Ethereum’s (ETH) price has surpassed $2,500 for the first time since October 1. However, despite the market’s rising optimism, this upward movement may not be as smooth as it seems. 

In this analysis, BeInCrypto highlights several on-chain metrics that suggest a significant portion of ETH’s gains could be stifled.

Ethereum Is Not Yet Free from Problems

Ethereum’s price increase represents a 6% hike in the last 30 days. Within the last 24 hours, the cryptocurrency’s volume has increased by 90%, indicating rising investor interest in Ethereum.

Despite this, data from IntoTheBlock shows that Ethereum’s Coins Holding Time has decreased by 56% in the last seven days. Coins Holding Time shows the amount of time investors have held a cryptocurrency without selling it.

Typically, longer holding times correlate with higher chances of price increases, while shorter holding times often signal potential price drops. In Ethereum’s case, the recent decline in holding time suggests that, despite the recent price rise, ETH holders are still selling.

Read more: How To Buy Ethereum (ETH) With a Credit Card: Complete Guide

If sustained, the cryptocurrency’s value might drop in the short term. The Network Value to Transaction (NVT) ratio is another metric supporting a drawdown. A high NVT ratio suggests that market capitalization is higher than the value transacted on the network.

A low NVT ratio, on the other hand, indicates that transaction volume is outpacing the market cap growth. While the former is a bearish sign, the latter is a bullish one. 

According to Glassnode, Ethereum’s NVT ratio has been rising for the last few days, suggesting that ETH’s price could be overvalued relative to the current market condition.

ETH Price Prediction: Likely Drop Below $2,400

A look at the ETH/USD daily chart shows that the Average True Range (ATR) has remained flat. Low readings of the ATR suggest low volatility and the possibility of a reversal or continued consolidation.

High ATR, on the other hand, suggests rising volatility and a potential for prices to keep moving upward. Since the indicator is flat, it appears that ETH’s price could drop to $2,345. But that would only be the case if buying pressure decreases and bears take control of the altcoin’s direction.

Read more: Ethereum (ETH) Price Prediction 2024/2025/2030

Ethereum’s price might climb if bulls ensure that bears do not run the show. In that situation, the cryptocurrency’s value could rally much higher than $2,600, possibly hitting $2,983.