Ethereum (ETH) is flashing strong bullish signals, optimism that the asset could rally to $3,000 this week. With a clean breakout above $2,700 for the first time in a month and a favorable technical structure, Ether now sits at a pivotal point. Add to that increasing institutional interest and a possible shift in Bitcoin dominance, and the stage could be set for the long-awaited altcoin season.
Let’s break down the key reasons why ETH may be preparing for a major breakout.
ETH Breaks Past $2,700: A Bullish Signal
Ethereum closed above the critical $2,700 mark on Wednesday and maintained that momentum into Thursday, reaching $2,821 during Asian trading hours. This marks the highest ETH price since mid-June and reflects the strength of the ongoing bullish trend. The upward trajectory is underpinned by strong fundamentals and macro crypto trends that now favor altcoins.
Bitcoin Dominance Weakens as ETH Strengthens
According to Swissblock’s latest analysis, Ether is showing a much stronger performance against Bitcoin than it did in Q2. The ETH/BTC pair is gaining momentum, and historical patterns suggest that such strength can act as a trigger for broader altcoin rallies.
Swissblock noted a critical 72-hour window, during which ETH’s sustained strength could mark the true start of altseason—a period where altcoins outperform Bitcoin. The shift also coincides with declining Bitcoin dominance, often seen as a key catalyst for altcoin rallies.
ETH’s rising relative strength compared to Bitcoin resembles patterns seen in early May, when altcoins staged their first major recovery since the April market correction.
Institutional Inflows Hit Multi-Month Highs
Ethereum’s recent gains are not just driven by retail enthusiasm. Institutional investors are clearly showing interest, with CME Ether futures open interest rising to $3.27 billion—the highest level since early February. This reflects growing confidence among professional investors and fund managers who are positioning themselves for continued ETH price appreciation.
Additionally, spot Ethereum ETFs have experienced eight consecutive weeks of net inflows, with over 61,000 ETH accumulated during that period. The simultaneous rise in futures and ETF inflows provides strong validation that Ethereum’s rally is being fueled by more than just short-term speculation.
Technical Indicators Favor a Breakout
On the technical side, ETH shows a bullish market structure and appears poised to break through a key resistance zone between $2,650 and $2,750. This zone has acted as a firm ceiling since May, but ETH is now pressing against it with increasing volume and strength.
A successful flip of this range could open the doors to a quick rally to $3,000, a psychologically important price level. What’s more, trading volume data indicates a low-volume area between $3,000 and $3,300. These low-liquidity zones often result in rapid price moves if bullish momentum continues.
The daily Relative Strength Index (RSI) is above 60, indicating strong buying pressure. Ethereum is also trading above its 50-, 100-, and 200-day exponential moving averages, which typically signals ongoing bullish sentiment among traders.
Risks: Leverage and Pullbacks Remain Possible
Despite the optimism, there are still risks to consider. Open interest in ETH futures surged 10.6% on Tuesday, indicating increased leveraged positions in the market. Historically, such spikes in leverage have often led to short-term price pullbacks due to forced liquidations.
Crypto analyst Maartunn noted that 11 out of the last 13 leverage spikes resulted in price retracements. If ETH fails to hold above the $2,750 level, a short-term pullback to around $2,375 remains a real possibility, especially if leveraged positions unwind.
The next few trading sessions will be critical. If Ethereum can clear the $2,750–$2,800 range convincingly, a march toward $3,000 becomes increasingly likely. However, if momentum fades, we could see another round of sideways consolidation.
What to Watch Next
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$2,750 Resistance: This remains the key level to flip. If ETH can close above this zone on high volume, expect a strong push toward $3,000.
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Bitcoin Dominance: Continued decline in BTC dominance is favorable for ETH and altcoins in general.
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Institutional Flows: Watch CME futures and ETF inflow data for signs of sustained interest.
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Leverage Risk: If open interest continues to climb, traders should be cautious of sudden liquidations.
Conclusion
Ethereum’s path to $3,000 is becoming clearer, supported by strong institutional inflows, declining Bitcoin dominance, and favorable technicals. With altseason potentially around the corner and ETH breaking key resistance levels, all eyes are now on whether the momentum can hold.
The coming days could define Ethereum’s trajectory for the rest of July. A decisive breakout could not only take ETH past $3,000 but also ignite a broader rally across the altcoin market.
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