12 May 2025
Ethereum is gaining serious momentum after a powerful 45% surge last week, reclaiming key price levels and fueling speculation about the start of a broader altseason. The second-largest cryptocurrency by market cap is now pushing into critical resistance zones that could define the next leg of this rally. After months of underperformance and bearish sentiment, ETH’s sudden strength is shifting investor focus back toward the altcoin market, with analysts pointing to Ethereum’s breakout as a potential spark for widespread recovery across the sector.
Top analyst Daan shared a technical analysis highlighting the significance of Ethereum’s recent move. According to Daan, the massive weekly candle—one of the largest in years—was driven by a combination of technical breakout and short squeezes, as a large number of bearish positions were caught off guard.
This surge not only invalidated recent bearish structures but also marked a structural shift in momentum. With Ethereum now pressing into new territory and investor confidence rising, the market appears poised for renewed strength. If ETH continues to hold above current levels, it could pave the way for altcoins to follow in what may become the strongest altseason since 2021.
Ethereum Reclaims Strength As It Tests Key Resistance
Ethereum is finally showing signs of strength after months of sustained bearish pressure. Since late December 2024, ETH had been in a steady downtrend, losing more than 66% of its value as investors rotated into other assets amid macroeconomic uncertainty and dwindling altcoin demand. However, a major shift in sentiment emerged in early April, as Ethereum began climbing rapidly, gaining over 85% in just a few weeks. This rally has brought ETH back into critical resistance levels that could determine whether a sustained uptrend is now underway.
Daan highlighted the significance of this move, stating that Ethereum is now at a “big level.” He noted that last week’s price action produced the largest weekly candle in years—an explosive move fueled by a massive short squeeze. Months of built-up bearish positions were flushed out as the rally caught many by surprise, sending prices sharply higher.
Daan cautions that while the move is impressive, the next phase is about managing volatility: “Play this level by level,” he advises, “and watch for next week to develop to see where these alts are going to get picked up after the squeezes are done.”
This moment is crucial not only for Ethereum but also for the broader altcoin market. ETH’s recovery is often a leading indicator of renewed risk appetite and capital rotation into smaller assets. With bulls now in control and price pressing into a key supply zone, how Ethereum behaves over the coming days could determine whether altseason truly begins—or whether this rally was just a reaction to overly bearish positioning. Either way, ETH’s strength has put the market back on alert.
Technical View: Price Surges Above Weekly Moving Averages
Ethereum is showing clear signs of recovery on the weekly timeframe, breaking decisively above the 200-week exponential moving average (EMA) and simple moving average (SMA) for the first time since its downtrend began earlier this year. After reaching a weekly low below $1,400 just a few weeks ago, ETH has rallied aggressively, closing this week near $2,555—a 45% surge that marks its most explosive candle in over a year.
The chart shows ETH pushing past the 200-week EMA at ~$2,259 and reclaiming the 200-week SMA at ~$2,451. Analysts often use these two long-term trend indicators to distinguish between bear and bull market phases. Ethereum’s ability to close above both signals a potential shift in sentiment and structure, especially after months of lower highs and declining volume.
Volume on this breakout is also notable. The past two weeks have seen a significant uptick in participation, suggesting this move isn’t just a short squeeze, but potentially the start of a broader recovery trend. ETH still faces resistance in the $2,700–$2,800 zone, but reclaiming this range could open the door for a sustained rally into Q3. The next few candles will be key in confirming this bullish reversal.
Featured image from Dall-E, chart from TradingView