Is Ethereum staking the new HODL after ETH’s price shoots past $4K?

Key Takeaways

Who’s driving Ethereum’s momentum?

Addresses holding 10K–100K ETH expanded holdings to 31 million, matching whale patterns seen before past bull runs.

What confirms growing confidence?

36.15M ETH staked and a positive Fund Market Premium near $3.9K signaled firm institutional sentiment.

Ethereum [ETH] recovered strongly after the recent market turmoil that drained capital from the crypto market. The altcoin, once down to $3,988, surged 7% in 24 hours to trade near $4,200.

An AMBCrypto analysis suggests that demand continues to build, with ETH’s latest rally reinforcing its path toward a potential new all-time high. Here’s how.

Accumulators take charge again

Data from Alphractal showed that addresses holding 10K–100K ETH have expanded their holdings since April, now near a record 31 million ETH.

Historically, similar accumulation phases preceded major bull runs in 2017 and 2021, when ETH hit $1,419 and $4,867, respectively.

Source: Alphractal

This latest uptick highlights the same cohort’s growing influence as ETH extends its rally beyond the $4,000 mark.

On top of that, other market segments appear to be mirroring this bullish accumulation trend.

Staking strengthens ETH’s floor

The odds in favor of a strong ETH rally remain high. One key indicator supporting this outlook is the Total Value of Staked Ethereum.

Interestingly, the data showed that the total amount of Ethereum staked in the market reached 36.15 million in the past day, nearly matching the amount purchased by the accumulation group.

Staked ETH is crucial because it represents tokens removed from active circulation; a continued rise in staking generally signals increasing confidence and reduced sell pressure, both of which strengthen the asset’s position in the market.

Source: CryptoQuant

Similarly, Ethereum Exchange Reserves remained flat over the past day. Data from CryptoQuant showed that only about 15.9 million ETH remain in exchange reserves, suggesting limited selling pressure and stronger holding sentiment.

With a 7% rally in the past 24 hours and ETH trading around $4,200, renewed institutional inflows could trigger the next upward leg.

Institutional sentiment remains firm

CryptoQuant’s Fund Market Premium stayed in positive territory despite brief corrections, signaling persistent institutional interest.

Historically, when this premium held above 0, ETH prices trended upward within subsequent weeks.

Source: CryptoQuant

That same setup pointed to renewed institutional conviction even as short-term volatility remains elevated.

Cumulatively, Ethereum’s whales, stakers, and funds remain aligned for a medium-term bullish continuation, with momentum strengthening above $4,200 as long as macro tailwinds persist.