The recent Ethereum price rejection that pushed it back below the $4,000 level has created a concerning trend that could send the price spiraling. The major point of interest lies at the 0.618 Fibonacci retracement level, where the last rejection occurred. Given this, it is likely that the Ethereum price could see more declines in the coming days, although there is still the possibility of the bulls taking over and invalidating the entire bearish setup.

Ethereum Price Is Showing A Lot Of Weakness

The rejection from the 0.618 Fibonacci retracement level marked the start of the decline from the $4,200 level during the last recovery. This rejection resulted in the formation of a lower high on the 4-hour timeframe, and historically, such lower high formations mean that there is more selling pressure piling up for the digital asset.

As the bullish momentum looks to be fading, it puts the Ethereum price in a precarious position. Crypto analyst The Alchemist Trader explains that the rejection had come with increased bearish volume as investors offloaded their holdings on the market, putting bears in charge once again.

Following this development, the Ethereum price has continued to struggle around $3,900, where the next local support lies. The cryptocurrency has maintained a tentative hold at best on this local support, suggesting that the bulls could indeed be losing ground at this level.

If this corrective phase continues, then the Ethereum price decline is far from over. The current local weakness has put a strain on the support, and if $3,900 fails completely, the next major support lies below $3,400, more specifically at $3,385. This will serve as the next stronghold for the bulls to make their move.

“From a structural perspective, Ethereum’s inability to sustain momentum signals growing bearish pressure across lower timeframes,” the crypto analyst explained.

The Case For ETH Bulls

Despite the mounting bearish pressure, there is still the possibility that the Ethereum price could break out of this downtrend. Just like with the bearish case, the key lies at the $3,900 support and how well it holds.

In the case that bulls are able to reclaim and hold this support with momentum, then it could invalidate the bearish setup that has emerged. In this case, the crypto analyst believes that the Ethereum price could resume its uptrend above the 0.618 Fibonacci retracement level.

Ethereum (ETH) remains under pressure, trading below the $4,000 mark as bulls attempt to reclaim control following weeks of post-crash uncertainty. The sharp sell-off on October 10 not only flushed leveraged positions across the market but also disrupted the uptrend ETH had been building throughout the summer.

Since then, price action has weakened, and momentum has shifted toward the downside, raising concerns among analysts that a deeper correction could unfold if buyers fail to defend key demand levels in the days ahead.

Despite these technical challenges, on-chain and institutional flow data tell a different story beneath the surface. Large-scale investors — including funds, corporate entities, and crypto-native institutions — continue to accumulate ETH during the pullback.

The divergence between price weakness and institutional accumulation creates a pivotal setup for Ethereum. If ETH can stabilize and reclaim the $4,000 threshold, it may re-ignite bullish momentum. But failure to hold support could open the door to further downside before a sustainable recovery emerges.

Bitmine Adds ETH as Institutional Accumulation Climbs

According to data tracked by Lookonchain, institutional player Bitmine has continued its aggressive accumulation strategy. Purchasing 44,036 ETH — worth approximately $166 million — during the recent market pullback.

This purchase lifts Bitmine’s total holdings to roughly 3.16 million ETH, valued at around $12.15 billion, reinforcing the company’s position as one of the largest Ethereum holders globally. Such sizeable buying activity during periods of price weakness highlights a notable divergence between institutional behavior and short-term market sentiment.

While retail traders and leveraged participants may be shaken by Ethereum’s inability to reclaim the $4,000 level, long-horizon buyers appear unfazed. For them, price dips represent accumulating opportunities rather than reasons for concern.

This duality is becoming increasingly evident across the market: spot inflows, exchange outflows, and whale accumulation metrics all point to growing long-term conviction, even as the chart reflects hesitation and downward pressure.

This divergence underscores a familiar pattern in crypto market structure. Price action often lags underlying fundamentals, particularly during transitional phases where macro catalysts and liquidity shifts are still being digested. Ethereum remains structurally supported by rising institutional participation, increasing staking demand, and expanding Layer-2 ecosystems — all of which strengthen its long-term investment thesis.

