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Ethereum (ETH), the second-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, has experienced renewed downward pressure amid a widespread market crash. After reaching a mid-December high of $4,107—still below its November 2021 all-time high of $4,868—ETH slipped below $1,800, marking a 53% drop from its December peak. But while traders scramble to assess the depth of this current downturn, a new on-chain development has momentarily stolen the spotlight.

Is It Really The Ethereum Foundation?

A transaction flagged by on-chain analytics service Lookonchain raised alarms this week, suggesting an alleged liquidation risk for the Ethereum Foundation (EF). Lookonchain reported via X: “A wallet suspected to be Ethereum Foundation deposited 30,098 ETH ($56.08M) to Maker to lower the liquidation price 5 hours ago. Currently, this wallet has 100,394 ETH ($182M) on Maker, and the liquidation price is $1,127.06.”

The magnitude of the transaction—reportedly worth $56.08 million in ETH deposits—sparked widespread speculation about EF’s potential exposure. Lookonchain’s data implied that 30,098 ETH (approximately $182 million) was being used to back a MakerDAO vault with a liquidation threshold hovering around $1,127, a pivotal level givenETH’s recent price crash.

Chinese crypto news outlet Wu Blockchain was among the first to circulate the story. However, shortly thereafter, Wu Blockchain offered a clarification based on analytics from Arkham Intelligence.

The updated analysis indicates that the wallet’s connections to the Ethereum Foundation may have been overstated. The address, it appears, belongs to an early ETH investor who once interacted with EF’s official wallets but has since managed funds independently. The deposit of 30,098 ETH was presumably a strategic move to shore up collateral and lower the MakerDAO vault’s liquidation price during a market downturn.

Wu Blockchain noted via X: “Correction: Although 0x22…1246 was flagged by Arkam as a suspected Ethereum Foundation address, on-chain data confirms otherwise. While this address received a 4M DAI transfer from the Ethereum Foundation ETH Sale in May 2022, its transaction behavior and initial ETH funding trace back to jonny.eth (0xb76), indicating that it is more likely an early ETH investor rather than the Foundation itself. This address deposited 30,098 ETH into the MakerDAO vault today, with an outstanding debt position of 78,035,224.7182 DAI.”

While the liquidation price remains $1,127—a level that some observers believe could be tested if market pressures persist—there is currently no official evidence linking the vault to the Ethereum Foundation. Consequently, rumors of an EF liquidation seem to be unfounded, given the clarifications brought forth by Wu Blockchain based on Arkham data.

At press time, ETH traded at $1,925.

Featured image created with DALL.E, chart from TradingView.com

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Ethereum (ETH) has officially lost the $2,000 mark, trading below this key level for the first time since 2023 and reaching its lowest point since October 2023. The price plummeted as low as $1,750, marking a dramatic drop from its December 2024 high of $4,100. This staggering 57% decline has created a difficult environment for bulls, as Ethereum struggles to find stability amid growing selling pressure.

The broader crypto market downturn, driven by macroeconomic uncertainty and risk-off sentiment, has left ETH in a vulnerable position, with traders unsure whether a bottom has formed or if further downside is ahead. The sharp decline in Ethereum’s value has intensified bearish sentiment, making it one of the worst-performing major altcoins over the past few months.

According to Glassnode data, Ethereum is testing key levels below $2,000 and above $1,800 based on the MVRV Pricing Bands. Historically, this range has acted as a major support zone, and its ability to hold will be critical in determining Ethereum’s short-term price direction. If ETH fails to stabilize, the market could be in for another wave of selling, potentially pushing prices even lower.

Ethereum Tests Critical Support As Market Struggles

The entire crypto market has suffered a major breakdown, mirroring the decline in U.S. stock markets as trade war fears and uncertainty surrounding U.S. President Trump’s policies weigh heavily on investor sentiment. Macroeconomic instability and volatility have been the primary market drivers since the U.S. elections in November 2024, and current conditions suggest that this trend is far from over.

