On February 17, 2026, from 18:15 to 18:30 (UTC), ETH recorded a +1.11% K-line return within 15 minutes, with the price range rising from $1,987.06 to $2,009.13. During the same period, its gains outperformed BTC and other major cryptocurrencies, increasing market attention. Short-term volatility intensified significantly, attracting more capital and trading activity.
The main drivers of this movement stem from large institutional purchases and upcoming network upgrade expectations. Harvard University recently acquired approximately $86.8 million worth of ETH on February 16. Additionally, the imminent launch of the two aggressive scaling upgrades, Glamsterdam and Hegota, in 2026, significantly boosted market confidence in ETH’s long-term scalability and network security, driving capital inflows and short-term price increases.
Meanwhile, the substantial deleveraging at the end of the bear market improved liquidity for mainstream coins, creating a favorable environment for ETH’s slight rebound. On-chain data shows that the whale address “0x6C8” has continuously increased long positions to 45,000 ETH, forming a notable buy pressure within the year. Additionally, 72% of retail traders hold long positions. Coupled with the Federal Reserve’s rate cut expectations, which increased risk appetite, and the shift of funds from crypto concept stocks to mainstream cryptocurrencies, these factors amplified each other’s effects.
It is worth noting that the overall market remains in the late bear market consolidation phase, with ETH’s daily volatility reaching 15%. Short-term trading is highly susceptible to whale strategy adjustments, liquidity changes, and macroeconomic policy expectations. Investors should closely monitor large on-chain fund movements, key support levels, and upcoming global macroeconomic data releases. Caution is advised regarding short-term high volatility environments, including the risks of chasing rallies and subsequent pullbacks. Continued monitoring of capital flows and industry developments is essential for future performance.
Disclaimer: The information on this page may come from third parties and does not represent the views or opinions of Gate. The content displayed on this page is for reference only and does not constitute any financial, investment, or legal advice. Gate does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information and shall not be liable for any losses arising from the use of this information. Virtual asset investments carry high risks and are subject to significant price volatility. You may lose all of your invested principal. Please fully understand the relevant risks and make prudent decisions based on your own financial situation and risk tolerance. For details, please refer to
Disclaimer.
Related Articles
Vitalik's "Shelter Technology" Declaration: How Does Ethereum Incorporate Censorship Resistance into the Protocol?
Written by: imToken
If one day the core development team of Ethereum were to collectively "disappear," or if a sovereign country demanded the censorship of certain transactions, could Ethereum still remain open?
These questions sound like extreme hypotheticals, but they are becoming increasingly relevant reference points in the design of the Ethereum protocol.
In early March, Vitalik Buterin proposed a new statement, explicitly saying that the Ethereum community should see itself as part of the "sanctuary technologies" ecosystem: these free open-source technologies enable people to live, work, communicate, manage risks, and build wealth, while collaborating toward common goals and maximizing resistance to external pressures.
This statement appears to be an abstract upgrade of values, but when viewed in the context of Ethereum's recent protocol evolution, it actually corresponds to very specific
PANews54m ago
CoinGlass integrates RootData, adding investor and team information display on the token page
The CoinGlass platform has integrated RootData data, allowing users to view investor and team information on the token page for a one-stop information access. CoinGlass provides comprehensive data on the cryptocurrency derivatives market and has over 220 partners.
GateNews54m ago
BlackRock deposits 1,133.78 BTC and 27,189 ETH into a CEX, totaling approximately $136 million.
Gate News Report, March 10 — According to on-chain analyst Onchain Lens monitoring, BlackRock deposited 1,133.78 BTC (approximately $80.24 million) and 27,189 ETH (approximately $56.10 million) into a certain CEX, totaling about $136 million, and may continue to deposit more tokens.
GateNews1h ago
Vitalik: The Ethereum Foundation stakes 72,000 ETH using "DVT-lite," aiming to allow institutions to stake with a single click
Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin stated that the Ethereum Foundation has staked 72,000 ETH using the simplified decentralized validation technology "DVT-lite," aiming to make institutional-level staking easier and one-click. Despite ETH prices consolidating, staking demand remains strong, with currently 3.2 million ETH waiting to be staked, indicating market vitality.
動區BlockTempo2h ago