Ethereum Tests Key Support

Ethereum (ETH) is trading around $3,847, testing a critical support zone after failing to hold above $4,000 and rejecting from the $4,200 resistance area earlier this week.

The daily chart shows ETH breaking below both the 50-day (blue) and 100-day (green) moving averages, signaling weakening momentum and a shift toward a more defensive market posture. This breakdown places increased pressure on bulls to defend the $3,800 region — a level that has repeatedly acted as a pivot point over the past two months.

If ETH loses this support, the next meaningful demand zone lies near $3,500, followed by the 200-day moving average around $3,200, which would serve as a deeper structural retest within the longer-term uptrend. For now, however, ETH remains above its long-term trend line, meaning the broader bullish structure is intact despite short-term weakness.

On the upside, bulls need to reclaim $4,000 and then $4,150–$4,200 to revive bullish momentum and break the series of lower highs forming since September. Until that happens, price action favors consolidation and caution. With macro shifts underway and institutional accumulation rising, Ethereum’s chart suggests a wait-and-see phase, where holding support becomes crucial before any renewed upside attempt.

Featured image from ChatGPT, chart from TradingView.com

Ethereum is once again testing the strength of its key support band around the $3,700 zone, a level that has acted as a crucial lifeline for bulls in recent months. With momentum fading after repeated rejections near resistance, speculations are whether buyers can step in to spark a renewed push upward or if a deeper correction is on the horizon.

ETH Pulls Back After Golden Pocket Rejection

In his latest market update, Luca shared insights on Ethereum’s current technical setup, noting that the asset recently faced rejection at the high-timeframe resistance zone he had highlighted in earlier analyses. This rejection aligns with the golden pocket between the 0.5 and 0.618 Fibonacci points of interest (POIs). Following this rejection, Ethereum’s price has retreated into the broader accumulation range marked in green on his chart.

According to Luca, this accumulation zone has served as a strong reversal area in recent months, providing crucial support whenever price corrections intensified. It also coincides with the Weekly Bull Market Support Band, reinforcing its importance as a potential turning point in Ethereum’s next major move.

Despite this, the analyst cautioned that the current market structure appears vulnerable to a breakdown. Luca emphasized that while he remains optimistic about Ethereum’s long-term potential, if the breakdown is confirmed, he plans to stay objective by hedging part of his spot holdings. Doing so, he believes, would help reduce exposure to downside volatility while keeping capital ready to re-enter the market once a more sustainable bullish reversal emerges.

Luca concluded by reiterating his adaptive trading strategy, a balance between flexibility and discipline. By maintaining moderate cash positions and exposure to defensive assets, he ensures the ability to act quickly when clear opportunities arise while safeguarding capital during volatile market phases.

Ethereum Holds The Mid-Range Support Zone Between $3,600–$3,700

According to GrayWolf6, Ethereum is currently trading within a defined range between $3,900 and $3,100, with the price recently touching the mid-range support area around $3,600–$3,700. He noted that the Stochastic RSI is flashing a bullish signal, hinting at the potential for a short-term rebound from this zone as buyers begin to regain momentum.

GrayWolf6 further explained that since ETH reached $4,250 just a few days ago, another move toward the upper band remains a possibility. Should the price reclaim strength, the next upside target could extend to around $5,200.

Despite this optimistic outlook, the analyst cautioned that Ethereum remains confined within the lower range, keeping the downside risk near $3,100 in play. He mentioned taking profits on his earlier short position and is now watching closely for signs of a bounce from this intermediate support level. For him, the strategy remains steady, risk-managed, positions hedged, and the next move is patiently waiting.

Ethereum (ETH) is struggling to break above the $4,000 mark and regain a clear bullish structure, with price action tightening after several failed attempts to reclaim momentum. The market remains cautious following recent volatility, and traders are watching closely to determine whether ETH will resume its uptrend or continue drifting lower. Analysts are currently split: some argue Ethereum’s fundamentals remain strong, fueled by network activity, scaling advancements, and institutional traction, while others point to increasing downside pressure and weakening market structure that could lead to a deeper pullback.

