Finance

Ethereum Shines Brighter Than S&P 500, Yet Traders Are Cashing Out – What’s Behind This Move?

2025-05-18

Author: Noah

Ethereum Takes the Lead!

Ethereum (ETH) is making waves in the market, undeniably outperforming the S&P 500 and several sectors within the cryptocurrency realm. In the past few months, ETH has skyrocketed by an impressive 58%. However, a recent stall in market sentiment has many traders questioning the next move.

A Closer Look at Market Dynamics

Despite ETH’s recent success, there's been a noticeable dip in market activity. This change in tone is prompting some traders to cash out. Currently, Ethereum is attracting significant liquidity, positioning it as a dominant force among major cryptocurrencies.

According to data from Artemis, Ethereum’s rally stands at 19.6%, dramatically outpacing the S&P 500's 12.5% rise, creating a noteworthy difference of 7.1%. It’s worth mentioning that Ethereum has outstripped most sectors in the crypto market lately—with the exception of the NFT sector, which boasts a staggering 57.7% increase.

Markets Get Cautious

However, closer scrutiny reveals that not all is rosy. Lower timeframe analysis indicates a potential downturn. Among traders, a wave of profit-taking has emerged, leading to offloading approximately $19 million worth of ETH in just 24 hours.

This trend has directly impacted the total value locked (TVL) in Ethereum’s DeFi ecosystem, which plummeted from $64.64 billion to $61.202 billion—a withdrawal of about $3.4 billion worth of ETH. This raises the crucial question: What happens next?

Could Ethereum Drop Further?

Ethereum's liquidation heatmap suggests potential price drops ahead, especially with a notable liquidity cluster forming at around $2,477, where roughly $33 million in buy orders sit, potentially stabilizing prices at this level.

Interestingly, reports indicate that $32 million worth of ETH has been purchased in the past 24 hours, hinting that any dip may be moderate. Strong buying pressure could serve as a buffer against any decline.

What Lies Ahead for ETH?

As the market continues to evolve, ETH’s capacity to rebound hinges on whether buying pressure can surpass the bearish outflows. Traders are on their toes, as the fate of Ethereum's price trajectory hangs in the balance. Will ETH continue its ascent, or will it face a downturn?