- ETH options traders bet $7M on $6K targets by 2025 as SEC delays staking-enabled ETF decisions.
- Ethereum’s 70% surge faces test: Golden cross clashes with bearish OBV, exchange outflows hit $2.38B.
Ethereum (ETH) has risen 70% since April, climbing from lows near $2,400 to recent highs above $3,800. Analysts at Amberdata suggest the rally could extend toward $3,500-$6,000 by December 2025 if U.S. regulators approve staking features for spot Ethereum ETFs. However, mixed signals from derivatives markets and technical charts leave traders divided.
The SEC postponed decisions on staking-enabled ETH ETFs proposed by Grayscale and Hashdex, delaying rulings to between June and October. Amberdata’s Greg Magadini argues that allowing ETFs to offer staking rewards—currently yielding 3% annually—could attract institutional investors, boosting demand. “There’s no reason to call a top yet,” he wrote, pointing to recent bullish options activity.
Options Traders Target ETH $6,000
Data shows traders spent over $7 million last week on ETH call options tied to December 2025 expiries, focusing on $3,500 and $6,000 strike prices. These contracts, which profit if ETH surpasses those levels, indicate expectations for further gains.
Meanwhile, ETH withdrawals from exchanges accelerated since April, with 1 million ETH (worth $2.38 billion) moved to private wallets—a pattern often linked to long-term holding.
Ethereum’s daily chart recently formed a “golden cross,” where the 50-day moving average crosses above the 200-day average. This pattern has preceded rallies in past cycles.
However, analyst Income Sharks cautioned that ETH’s On Balance Volume (OBV), a measure of buying and selling pressure, has declined since May, suggesting weakening momentum. He also noted a potential “head and shoulders” pattern, which could signal a downturn if ETH breaks below $3,400.
Approval of staking-enabled ETFs remains uncertain. While the SEC has greenlit spot ETH ETFs without staking, adding yield-generating features would differentiate products in a competitive market.
Ethereum (ETH) – Real-Time Price & Technical Analysis – May 19, 2025
Ethereum is currently trading at $2,441.40, showing a -2.33% decline on the day, reflecting the broader weakness across the crypto market. Over the past week, ETH has lost -3.10%, although it remains +53.41% up in the last 30 days, confirming a strong rebound from its early-2025 lows.
However, it is still down -26.84% year-to-date and -22.01% over the past 12 months, which shows this surge is more of a structural recovery than a full-scale bull trend.
Technically, ETH is holding above the $2,400 support zone, but today’s drop below $2,500 suggests the asset may be entering a consolidation phase. Immediate resistance lies at $2,700–$2,880, and a breakout above those levels could see ETH target $3,000, especially if macro sentiment improves. Momentum indicators are neutral, and volume has surged by over 110%, hitting $30.4 billion, which could indicate a large rebalancing event.
