- ETH’s $2.6K resistance persists despite ETF inflows; institutions use ETFs for regulated crypto market exposure.
- BlackRock’s ETF buys ensure ETHA tracks ETH price, balancing shares and underlying assets amid rising institutional interest.
BlackRock, the world’s largest asset manager, purchased $52.8 million worth of Ethereum (ETH) through its iShares Ethereum Trust (ETHA) exchange-traded fund (ETF) this week, according to data from SoSoValue. The move highlights growing institutional interest in ETH, coinciding with a surge in U.S. Ethereum ETF inflows to their highest monthly level since December 2024.
The iShares Ethereum Trust allows investors to gain exposure to ETH’s price without holding the cryptocurrency directly. BlackRock’s purchase supports the fund’s holdings, ensuring its share price tracks ETH’s market value. Each ETF share represents fractional ownership of the underlying ETH held by the fund.
In May, U.S. Ethereum ETFs recorded nearly $280 million in net inflows—the highest monthly total in five months. Between May 19 and 23 alone, these products attracted $250 million, marking the strongest weekly performance since early February. Demand has remained consistent, with daily inflows reported since May 15.
Ethereum’s price stabilized near $2,500 during this period, reflecting balanced buyer-seller activity. ETHNews analysts attribute the steadiness partly to ETF-driven demand, which offsets retail selling pressure. BlackRock’s accumulation aligns with a broader trend: institutions now view ETH ETFs as a regulated gateway into crypto markets, particularly amid regulatory clarity for spot Ethereum ETFs expected later this year.
The sustained inflows suggest confidence in Ethereum’s long-term utility, including its role in decentralized finance (DeFi) and smart contracts. However, ETH’s price has yet to break decisively above $2,600, a resistance level tested multiple times in 2025. Market observers note that ETF activity could provide the liquidity needed to challenge this threshold.
Ethereum (ETH) – Price & Market Analysis – May 26, 2025
Ethereum (ETH) is currently trading at $2,544.00, down -0.33% on the day, with a weekly gain of +1.78% and a strong +42.47% rally over the past month. Despite this momentum, ETH remains -23.62% year-to-date and -32.15% below its level from one year ago, reflecting the sharp corrections earlier in the 2024 bear phase. The market capitalization sits at $307.13 billion, supported by $14.44 billion in 24h volume.
Technically, ETH is confronting a critical resistance zone near $2,600. A breakout could push prices to $2,720–$2,850, while support is seen at $2,520, and below that at $2,125. The overall setup shows ETH consolidating just under key resistance levels with neutral-to-bullish oscillators.
Key Market Catalysts:
- ETF inflows hit $248 million between May 19–23, with zero outflows, signaling strong institutional demand.
- Ethereum accumulation wallets now hold 21 million ETH, or 17.5% of the circulating supply, reflecting increased whale and long-term investor confidence.
- On-chain metrics show smart contract deployments reaching 2021 levels, indicating renewed network usage and DeFi/NFT expansion.
Sentiment remains split. Some analysts see a massive “cup and handle” on higher timeframes and forecast a run toward $4,100, while others point to the need for a decisive breakout above the 200-day moving average to invalidate the bearish case.
