Ethereum’s (ETH) price is on track to end the month down about 12.6% due to $401.62 million in outflows from spot ETH ETFs, which has negatively impacted market confidence.
The recent price decrease ended a two-year trend of positive performance for May. Historically, June is often a difficult month for Ethereum, and currently, ETF outflows and typical seasonal weakness are being countered by increased buying activity from large investors and long-term holders.
ETF Outflows Just Broke Ethereum’s Two-Year May Streak
Ethereum typically performs well in May. It saw gains of 24.7% in May 2024 and 41.1% in May 2025. However, this year, the month is currently down 12.6%.
Recent drops in Ethereum’s price can be explained by significant outflows from US-based Ethereum ETFs. These ETFs experienced a net outflow of $401.62 million in May, making it the third-largest monthly decrease since late 2025. Only November and December of 2025 saw larger outflows, with losses of $1.42 billion and $616.82 million respectively.
Throughout 2026, the connection between money coming into and going out of Ethereum ETFs (ETFs) and the price of Ethereum (ETH) has been very clear. In March, there was a small net outflow of $46.01 million, but ETH still went up 7.07%. April saw a significant inflow of $355.98 million, and ETH’s price increased by 7.38%. However, in May, there were large outflows, which caused the price to fall sharply. This demonstrates just how much ETF flows influence the price of ETH.
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Historically, June has been a weak month for Ethereum. Since 2016, the average return in June has been negative 6.74%, with a typical loss of 5.65%. Over the past ten years, only three Junes have seen positive returns. Now, the key question is whether the recent selling pressure from ETFs will continue into June, or if it will ease up enough to allow for a clearer price trend. Initial clues about what might happen can be found by looking at activity on the Ethereum blockchain.
Ethereum Whales and Hodlers Hint at Quiet Accumulation Through the Bleed
As a crypto investor, I’ve been watching Ethereum closely, and it’s encouraging to see the big players – the ‘whales’ – aren’t selling. According to Santiment, they’ve actually been *buying* more ETH. Since May 1st, their holdings outside of exchanges have increased by over a million ETH, which is worth more than $2 billion! It suggests strong confidence in Ethereum’s future and is a positive sign for the market.
From my analysis, despite a 12% price drop, large investors – what we call ‘whales’ – actually increased their overall holdings. They did take some profits during the period, but their buying activity ultimately outweighed their selling.
A key metric called the Glassnode Hodler Net Position Change, which measures how much Bitcoin long-term holders are buying or selling, reveals a clear trend. It showed significant selling pressure throughout early February 2026, coinciding with major outflows from ETFs and a steep price drop for Ethereum that year.
This time, we haven’t seen the usual connection. The number of long-term holders has been consistently increasing since February 24th, with growth accelerating since mid-May.
Comparing this situation to February 2026 is important. Back then, long-term ETH holders lost confidence, causing a 19.6% price drop. However, this current price decrease hasn’t triggered the same reaction, indicating that many long-term holders are likely using it as a chance to buy more ETH instead of selling in fear.
The price of Ether is currently at a turning point: it will either fall due to selling pressure, or rise as buyers step in with confidence.
A Bearish Inverted Cup Pattern Carries a Small Bullish Twist
Looking at Ethereum’s price chart over the past two days, a concerning pattern has emerged. Since late March, the price action has formed what’s called an inverted cup – a shape that often signals a potential price decline. The highest point of this pattern was reached in mid-April, and since then, the price has fallen back to where the pattern originally started, completing the downward-sloping, bearish shape.
If the price bounces back from this point, it would likely create the ‘handle’ part of an inverted cup-and-handle pattern, which generally suggests the price will continue to fall. A brief, temporary increase within this pattern doesn’t change the overall expectation of a downward trend. Even after forming the handle, the pattern still indicates the price will likely go down.
The price of Ether (ETH) might soon bounce back, but this is only supported by a specific technical pattern. Between March 28th and May 27th, the price is nearing a higher low, while the Relative Strength Index (RSI) – which measures how quickly prices are changing – is making a lower low. This pattern, called a hidden bullish divergence, often signals a temporary price increase during a downtrend, rather than a complete change in direction.
The divergence confirms if the next ETH 2-day candle forms above $1,964.
Currently, both the overall trend and recent fluctuations suggest prices will move upward, but they differ on how much. A temporary price increase is probable, especially with large investors and long-term holders buying. However, a complete trend change isn’t expected. Analyzing where people bought the asset at different prices helps predict how far this increase will go before sellers start taking profits.
Cost Basis Map Sets Ethereum Price Levels for June
At the time of this report, Ether (ETH) is trading around $1,977. Data from Glassnode shows that a significant amount of ETH was purchased at prices slightly above the current level. Specifically, 1.37 million ETH was bought between $2,059 and $2,075, creating a strong concentration of owners at that price point.
A significant resistance level exists between $2,154 and $2,170, where 1.24 million ETH are held. This area previously attracted buyers, and they may now sell to realize profits, potentially limiting upward price movement during any temporary recovery.
Recent price movements, when compared to Fibonacci levels, closely match key support and resistance areas. The $2,055 level, corresponding to a 0.618 Fibonacci retracement, aligns with a significant area where many investors initially bought. The $2,134 level, at the 0.5 Fibonacci retracement, is right before another important price zone. If the price rises from here, it’s likely to encounter selling pressure between $2,055 and $2,134 in June. For now, reaching $2,471 – a level that would confirm a stronger upward trend – seems unlikely.
There’s a significant risk for ETH. If the price drops below $1,964 and stays there for two days, it could signal a major downturn. This could lead to a price drop of around 21%, potentially down to $1,545. However, if ETH can stay above $1,964, a recovery is still possible.
The next key support level for Bitcoin is $1,798. Ethereum is currently holding steady around $1,964 and could see a price increase to between $2,055 and $2,134. However, if Ethereum falls below $1,964, it could potentially drop to $1,545.
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2026-05-28 11:43