Large Ethereum [ETH] holders withdrew over 17,000 ETH from major exchanges within hours, intensifying accumulation signals across markets.
Tom Lee’s Bitmine withdrew 10,000 ETH from Kraken in a single transaction, removing a substantial block of liquidity from the exchange.
In a separate move, another newly created wallet pulled 7,000 ETH from Binance within the same time window.
The wallet now holds more than 7,100 ETH, reflecting concentrated positioning rather than short-term speculation. These back-to-back withdrawals highlight deliberate accumulation by large players.
By shifting ETH into private wallets, these entities reduce immediate sell-side supply and reinforce a tightening liquidity environment.
A structural turning point ahead?
Ethereum continues to trade within a long‑term descending channel on the daily chart, with price now testing the lower boundary of this structure. Key horizontal levels are marked at $2,797, $2,261, and $1,818.
Recently, ETH hovered around $1,954, sitting just above the $1,818 support zone, which closely aligns with the channel’s lower trendline.
However, sellers still control the broader structure until price reclaims mid-channel resistance. Buyers must defend this zone to prevent structural breakdown.
A sustained hold above $1,818 would maintain channel integrity. Conversely, a decisive breach would expose deeper downside risk toward prior demand zones.
Source: TradingView
Meanwhile, the MACD line at -198.86 has already crossed above the signal line at -223.98, at press time, confirming a bullish crossover on the daily timeframe.
Although both lines remain below the zero level, momentum clearly shifts in favor of buyers. The histogram printed green bars at 25.11, showing expanding positive momentum after a prolonged bearish phase.
This crossover signals that selling pressure has weakened considerably. Buyers now attempt to rebuild strength from deeply negative territory.
Importantly, this shift follows weeks of sustained downside movement inside the descending channel. If histogram expansion continues, momentum could support a broader relief move rather than a minor bounce.
Decoding ETH’s accumulation narrative
Spot netflow data shows persistent negative readings across recent sessions. The latest data, at press time, printed -$7.06 million, reflecting net outflows from exchanges.
Red bars dominate the chart, highlighting sustained capital migration off trading platforms. Large historical spikes also show heavy withdrawals during prior accumulation phases.
This consistent pattern strengthens the supply contraction thesis. When investors remove ETH from exchanges, they reduce immediate sell pressure.
Furthermore, outflows often precede structural stabilization phases. Although price remains under pressure, exchange balances continue shrinking.
This divergence between price weakness and capital outflow supports the broader whale accumulation argument.
Source: CoinGlass
Funding rates explode as leverage builds
At press time, Funding Rates were at 0.002620, reflecting a sharp +249.75% surge. Such elevated positive funding reveals aggressive long positioning in perpetual markets. Traders increasingly pay premiums to maintain long exposure.
This surge signals strong speculative conviction but also increases risk. Crowded long positioning can trigger volatility if the price fails to rebound.
However, leverage expansion often accompanies early recovery attempts. The divergence between spot accumulation and rising leverage creates a complex structure.
Whales absorb supply while derivatives traders amplify exposure. This dynamic sets the stage for heightened volatility as both sides test conviction.
Source: CryptoQuant
Are whales quietly building Ethereum’s base?
Whales continue absorbing ETH as exchange outflows persist and momentum begins stabilizing. Meanwhile, leveraged traders expand long exposure aggressively.
Price still trades within a descending channel, yet structural support holds near $1,818. If buyers defend this zone and momentum strengthens further, ETH could attempt a recovery toward mid-channel resistance.
However, failure to sustain support would increase liquidation risks given elevated funding levels.
Overall, coordinated accumulation and tightening supply suggest that large players are positioning for a potential stabilization rather than an immediate breakdown.
Final Summary
- Large holders continue removing supply from exchanges, signaling deliberate long-term positioning.
- However, sustained accumulation must align with structural strength to confirm a durable base.