Despite the uncertainty in price, fresh on-chain data signals growing confidence among long-term participants. According to Santiment, more than 200,000 ETH — worth approximately $780 million — have been withdrawn from exchanges over the past 48 hours, marking one of the largest short-term outflow spikes this quarter. Such activity typically suggests accumulation, as investors move assets into self-custody rather than keeping them on exchanges to sell.

This divergence between price hesitation and heavy accumulation reinforces the current market debate. With liquidity dynamics shifting, Ethereum sits at a pivotal moment, and its ability to reclaim $4,000 will likely determine whether bullish momentum re-emerges heading into November.

Large ETH Withdrawals Signal Investor Conviction As Market Shifts Toward Risk-On Environment

The recent wave of large Ethereum withdrawals from exchanges further reinforces a growing theme in the market: investor conviction is strengthening. With more than 200,000 ETH moved into self-custody within 48 hours, many participants appear confident in Ethereum’s medium-term outlook, suggesting accumulation rather than distribution. Historically, substantial exchange outflows have coincided with accumulation phases ahead of major market advances, especially when paired with favorable macro shifts.

For many analysts, Ethereum now sits at the center of a potential bullish impulse across altcoins. Despite its recent struggle to convincingly reclaim the $4,000 level, sentiment in the broader market remains constructive. ETH continues to benefit from fundamental tailwinds, including increasing network utility, expanding Layer-2 activity, and rising staking participation. If market conditions turn decisively risk-on, Ethereum’s role as the primary settlement and liquidity hub for the altcoin ecosystem positions it to lead capital flows.

Macro conditions are also aligning in ETH’s favor. With the Federal Reserve cutting interest rates by 25 basis points and signaling the end of quantitative tightening, global liquidity is expected to gradually improve. Historically, shifts toward monetary easing have accelerated inflows into risk assets — crypto included. As traditional markets anticipate a clearer pivot, investors may increasingly seek exposure to high-beta assets with strong structural narratives, and Ethereum fits that profile.

Ethereum Holds $3,900 as Price Compresses Below Key Moving Averages

Ethereum (ETH) is trading near $3,905, holding a key support region but struggling to reclaim upside momentum as price remains capped beneath major moving averages. After failing to sustain moves above the $4,200 resistance area earlier this month, ETH has drifted lower into a tightening range, reflecting indecision and reduced volatility following recent macro-driven swings.

The chart shows ETH trading below both the 50-day (blue) and 100-day (green) moving averages, which currently sit just above price and are acting as dynamic resistance. For bulls, reclaiming these levels — particularly a daily close above $4,050–$4,150 — would be a constructive sign that momentum is shifting back in favor of buyers. Such a reclaim could open a path toward retesting $4,300–$4,500, where recent supply pressure has consistently emerged.

On the downside, the $3,800 level remains the primary support to watch. A sustained break below this zone could expose ETH to lower levels near $3,500, especially if broader market sentiment weakens. However, the 200-day moving average (red) remains well below the price near $3,200, signaling that the long-term bullish structure is still intact.

Featured image from ChatGPT, chart from TradingView.com

Ethereum’s scaling era is evolving, and Linea is emerging as one of its most important pillars. By enabling faster, cheaper transactions while maintaining full ETH security and composability, Linea is building the infrastructure for real economic activity.

Why Ethereum Needs An Economic Backbone

Linea is rapidly evolving into the Ethereum economic backbone. Crypto analyst Henry has revealed on X that Linea was built from first principles as a reinforcement layer for ETH’s future. The reason why Linea is catching serious attention is that over $1 billion in Total Value Locked (TVL) and $130 million in stablecoins represent real liquidity inflow into the network, not inflated metrics. 

Furthermore, Linea’s buyback and burn mechanism ties are built directly into protocol revenue. MetaMask’s deep integration and the seamless user experience (UX) are instant reach, and the developer-first architecture actually scales without breaking ETH’s security. The rumors of a MASK airdrop and upcoming institutional deployments only add fuel to the narrative. 

While others are chasing hype, LineaBuild is constructing the infrastructure that powers real revenue. Henry concluded that every stat is screaming one thing, and adoption is real. “Nothing can defeat this, and Linea is ETH’s execution layer for the next cycle,” the expert added.

