Ethereum's Struggle Against Bitcoin: Is a Recovery on the Horizon?

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The cryptocurrency market is buzzing with positive developments. Former U.S. President Donald Trump recently signed an executive order that could reshape crypto history, while Bitcoin's on-chain volumes are surging—reminiscent of early 2024 and November 2023 peaks. Despite these bullish signals, Ethereum (ETH) remains sluggish, with the ETH/BTC pair hitting its lowest point since 2021. Here’s the latest on ETH’s performance.

Ethereum Price Rises 5.8% in 24 Hours

While Ethereum’s price has climbed 5.8% over the past day, it continues to trade below $4,000 and even under $3,500.

Pair1H24H7D1M3M6M
ETH/BTC0.09%2.71%-2.73%-9.33%-12.39%-32.52%
ETH/USDT0.41%5.77%0.85%-2.63%37.49%5.54%
ETH/USD0.44%5.82%0.91%-2.61%37.58%5.44%

Performance metrics for Ethereum against key pairs. Data source: Coincheckup

A glimmer of hope: the ETH/BTC pair gained 2.7% in 24 hours, outperforming Bitcoin briefly after Trump’s executive order. However, this upward momentum may be short-lived, as the pair has declined consistently for months.

Ethereum’s Bearish Trend Against Bitcoin

Ethereum’s position relative to Bitcoin is alarming. While BTC soared past $100,000 following spot ETF approvals, ETH remains fragile—even post-Merge and spot ETF launches. The ETH/BTC pair reflects this stark divergence, plummeting to 2021 levels:

👉 Why Ethereum’s underperformance matters

The pair now trades below the 365-day moving average, a far cry from 2021’s bullish trajectory.

Key Resistance: Breaking the Downtrend

ETH has been range-bound between $3,500 and $4,000 since March 2024. A break above the descending trendline could propel it toward 2024 highs:

Ethereum’s fragility persists, with ETH/USD struggling below psychological resistance at $4,000. Meanwhile, the SEC faces a flood of new ETF applications, adding market uncertainty.


FAQ: Ethereum’s Market Position

Q: Why is ETH/BTC at a multi-year low?
A: Bitcoin’s dominance post-ETF approvals and Ethereum’s slower adoption of key upgrades have widened the gap.

Q: What could trigger an ETH rebound?
A: A breakout above $4,000 or institutional inflows from potential ETH ETF approvals may reverse the trend.

Q: How does Trump’s executive order impact Ethereum?
A: While broadly pro-crypto, its immediate effects on ETH are muted compared to Bitcoin’s regulatory clarity.

👉 Explore Ethereum trading strategies


Analyst Note: ETH’s recovery hinges on macroeconomic catalysts and network upgrades. Watch for ETF developments and institutional interest.