ETHEREUM STRUGGLES TO HOLD GAINS: PRICE TARGETS $2,600 AMID WEAK LOW-VOLUME BOUNCE

Ethereum (ETH) is currently facing renewed selling pressure, with its recent attempt to rally losing steam quickly. As of late December 2025, ETH is down about 4.24% on the day and continues to trade in a challenging environment for buyers.

The cryptocurrency has repeatedly tried—and failed—to push and stay above a key resistance level known as the Point of Control (POC), which represents the price area with the highest trading volume over a given period. These consistent rejections highlight that buyers are lacking the strength and conviction needed to take charge.

What stands out is the noticeably low trading volume during the recent bounce. In healthy uptrends, recoveries are typically accompanied by strong buying interest and rising volume. The absence of this bullish participation suggests the upward move was weak and likely driven by short covering rather than genuine new demand.

As a result, the overall bearish market structure remains intact. Without a clear shift in momentum, Ethereum looks increasingly vulnerable to further declines. Traders are now closely watching the important support level around $2,600, which could come into play if selling pressure intensifies.

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While cryptocurrency markets are known for their volatility and quick reversals, the current setup favors caution for ETH holders and potential buyers. Keeping an eye on volume trends and key levels will be crucial in the coming sessions as the market searches for its next clear direction. Stay informed—these dynamics can create both risks and opportunities for patient investors.

Ethereum Price: Key Technical Takeaways

• POC rejection confirms resistance: Ethereum continues to fail above the Point of Control, reinforcing it as a strong resistance zone rather than a launch point for upside.
• Low-volume bounce signals weak demand: Recent rebounds have occurred on muted volume, suggesting corrective price action instead of a genuine trend reversal.
• $2,800 support at risk: A loss of this level increases the probability of a move toward $2,600, the lower boundary of the broader trading range.

Price Action Overview: Stabilization Without Strength

Ethereum’s latest price behavior shows attempts at stabilization, but without enough momentum to change the broader direction. Repeated false breakouts above the Point of Control stand out as a key feature of the current structure. Each push higher has been met with selling pressure, clearly defining the POC as overhead resistance.

From a volume-profile standpoint, this is an important signal. Sustainable reversals typically require expanding bullish volume to confirm strong market participation. In Ethereum’s case, the latest bounce lacks that confirmation, indicating the move is likely corrective rather than the start of a new impulsive leg higher.

Market Structure Still Favors the Bears

The broader market structure remains bearish, with Ethereum continuing to post lower highs and lower lows. Until this pattern is broken, rallies should be viewed as countertrend moves rather than trend shifts. In trending markets, price usually follows the dominant structure, which currently points to further downside risk.

As long as the Point of Control caps price, Ethereum is likely to rotate lower within its established range.

Key Levels to Watch: $2,800 and $2,600

The $2,800 level is acting as short-term support. A decisive break below this zone would signal acceptance at lower prices and strengthen the case for a continuation move toward $2,600.

The $2,600 area is especially important. It aligns with the prior swing low and the lower boundary of the higher-time-frame range. Markets often revisit such levels to test deeper demand and clear accumulated liquidity, making it a natural downside target if support fails above.

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Volume Signals and Market Psychology

The lack of strong buyer response near resistance suggests exhaustion rather than accumulation. Each rejection at the POC reinforces seller control, while the absence of follow-through buying reduces the odds of a near-term upside breakout.

This technical weakness contrasts with longer-term fundamentals, such as Bitmine’s ETH holdings surpassing 4 million and moving closer to its 5% supply target. The divergence highlights how short-term technical pressure can persist despite long-term accumulation narratives.

Outlook: What to Expect Next

As long as Ethereum trades below the point of control and bullish volume remains subdued, downside risk stays elevated. A confirmed break below $2,800 would likely open the door for a move toward the $2,600 range low.

Bullish invalidation would require a high-volume reclaim of the Point of Control and a clear break in the sequence of lower highs and lower lows. Until then, bearish continuation remains the higher-probability scenario.