Crypto analyst BullifyX has also made a bold declaration that the next evolution of Web3 is unfolding right on LineaBuild. Linea isn’t just another Layer 2 blockchain, but it’s a new foundation for scalability, speed, and developer freedom. With zkEVM precision, ultra-low gas, and ETH-grade security, Linea bridges the gap between innovation and accessibility.

Furthermore, LineaBuild is a frictionless playground for builders, while for users, it delivers pure performance. BullifyX emphasizes that Linea’s role is to transform complex blockchain experiences into smooth, scalable realities, powering applications, digital economies, and the immersive metaverses. “The future doesn’t wait. It scales on LineaBuild.” BullifyX noted.

The First Public Company Just Proved Ethereum’s Real-World Use Case

In a monumental shift, the institutional adoption of Ethereum had just leveled up. According to Stacy Muur, the founder of GREENDOTS, the catalyst for this advancement is the deployment of an impressive $200 million in ETH on LineaBuild by SharpLink, a publicly traded company, powered by EigenLayer’s EigenCloud, ether_fi restaking, and Anchorage for secure, regulated custody.

Muur explained that this is the first fully verifiable, ETH-aligned institutional treasury activation. Meanwhile, a public company is now using EigenCloud as infrastructure for staking and verifiable on-chain treasury management. This suggests that the ETH restaking economy is robust enough to regulate capital.

• Cronos EVM v1.5.0 has officially debuted today, October 30.
• The upgrade introduces new EVM opcodes, smart accounts, and enhanced interoperability.
• Smarturn targets a more flexible, faster, and developer-friendly blockchain.

The Cronos blockchain has announced the launch of its anticipated Smarturn upgrade, welcoming a new era in its network evolution.

The update brings significant improvements across Cronos’s Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM), including increased interoperability, enhanced ecosystem performance, and smooth wallet functionality.

According to the announcement:

This mainnet upgrade marks a major leap in Cronos’ evolution – unlocking smart accounts, new EVM features, and improved performance for developers and users alike.

🚀 Cronos EVM upgrade complete — “Smarturn” is here!

This mainnet upgrade marks a major leap in Cronos’ evolution — unlocking smart accounts, new EVM features, and improved performance for developers and users alike.

Here’s what’s new 👇 pic.twitter.com/6Vi4K8BUbL

— Cronos (@cronos_chain) October 30, 2025

The blockchain temporarily paused operations for roughly 60 minutes to integrate the new components.

Meanwhile, services are resuming gradually as the Cronos ecosystem undergoes a key milestone.

Smarturn aims to revolutionize Cronos through speed and compatibility using its unique innovations.

Smarter accounts arrive on Cronos

The high-end EIP-7702 smart account support is at the core of Cronos’ latest upgrade. With this feature, regular user wallets (Externally Owned Account (EOA) can perform like smart contract wallets.

That helps unlock capabilities previously possible via different accounts. According to the official blog:

EIP-7702 bridges this gap by letting EOAs act like smart contracts. The assigned contract code remains valid until the account issues a new authorization, which can apply to one chain or to multiple chains simultaneously.

Individuals can now perform different activities without changing account types, including using flexible gas payment methods, personalizing permissions, batching many transactions, and programming wallet behavior.

With EIP-7702, Cronos joins the few EVM-compatible platforms boasting such a level of account abstraction, merging automated control with simplicity.

The functionality will advance DeFi platforms and decentralized applications (dApps) on the Cronos blockchain through efficiency and user-friendliness.

Performance sees a massive boost

Furthermore, Cronos upgraded its EVM’s VM to operate on go-Ethereum v1.15.11, aligning with Ethereum’s Prague and Cancun upgrades.

The update aims to make contract execution and transacting cheaper and faster.

Also, it brings comprehensive client improvements and new EVM opcodes on Cronos to enhance efficiency, developer experience, and debugging. The team added:

These opcodes collectively make contract execution more efficient for complex DeFi, gaming contracts that handle multiple operations per transaction, and other computation-heavy applications.

Together, these upgrades make the Cronos EVM runtime faster, lighter, and more developer-centric.

Enhanced interoperability and tools

Smarturn also improves infrastructure for cross-chain builders and developers.

