and consulting a qualified expert prior to taking any action based on this material.
A crypto journalist with over 5 years of experience in the industry, Parth has worked with major media outlets in the crypto and finance world, gathering experience and expertise in the space after surviving bear and bull markets over the years. Parth is also an author of 4 self-published books.