Ethereum is entering the second half of January with noticeably improved market sentiment. ETH could rise to the $4,000 level in the coming weeks, provided there are no major macroeconomic shocks. This forecast was shared by Mal Zayn, Regional Manager for the CIS at cryptocurrency exchange CoinEx, DKNews.kz reports.
According to the expert, a combination of market and fundamental factors is currently creating favorable conditions for Ethereum’s price growth.
Bullish sentiment returns to the market
Following a sharp correction in the fourth quarter of 2025, when Ethereum’s price nearly halved — from its all-time high of $4,800 to around $2,800 — market dynamics have gradually begun to recover. ETH is now trading near $3,100, still about 35% below its historical peak, but several indicators suggest demand is strengthening again.
One of the key signals is the recovery of open interest to levels seen before the Q4 sell-off. This indicates that traders and investors are once again actively opening positions in anticipation of further upside.
Network upgrades support positive expectations
Another important catalyst is the upcoming Ethereum network upgrades, Hegota and Glamsterdam, which aim to improve performance and scalability. Historically, alignment between Ethereum’s development roadmap and favorable market structure has often preceded price rallies.
Market participants view these upgrades as a strong фундаменталь signal that reinforces long-term confidence in the network.
Staking and on-chain activity confirm the trend
On-chain data further supports the optimistic outlook. ETH staking continues to grow, with the waiting time to activate a new validator node reaching approximately 31 days. At the same time, the exit queue from staking remains almost empty, suggesting holders are not rushing to sell.
The recent price recovery has also been driven largely by retail demand in the spot market, helping to form a more stable and sustainable upward trend.
Key levels to watch: $3,500 and $4,000
In the near term, Ethereum is approaching an important resistance zone at $3,300–3,400. If ETH manages to break above $3,500 without facing major external shocks, market data points to a high probability of a rapid move toward $4,000, potentially within January.
“If Ethereum clears the $3,500 level, the current market structure suggests a strong chance of accelerated growth toward $4,000,” Mal Zayn noted.
Outlook
As 2026 begins, Ethereum is supported by recovering demand, rising network activity, and expectations of technological improvements. If current conditions persist, ETH could move closer to its historical highs faster than many market participants anticipated just a few months ago.