For instance, a new RPC endpoint enables the fetching of full block data in a single query.

That’s a win for dApp backends, analytics dashboards, and blockchain explorers.

Moreover, the mempool now allows users to cancel or speed up pending transactions.

That improves responsiveness amid massive network load.

Also, Cronos has adopted IBC v2 through ibc-go v10.1.1 to bolster cross-chain communication.

CRO price outlook

The alt hovered at $0.1470 after dropping roughly 1.5% the past 24 hours.

Its daily trading volume has collapsed by more than 60%, signaling faded enthusiasm.

Nonetheless, CRO reflects the broader sentiments.

Bitcoin trades below the key $110,000 after shedding nearly 3% of its value over the previous 24 hours.

Markets lost momentum after Powell’s cautious remarks concerning a rate cut in December.

The post Cronos (CRO) rolls out “Smarturn” upgrade for advanced EVM features appeared first on CoinJournal.

Ethereum (ETH) is struggling to reclaim higher levels as the broader crypto market consolidates following the recent crash. Despite short-term weakness, several analysts suggest that ETH may be entering a bullish accumulation phase, with price action stabilizing around the key $4,000 level—a zone that has historically served as both strong resistance and support. The asset’s resilience amid market uncertainty reflects growing confidence in Ethereum’s long-term fundamentals and network activity.

Adding to the intrigue, on-chain data from Lookonchain revealed that an Ethereum ICO participant has re-emerged after nearly eight years of dormancy, transferring 1,500 ETH—worth approximately $6 million—to Kraken for the first time. This wallet originally received 20,000 ETH during Ethereum’s 2015 genesis sale, purchased for roughly $6,200, which would now be valued at more than $80 million.

Such rare movements from early holders often capture the market’s attention, as they can signal renewed engagement or strategic repositioning. While Ethereum’s price remains in a consolidation phase, the network’s long-term value narrative—driven by layer-2 scaling, staking growth, and DeFi activity—continues to strengthen. If the current range holds, ETH could be positioning for a recovery as market confidence rebuilds.

Dormant Ethereum Whale Awakens After 8 Years

According to a recent report by Lookonchain, an early Ethereum participant—identified as wallet 0x3690—has resurfaced after nearly eight years of inactivity, sparking renewed discussions across the crypto community. This address was one of the original Ethereum ICO wallets, receiving 20,000 ETH at genesis in 2015 for a total investment of just $6,200. At current prices, that stash would be worth roughly $80.42 million, representing an extraordinary 12,971x return.

On October 27, 2025, the wallet sent 1,500 ETH (around $6 million) to Kraken, marking its first-ever on-chain movement since Ethereum’s launch. Such activity from early holders often raises questions about investor sentiment and potential market shifts—especially as the broader crypto market remains in a fragile consolidation phase.

While the transfer does not necessarily signal an immediate sell-off, it underscores how long-term participants are beginning to reposition as Ethereum hovers near the $4,000 level. Analysts suggest that the coming weeks will be decisive for the market, as both Bitcoin and Ethereum approach critical technical and psychological thresholds ahead of the US Federal Reserve’s next policy decisions.

If Ethereum manages to hold its current range and sustain network engagement, it could confirm the start of a new bullish accumulation phase. Conversely, a breakdown below support might extend the correction before a stronger rebound forms later in the quarter. In either case, this event serves as a reminder of Ethereum’s resilience—and how early conviction in the network’s vision has yielded historic returns for those who held through multiple cycles. The market now watches closely to see whether this renewed on-chain activity signals a turning point or a moment of reflection before the next major move.

Ethereum Struggles To Break $4,200 As Consolidation Tightens Around Key Support

Ethereum (ETH) is trading near $3,993, attempting to regain strength after weeks of sideways action. The chart shows ETH struggling to break above the $4,200 resistance, a level that has repeatedly rejected price advances since early October. The 50-day moving average (blue) currently aligns with this resistance, reinforcing it as a critical barrier that bulls must clear to confirm a short-term reversal.

