Ethereum Drops 3% Amid Growing Whale Pressure — Is ETH on the Brink of a Breakout or a Bigger Dip?

Jakarta, Pintu News – Ethereum price is currently trading below the $3,000 level after failing to sustain a short-term recovery. The market remains in a cautious state as ETH moves in a narrow range.

The bulls are hoping to push the price to break above the $3,050 level – if successful, this could be a signal that the market will move further up.

However, if whale wallets start selling, ETH prices could potentially drop to the $2,800 range. The current market sentiment largely depends on the movements of the big players and the ability of buyers to regain control of the price above the $3,000 level.

Ethereum Price Drops 3.97% in 24 Hours

On December 18, 2025, Ethereum was trading at approximately $2,833, or around IDR 47,460,828 — down 3.97% over the past 24 hours. During this time, ETH hit a low of IDR 46,848,227 and a high of IDR 50,614,838.

At the time of writing, Ethereum’s market capitalization is around IDR 5,685 trillion, while its 24-hour trading volume has increased by 21%, reaching IDR 463.86 trillion.

Read also: Bitcoin Price Slows Down Today, But Institutional Investors Remain Strongly Supportive

Whale accumulation shows the strength of Ethereum’s support zone

The presence of Ethereum whales is an indicator that there is a strong support level around the current market price. On-chain data shows that accumulation by large holders has remained steady since June, despite high price volatility.

The average purchase price realized by the whales has now increased from around $1,560 to close to $3,000.

This gradual growth reflects the confidence of large investors in the ongoing consolidation phase. Historically, whales tend to defend price areas that are still within their average cost range.

As long as accumulation continues, this range is likely to be a barrier to a sharp drop in prices below that area.

Ethereum price faces crucial test after missing $3,000 level

Ethereum is now in a weak position after breaking below the previous support area. The latest chart data shows that ETH currently does not have a strong demand zone at the current price position.

Market watchers highlight the crucial level of $3,000, which is a potential turning point for the short-term trend.

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If the price manages to move steadily above this level, it could be a signal that buying interest is increasing again. However, the weak price below $3,000 only increases the downward pressure. If this pressure continues, ETH could slip further to the $2,800 level.

What Will Happen Next with ETH Price?

Ethereum price was briefly at $2,939, signaling a continued bearish trend as it is still moving below the crucial $3,000 level. This level used to serve as an important support, but now it acts as an obstacle and amplifies downside risks.

Technical indicators also support a negative outlook:

• MACD is still below the signal line, and both continue to move deeper into negative territory. This confirms selling pressure and a continuation of the downtrend.
• The RSI is currently at 36, slightly above the oversold zone, but yet to show any bullish divergence. This suggests that the upside potential is still limited unless a clear uptrend is established.

If ETH is able to break above $3,000 with strong volume, there is an opportunity to retest the price at $3,100. Despite the short-term pressure, Ethereum’s long-term outlook is still considered positive, which opens up the possibility of a bullish reversal going forward.

However, if rejection occurs below $3,000 again, ETH prices could potentially drop further to $2,800. If this level also fails to withstand the pressure, the decline could continue all the way down to $2,650.

FAQ

What is Ethereum (ETH)?

Ethereum (ETH) is a blockchain platform that allows developers to build and run decentralized applications and smart contracts.

Why is the Ethereum price currently below $3,000?

Ethereum price is below $3,000 due to the failure to sustain the price recovery and the mounting selling pressure in the market.

What is a ‘whale’ in the context of the Ethereum market?

In the context of the Ethereum market, ‘whale’ is a term used to describe a large investor or holder who owns a significant amount of Ethereum.

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*Disclaimer

This content aims to enrich readers’ information. Pintu collects this information from various relevant sources and is not influenced by outside parties. Note that an asset’s past performance does not determine its projected future performance. Crypto trading activities have high risk and volatility, always do your own research and use cold cash before investing. All activities of buying and selling bitcoin and other crypto asset investments are the responsibility of the reader.

Reference:

• Coingape. Ethereum Price Outlook Hinges on Whale Moves: Dump Below $2,800 or Reclaim Above $3K Next? Accessed on December 18, 2025