Ethereum Sees Strong On-Chain Activity and Shifts in ETF Investments

Ethereum is trading near $4,300 after a short decline earlier in the week. The recovery comes at a time when the network is seeing strong activity, pointing to sustained demand for the second-largest cryptocurrency.

Ethereum On-Chain Activity Nears Record Levels

On-chain usage has been steadily rising. The Ethereum network processed more than 1.7 million transactions in a single day, a figure close to its all-time high transaction volume of 1.9 million.

The number of addresses interacting with the network remains significant as well. Current daily active addresses stand at around 550,000 , slightly below the 580,000 recorded a week earlier. 

Despite the small decrease, activity at this level demonstrates consistent adoption and participation across Ethereum’s ecosystem.

Ethereum DeFi Pullback and Shifting Institutional Flows

In decentralized finance, Ethereum continues to dominate but has seen a pullback in recent days. Data from DefiLlama shows that the total value locked in Ethereum-based DeFi protocols is at $88.87 billion. 

This figure is lower than the $97 billion reached last week , which itself was the highest since late 2021, when total value peaked at $106 billion. The decline represents a fall of over $8 billion within the week.

Institutional flows through ETFs have been notable. Last week, Ethereum attracted $2.8 billion of inflows, including $1.02 billion on August 11. Those investments pushed total ETF assets above $25 billion. This week the situation has reversed, with $1.73 billion leaving ETH ETFs over the past three days . DefiLlama reported this as the largest outflow on record.

Whale Activity and Market Outlook

Large-scale traders are making moves that have drawn market attention. Lookonchain, a market intelligence firm, reported that a long-standing Bitcoin holder, owning more than 14,800 BTC valued at $1.69 billion, sold 670 BTC worth $76 million. The proceeds were redirected into Ethereum, with the trader opening long positions totaling 68,130 ETH, valued at roughly $295 million, across four wallets. These trades signal confidence in Ethereum’s potential upside at current price levels.

This activity comes as ETH trades within a descending channel, according to analyst Ali Martinez. The token is holding between $4,342 and $4,219. A move above the upper boundary could signal renewed bullish momentum toward $4,516–$4,623, while a drop below $4,219 could lead to further declines toward support levels at $4,061 and $3,862 .

Alongside this technical outlook, recent institutional purchases have supported Ethereum’s rally in previous weeks. Continued buying could further drive the price higher, with Eric Jackson projecting that the token could eventually reach $10,000 , reflecting optimism about its long-term potential.