Below, the 100-day (green) and 200-day (red) moving averages provide solid structural support near $3,800 and $3,300, respectively. The convergence of these levels suggests that Ethereum remains in a broad consolidation range, with limited momentum on either side as the market digests recent volatility.

A decisive close above $4,200 could open the path toward $4,500–$4,700, where liquidity from previous highs remains. Conversely, a breakdown below $3,800 would expose ETH to deeper retracements toward the $3,500 zone, where buyers previously stepped in during September’s correction.

Market sentiment appears cautious but not bearish. Ethereum’s ability to hold near the $4,000 psychological level despite the broader market slowdown indicates resilience. As macro uncertainty persists, ETH’s next move will likely depend on whether buying pressure strengthens ahead of the Federal Reserve’s policy update this week.

Featured image from ChatGPT, chart from TradingView.com

• “Ethereum for Institutions” helps businesses integrate with the Ether ecosystem.
• The new platform showcases Ethereum’s role in DeFi, L2 scaling, and RWAs.
• ETH eyes rebounds as whales accumulate.

The Ethereum Foundation has announced a new website, Ethereum for Institutions, designed to guide businesses on how to operate on-chain.

Unveiled today, October 29, the site aims to supercharge Ethereum adoption among top companies.

The official announcement reads:

Ethereum is the neutral, secure base layer where the world’s financial value is coming on-chain. Today, we’re launching a new site for the builders, leaders, and institutions advancing this global movement.

The foundations Enterprise Acceleration team created the new website to present a clear framework for firms interested in building and investing in the second-largest cryptocurrency.

New resource: https://t.co/F0O6v6oNxr

A hub with live ecosystem data, sector overviews, and primary sources for institutions exploring Ethereum. pic.twitter.com/I4qJG90lUb

— Ethereum (@ethereum) October 29, 2025

Ethereum for Institutions offers case studies, resources, and access to industry leaders shaping the next phase of DeFi.

Scaling Ethereum for enterprise utility

Scalability has been among the primary challenges in Ethereum’s push for institutional-grade adoption.

Meanwhile, its L2 ecosystem, comprising projects like Arbitrum, zkSync, Base, and Optimism, is addressing that.

The foundation revealed that Layer2s secure more than $50 billion in value. The team said:

With $50B+ in total value secured, L2s provide the high-throughput, low-cost execution needed for global-scale applications – from payments to tokenization.

These platforms have gained traction for offering low costs and high throughput essential for enterprise-level utility, including real-world assets tokenization, trading, and payments.

Notably, the new website features a comprehensive L2 segment showcasing how these solutions are enabling cheaper and faster transactions while leveraging Ethereum’s robust security.

Layer 2 platforms offer the infrastructure for businesses navigating decentralized finance, stablecoins, or tokenization.

Ethereum transforms the on-chain economy

Ethereum’s new institutional website is beyond a documentation hub. It welcomes the next phase of digital finance.

It lowers entry barriers for traditional institutional navigating on-chain finance by organizing data around key sectors like DeFi, staking, restaking networks, RWAs, and DeFi.

It builds on the Ethereum vision, serving as a neutral, composable, and public infrastructure that supports financial innovation.

The blockchain continues to merge TradFi and DeFi, leveraging an ecosystem of thriving developers, high-end privacy tools, and scalability through L2 platforms.

With more institutions embracing blockchain through ETFs and digital assets strategies, Ethereum’s institutional portal offers a lucrative entry point.

The website connects global businesses with the foundation blocks of the digital economy.

ETH price outlook: whales are buying

The largest altcoin by market value is trading at $3,971 following an over 3% decline in the past 24 hours.

Its bearish trajectory mirrors the broader sector.

CoinMarketcap data shows the value of all digital currencies declined by 3% the previous 24 hours to $3.76 trillion.

Nevertheless, Lookonchain data shows large-scale investors are buying the dip.

Bitime’s new wallets have received 33,948 ETH tokens, worth approximately $135 million, from Falcon X today.

Whales keep buying $ETH!

2 newly created wallets(likely belonging to #Bitmine) just received 33,948 $ETH($135M) from #FalconX.https://t.co/ftrvedAY3zhttps://t.co/Qyr9SBlVbI pic.twitter.com/dRxp8sVCcs

— Lookonchain (@lookonchain) October 29, 2025

That reveals conviction in Ethereum’s possible rebounds in the coming sessions.

