Ethereum: BlackRock buys $149mln of ETH, but sellers guard THIS zone

On-chain data showed whales rotating $31.7 million into staked Ethereum, locking over 40,000 stETH as BlackRock accumulated ETH during market volatility.

Large holders continued rotating capital into ETH staking.

One whale redeployed $31.7 million via Wintermute, then converted the funds into over 40,000 stETH, worth roughly $126 million.

That move locked the supply instead of keeping it liquid.

Alongside this, BlackRock added 46,851 ETH, valued near $149 million, over three consecutive days, reinforcing sustained accumulation.

Meanwhile, BitMine expanded its commitment by staking an additional 19,200 ETH. This pushed its total staked balance to 827,008 ETH, worth about $2.62 billion.

These figures mattered because staking and accumulation removed ETH from circulation.

As a result, immediate sell-side pressure continued to thin. Even so, the price did not react impulsively.

Ethereum coils between demand and supply

Ethereum [ETH] traded inside a clearly defined range, reflecting balance rather than weakness.

Sellers continued defending the $3,300–3,350 supply zone, where several recovery attempts stalled. Buyers, however, consistently stepped in near the $2,780–2,850 demand zone.

Recent pullbacks slowed around $2,800, then rebounded toward $3,100 without acceleration. This repeated behavior highlighted absorption.

Volatility narrowed as the price oscillated between these levels.

As a result, downside momentum weakened with each test of demand. Sellers struggled to force continuation.

Buyers also avoided chasing breakouts. Instead, they accumulated gradually. This range-bound structure aligned with growing staking activity.

Locked supply reduced panic selling. Consequently, price stability improved as the market waited for direction.

Exchange outflows quietly drain sell-side liquidity

Spot flow data reinforced the same narrative.

ETH continued posting persistent net outflows from exchanges. Recent daily figures showed withdrawals exceeding $52.3M, extending a multi-week trend. 

This matters because exchanges represent immediate selling venues. When ETH exits, sellers lose fast access to liquidity. Therefore, the circulating supply keeps tightening. 

However, price has not surged sharply. That detail signals accumulation rather than speculative chasing. Buyers absorb supply without forcing higher levels. 

Meanwhile, sellers fail to generate follow-through on dips.

Outflows remain steady rather than reactive. This consistency reduces downside risk. Each retracement meets thinner sell pressure. 

Consequently, ETH stabilizes faster after pullbacks, reinforcing the broader compression structure.

Leverage fades as risk resets

Derivatives data added another layer to the picture.

Open Interest declined by about 2.03%, settling near $40.64 billion.

That drop reflected leverage unwinding rather than aggressive short positioning. Importantly, the ETH price held firm during the reduction.

This limited forced liquidations and cooled volatility. As leverage exited, the market reset risk instead of amplifying moves.

Lower Open Interest reduced liquidation cascades during pullbacks. Consequently, downside moves lost speed and depth.

Combined with staking growth and exchange outflows, reduced leverage supported price stability. The market shifted from speculation toward positioning.

Overall, growing staking and accumulation activity pointed to rising conviction that downside risk remained limited at current levels.

Locked supply, persistent exchange outflows, and declining leverage continued to reduce selling pressure. Upside remained gradual, but structure favored stability over breakdowns.

Final Thoughts

• Ethereum’s structure increasingly reflected positioning rather than speculation, as staking, outflows, and leverage unwound together. That balance may continue limiting sharp downside, even if upside remains measured.
• The next break likely depends less on sentiment and more on whether this quiet accumulation persists.