Ethereum took a hit Thursday, slipping 1.47% in the last 24 hours to hover around $2,300, according to CoinMarketCap. The drop came as whale selling ramped up and spot demand slid to multi-week lows — a divergence from Bitcoin, which continues to trade above $80,000. Despite the bearish mood, trader Crypto Tice is actively accumulating ETH and projecting a rally to $4,000.
Whale selling and spot demand
Ethereum's price divergence from Bitcoin is widening. While BTC holds above $80,000, ETH can't catch a bid. Data points to large holders dumping coins, pushing supply onto exchanges. At the same time, spot buying interest has dried up to levels not seen in weeks. The result: Ethereum has shed more than 3% over the past seven days, though it's still clinging to the $2,300 handle.
Accumulation amid the dip
Not everyone is running for the exits. Crypto Tice, a known market participant, has been actively buying Ethereum during this downtrend. The accumulation comes even as sentiment turns sour and the broader altcoin market struggles. It's a contrarian bet — one that assumes the selling pressure is temporary and that buyers will step in at these levels.
Technical signs of support
There's some chart evidence backing that view. Ethereum has been forming higher lows, meaning each dip is finding buyers at a stronger price level than the previous one. That pattern suggests underlying demand is building, even if it's not enough yet to reverse the slide. Traders will be watching whether ETH can hold above $2,300 and build a base.
The $4,000 target
Crypto Tice isn't just buying — he's also calling for a big move. The projection: Ethereum will hit $4,000, representing an 84.12% surge from current prices. That's a bold forecast given the current headwinds, but it's not entirely out of line with historical recovery patterns after heavy whale selling. For now, the market's focus remains on whether Bitcoin's strength can eventually pull Ethereum along — or if the divergence will get worse before it gets better.
