The roller-coaster ride of Ethereum over the past two years shows how fast-moving markets give and take away for one of crypto’s most important assets. Despite a savage bear market and the emergence of a chaotic DeFi, NFTs, and staking explosion, Ethereum has survived volatility to grow its ecosystem. Its value is still primed by tech upgrades, institutional adoption, and investor attitudes for 2025.
This analysis of Ethereum price cycles looks at how ETH has performed historically during each cycle from 2018 to 2025 and the primary drivers and indicators. These cycles are important to both speculators and long-term investors, as they offer a historical glimpse into potential investment opportunities.
How Long Is an Ethereum Cycle?
Like Bitcoin, Ethereum cycles in multi-year intervals of three to five years. The cycles are influenced by many factors, including the level of adoption and the overall macroeconomic situation. A typical cycle consists of four stages: accumulation, expansion, euphoria, and correction.
Table 1: Ethereum Cycle Lengths (2018–2025)
| Cycle | Years | Key Events | ETH Price |
| Bear | 2018-2019 | Post-2017 crash, accumulation | $80-$300 |
| Bull | 2020-2021 | DeFi, NFTs, EIP-1559 | $200-$4,800 |
| Reset | 2022-2023 | The Merge, FTX, and Terra collapse | $1,000-$2,000 |
| Growth | 2024-2025 | ETFs, Layer-2 adoption | $2,000-$4,000+ est. |
History does not exactly repeat itself, but it certainly has its patterns, which can be tracked by traders and analysts.
2018-2019 Bear Phase: Capitulation and Accumulation
Ethereum plunged by more than 84% from an all-time high of nearly $1,400 in January 2018. At its low in December 2018, ETH dropped to $80, down almost 94%. This period was a test of investor optimism. Projects needed to be adjusted to reduce liquidity.
Even as the gloom persisted, long-term-focused investors acquired cut-rate ETH on a quiet basis. This base would be a foundation for the next wave of growth.
2020 DeFi Summer: Catalysts Behind the Ethereum Price
Ethereum turned into the linchpin of the DeFi craze. Platforms such as Uniswap, Aave, and Compound introduced permissionless lending, borrowing, and trading, which translated to huge demand for ETH due to increasing gas fees.
Ethereum increased in value by around $500, starting from early 2020 lows near $200 to levels just below $700 by year’s end. DeFi locked billions in total value (TVL) and established Ethereum as the financial layer of Web3.
Table 2: Key DeFi Projects and Impact on ETH Price
| Project | Launch/Impact Year | Role in DeFi Boom | Effect on ETH Demand |
| Uniswap | 2018 / 2020 growth | Automated market making (DEXs) | Higher trading demand |
| Aave | 2020 surge | Lending/borrowing | Increased TVL usage |
| Compound | 2020 surge | Decentralised lending | Boosted ETH utility |
2021 Bull Run: NFTs, EIP-1559, and New Peaks
Ethereum’s role grew again in 2021, when it served as the hub for the NFT explosion. This was the time when the OpenSea, CryptoPunks, and Bored Ape Yacht Club platforms received a lot of attention. This led to an increase in ETH transactions.
The EIP-1559 upgrade fixed Ethereum’s monetary policy by introducing a base fee burn and, in turn, lowering the inflationary pressure. By the end of 2021, ETH had hit a record high of almost $4,800 as demand increased. This stage confirmed Ethereum’s solid status on the market.
2022-2023: The Merge, Staking, and Ethereum Price Reset
Ethereum reset again after the highs of 2021. The collapse of Terra and FTX tore through the market, pulling ETH back to the $1,000 to $1,500 range. This time was not just about setbacks; it also marked Ethereum’s most significant upgrade ever: The Merge.
By moving from PoW to PoS, Ethereum cut energy usage by orders of magnitude and unlocked staking yields. This was a show of resilience and a setup position for ETH as, literally, the inno-chain to grow.
2024-2025: ETFs, L2 Adoption, and Price Drivers
Ethereum stepped into a new era in 2024 with high institutional adoption. More accessible doors were opened to traditional investors by the listings of ETH exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in major markets. Meanwhile, Layer-2 solutions like Arbitrum and Optimism helped scale Ethereum while also reducing transaction fees and overall making the user experience better.
These catalysts, ETFs, scalability, and institutional adoption all still set the stage for ETH’s value prop as we cruise through 2025. If these trends continue, analysts believe that there could be a gradual expansion in the sector with cautious optimism for global conditions. For further insights, see Paybis’ coverage on ETFs hacks.
FAQs
What will 1 ETH be worth in 2030?Estimates differ, but ETH could soar past $10,000 in the long term, provided there is steady adoption of DeFi, NFTs, and institutional staking.
Why is Ethereum falling?Ethereum tends to drop throughout larger market sell-offs, lack of regulation, and when the network gets clogged up, slowing the transactions with hefty costs.
Should I hold or sell Ethereum?It would depend on your investment strategy. Historically, long-term holders reap greater rewards, but active traders have a chance of pulling in some early profits.
Is ETH a good buy right now?ETH remains a key holding in crypto, but investors need to consider a potential range of risk and timeframe when approaching the market and building into core positions.
Should I hold Ethereum or Bitcoin?
ETH is a key role player, especially in the innovation landscape. Bitcoin will always be a solid buy, and choosing between the two would depend on what you are looking to get out of your investment.