Ethereum’s price ended the week with a significant drop. On Friday, it fell below the $1,890 level, losing 6% of its value and reaching $1,870 during the day. Although there was a slight recovery afterward, the current levels underscored the fragile nature of the market. This development stands out as part of a broader wave affecting not only Ethereum $1,859 but the entire cryptocurrency market.
Ethereum Leads in Liquidations
The drop on Friday triggered notable activity in the derivatives markets. In the last 24 hours, nearly $450 million worth of positions were liquidated, with Ethereum taking the largest share. The rapid price decline caused significant losses, particularly for leveraged traders.
The intensity of these liquidations stems from sudden directional shifts in the market. Newly announced tariffs by former U.S. President Donald Trump not only shook traditional financial markets but also impacted the cryptocurrency sector. During periods of decreased risk appetite, investors tend to close positions at the slightest negative news. The increase in Ethereum’s trading volume further indicates mounting selling pressure.
Optimism Turns to Concerns
At the beginning of the week, Ethereum investors had high expectations. Plans for launching a stablecoin based on Ethereum and the successful completion of the Pectra upgrade had created a brief sense of optimism in the market. Ethereum even tested the $2,100 mark with these positive developments. However, it became clear that this rise was not sustainable as the subsequent wave of selling ensued.
This sudden shift in sentiment affected not only Ethereum but also other major cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin $83,641, XRP, and Solana
$127. Particularly, the closure of high-risk leveraged trades intensified the liquidation wave. Following these recent events, investors have started adopting a more cautious stance. Expectations indicate that fluctuations in the cryptocurrency market may continue in the coming days.