Rising global trade war concerns and erratic decision-making by the U.S. administration have further fueled fear and uncertainty, sending the U.S. stock market to its lowest levels since September 2024. This risk-off environment has translated into increased selling pressure across the crypto market, with Ethereum (ETH) struggling to hold critical support levels.

Top analyst Ali Martinez shared insights on X, highlighting that Ethereum is now testing key levels based on the MVRV Pricing Bands. According to on-chain data, ETH’s Realized Price currently sits at $2,060, a level that has acted as crucial support in previous cycles. If Ethereum fails to hold above this mark, the next major downside target is around $1,440, which would represent a substantial drop from current levels.

With market conditions still fragile, the next few trading sessions will be crucial in determining Ethereum’s short-term trajectory. If ETH can hold above $2,060, it may have a chance to stabilize and attempt a recovery. However, if selling pressure intensifies, the market could see Ethereum test significantly lower price levels, adding to the growing uncertainty among investors.

ETH Struggles Below $2,000

Ethereum is currently trading at $1,900, following days of heavy selling pressure that have led to significant losses. ETH has failed to hold key levels, with the price dropping as low as $1,750 just a few hours ago, marking one of its lowest points in months. With the market under continued bearish control, bulls are now racing to reclaim the $2,000 mark in an effort to stabilize price action and shift momentum toward a potential recovery phase.

For Ethereum to regain strength, it must hold above current levels and push past $2,000 quickly. A break above this key resistance zone would indicate renewed buying interest, reducing selling pressure and allowing ETH to attempt a more sustained recovery. However, if ETH fails to reclaim $2,000, the market is likely to see a continuation of the downtrend, with further declines expected.

With Ethereum in a fragile position, the next few days will be crucial in determining whether bulls can step in to reverse the trend or if ETH will slide into deeper correction territory. Traders are closely watching price movements, as Ethereum remains at risk of further downside if key levels are not regained.

Featured image from Dall-E, chart from TradingView

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• Ether dropped 9%, XRP fell 2%, and Dogecoin lost over 8% in 24 hours
• Investors react to Trump’s comments about a possible recession
• The US stock market lost more than $1.7 trillion in value

Crypto prices have fallen across the board, with Bitcoin dropping below $77,000 as investors continued to react to US President Donald Trump’s tariff policies and the Bitcoin reserve plan.

In the early hours of Tuesday, March 11, Bitcoin fell to $76,000, a figure not seen since last September. In a post on X, crypto trader Ali said:

“If #Bitcoin $BTC holds $80,000, the bull case remains strong. Losing this level, however, could put $69,000 in play as the next key support!”

If #Bitcoin $BTC holds $80,000, the bull case remains strong. Losing this level, however, could put $69,000 in play as the next key support! pic.twitter.com/PuqTrgKF0j

— Ali (@ali_charts) March 11, 2025

Bitcoin has risen slightly and is back up around $81,600 at the time of publishing, according to CoinMarketCap. Ether, on the other hand, was down over 9% in 24 hours to $1,920, XRP had fallen more than 2%, at $2.13, and Dogecoin was down over 8.81% to $0.1607.

The market reacts

News of the continued market sell-off comes as investors react to Trump’s trade tariffs, the announcement of the US Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, and the possibility of a recession.

Following Trump’s remarks, the US stock market lost more than $1.7 trillion in value yesterday. Elon Musk’s Tesla saw its shares drop by at least 15% to $222, losing over half its value from its December peak at $479.86. In a post on X, Musk said: “it will be fine long-term.”

Market conditions haven’t been helped by Trump’s trade tariffs on Canada, China, and Mexico. Last month, it was confirmed that Trump was imposing a 25% trade tariff on Canada and Mexico; however, this has been delayed until April 2. China had a 20% tariff levied against it.

BitMEX co-founder Arthur Hayes took to X to ask people to be “patient.”

“$BTC likely bottoms around $70k. 36% correction from $110k ATH, v normal for a bull market,” adding:

“Traders will try to buy the dip, if you are more risk averse wait for the central banks to ease then deploy more capital. You might not catch the bottom but you also won’t have to mentally suffer through a long period of sideways and potential unrealised losses.”