The post Ethereum Foundation launches institutional portal to boost enterprise adoption appeared first on CoinJournal.

Ethereum-focused treasury company ETHZilla said it has sold roughly $40 million worth of ether to fund ongoing share repurchases, a maneuver aimed at closing what it calls a “significant discount to NAV.” In a press statement on Monday, the company disclosed that since Friday, October 24, it has bought back about 600,000 common shares for approximately $12 million under a broader authorization of up to $250 million, and that it intends to continue buying while the discount persists.

ETHZilla Dumps ETH For BuyBacks

The company framed the buybacks as balance-sheet arbitrage rather than a strategic retreat from its core Ethereum exposure. “We are leveraging the strength of our balance sheet, including reducing our ETH holdings, to execute share repurchases,” chairman and CEO McAndrew Rudisill said, adding that ETH sales are being used as “cash” while common shares trade below net asset value. He argued the transactions would be immediately accretive to remaining shareholders.

ETHZilla amplified the message on X, saying it would “use its strong balance sheet to support shareholders through buybacks, reduce shares available for short borrow, [and] drive up NAV per share” and reiterating that it still holds “~$400 million of ETH” on the balance sheet and carries “no net debt.” The company also cited “recent, concentrated short selling” as a factor keeping the stock under pressure.

The market-structure logic is straightforward: when a digital-asset treasury trades below the value of its coin holdings and cash, buying back stock with “coin-cash” can, in theory, collapse the discount and lift NAV per share. But the optics are contentious inside crypto because the mechanism requires selling the underlying asset—here, ETH—to purchase equity, potentially weakening the very treasury backing that investors originally sought.

Death Spiral Incoming?

Popular crypto trader SalsaTekila (@SalsaTekila) commented on X: “This is extremely bearish, especially if it invites similar behavior. ETH treasuries are not Saylor; they haven’t shown diamond-hand will. If treasury companies start dumping the coin to buy shares, it’s a death spiral setup.”

Skeptics also zeroed in on funding choices. “I am mostly curious why the company chose to sell ETH and not use the $569m in cash they had on the balance sheet last month,” another analyst Dan Smith wrote, noting ETHZilla had just said it still holds about $400 million of ETH and thus didn’t deploy it on fresh ETH accumulation. “Why not just use cash?” The question cuts to the core of treasury signaling: using ETH as a liquidity reservoir to defend a discounted equity can be read as rational capital allocation, or as capitulation that undermines the ETH-as-reserve narrative.

Beyond the buyback, a retail-driven storyline has rapidly formed around the stock. Business Insider reported that Dimitri Semenikhin—who recently became the face of the Beyond Meat surge—has targeted ETHZilla, saying he purchased roughly 2% of the company at what he views as a 50% discount to modified NAV. He has argued that the market is misreading ETHZilla’s balance sheet because it still reflects legacy biotech results rather than the current digital-asset treasury model.

The same report cites liquid holdings on the order of 102,300 ETH and roughly $560 million in cash, translating to about $62 per share in liquid assets, and calls out a 1-for-10 reverse split on October 15 that, in his view, muddied the optics for retail. Semenikhin flagged November 13 as a potential catalyst if results show the pivot to ETH generating profits.

The company’s own messaging emphasizes the discount-to-NAV lens rather than a change in strategy. ETHZilla told investors it would keep buying while the stock trades below asset value and highlighted a goal of shrinking lendable supply to blunt short-selling pressure.

For Ethereum markets, the immediate flow effect is limited—$40 million is marginal in ETH’s daily liquidity—but the second-order risk flagged by traders is behavioral contagion. If other ETH-heavy treasuries follow the playbook, selling the underlying to buy their own stock, the flow could become pro-cyclical: coins are sold to close equity discounts, the selling pressures spot, and wider discounts reappear as equity screens rerate to the weaker mark—repeat.

That is the “death spiral” scenario skeptics warn about when the treasury asset doubles as the company’s signal of conviction.

At press time, ETH traded at $4,156.