Altseason At Risk? Expert Believes Ethereum Must Hold $2,600 To Sustain Momentum

Source Newsbtc

Ethereum is trading at crucial demand levels, facing intense selling pressure and struggling to reclaim the $2,800 mark. The recent price action has raised concerns among investors, who are trying to stay calm amid rising volatility but fear that Ethereum could drop further.

The broader crypto market sentiment remains divided, with Ethereum significantly underperforming Bitcoin and failing to build strong bullish momentum. Some analysts believe that ETH is at a make-or-break level, while others argue that a deeper correction is still possible.

Top crypto analyst Ali Martinez shared a technical analysis on X, suggesting that altseason could be canceled if Ethereum fails to hold the $2,600 level. Martinez highlights that this price acts as crucial support for ETH and the entire altcoin market. A breakdown below this level could lead to further declines, pushing ETH into lower demand zones and triggering a broader sell-off across altcoins.

With Ethereum struggling to regain strength, the next few days will be critical in determining its short-term direction. Bulls must step in and reclaim key levels to avoid further downside, while bears remain in control as long as ETH stays below $2,800.

Ethereum Price Testing Crucial Demand

Ethereum is trying to push above the $2,700 mark and hold above it to confirm the start of a recovery phase. However, the key resistance levels to reclaim remain between $2,800 and $3,000, which have acted as major supply zones in the past. Bulls are struggling to gain momentum, and Ethereum’s inability to break through these levels has led to increasing concerns about further downside risks.

Market analysts believe Ethereum’s next move will be crucial, as the market expects confirmation in either direction soon. Some analysts argue that Ethereum’s weakness relative to Bitcoin is a sign that altcoins are losing steam, while others believe that ETH could still have a chance to rally if key levels are reclaimed.

Martinez’s analysis states that the alt season will be canceled if Ethereum fails to hold the $2,600 level. This price serves as a long-term demand zone, and losing it would invalidate any bullish momentum across the altcoin market. Martinez explained that Ethereum has historically led altcoin rallies, and its failure to hold key support levels could trigger a broader sell-off in altcoins.

Ethereum long-term bullish structure | Source: Ali Martinez on X

Bulls must defend the $2,600 level at all costs to confirm a sustainable rally, as a break below it could trigger a broader market correction. If ETH manages to hold above current levels and reclaim $2,800–$3,000, it could signal the start of a bullish recovery. The next few days will be crucial for Ethereum’s short-term direction.

Price Action Details: Key Levels To Watch

Ethereum is trading at $2,680 after multiple attempts to reclaim the $2,700 level. Bulls are trying to push the price higher, but selling pressure remains strong, making it difficult for ETH to gain momentum. The next critical resistance level is at $2,800, and a break above this level would signal a potential bullish reversal. If ETH reclaims $2,800 and consolidates above it, a surge toward $3,000 could follow, bringing renewed optimism to the market.

ETH testing crucial demand | Source: ETHUSDT chart on TradingView

However, failure to hold the $2,600 level would be a bearish signal, suggesting that more downside risk is ahead. Losing this key demand level could trigger further selling pressure, leading to a potential drop into lower support zones around $2,400–$2,500. Investors are closely monitoring these levels, as Ethereum’s price action will determine whether a recovery rally can begin or if a deeper correction is in play.

For now, ETH remains range-bound, and a breakout in either direction could define the trend for the coming weeks. Bulls need to step in aggressively to regain control and avoid a prolonged bearish phase. The next few trading sessions will be crucial in determining Ethereum’s short-term price action.

Featured image from Dall-E, chart from TradingView

Disclaimer: For information purposes only. Past performance is not indicative of future results.
placeholder
Gold Price Forecast: XAU/USD climbs above $4,250 as Fed rate cut weakens US DollarGold price (XAU/USD) rises to seven-week highs near $4,275 during the early Asian session on Friday. The precious metal extends its upside as the US Federal Reserve’s (Fed) quarter-point rate cut drags the US Dollar (USD) lower. 
Author  FXStreet
Dec 12, Fri
Gold price (XAU/USD) rises to seven-week highs near $4,275 during the early Asian session on Friday. The precious metal extends its upside as the US Federal Reserve’s (Fed) quarter-point rate cut drags the US Dollar (USD) lower. 
placeholder
Ethereum Price Slips Lower — $3,000 Looms as the Key BattlegroundEthereum is attempting to recover from a $3,026 low but remains below $3,200 and the 100-hour SMA, with a bearish trend line near $3,175 capping rebounds as bulls need a clean break above $3,200 to target $3,250–$3,400, while a drop below $3,050 risks a retest of $3,000 and $2,940.
Author  Mitrade
Dec 15, Mon
Ethereum is attempting to recover from a $3,026 low but remains below $3,200 and the 100-hour SMA, with a bearish trend line near $3,175 capping rebounds as bulls need a clean break above $3,200 to target $3,250–$3,400, while a drop below $3,050 risks a retest of $3,000 and $2,940.
placeholder
December Santa Claus Rally: New highs in sight for US and European stocks?Historical data show a rising trend of US and European stocks in December. If the momentum is strong, fund managers may rush in with a buying frenzy.
Author  Mitrade
Dec 17, Wed
Historical data show a rising trend of US and European stocks in December. If the momentum is strong, fund managers may rush in with a buying frenzy.
placeholder
When is the BoJ rate decision and how could it affect USD/JPY?The Bank of Japan (BoJ) will announce its interest rate decision between 03.30 and 05.00 GMT, followed by Governor Kazuo Ueda's press conference at 06.30 GMT.
Author  FXStreet
Dec 19, Fri
The Bank of Japan (BoJ) will announce its interest rate decision between 03.30 and 05.00 GMT, followed by Governor Kazuo Ueda's press conference at 06.30 GMT.
placeholder
Pi Network Price Annual Forecast: PI Heads Into a Volatile 2026 as Utility Questions Collide With Big UnlocksPi Network heads into 2026 after a 90%+ 2025 drawdown from $3.00, with 17.5 million KYC users and a smart-contract-focused Stellar v23 upgrade offering upside potential, but 1.21 billion tokens unlocking and heavy exchange deposits (437 million PI) keeping supply pressure and trust risks firmly in focus.
Author  Mitrade
Dec 19, Fri
Pi Network heads into 2026 after a 90%+ 2025 drawdown from $3.00, with 17.5 million KYC users and a smart-contract-focused Stellar v23 upgrade offering upside potential, but 1.21 billion tokens unlocking and heavy exchange deposits (437 million PI) keeping supply pressure and trust risks firmly in focus.
goTop
quote