Ethereum and the aggregated crypto markets have been caught in a firm downtrend since early-November, and dwindling trading volume has resulted in ETH and other cryptocurrencies facing an ongoing period of sideways trading that has been frustrating for investors and traders alike.
This lack of volatility has especially impacted Ethereum, which is currently witnessing the lowest 60-day volatility levels seen since 2016, which may signal that a massive movement is imminent.
Ethereum Enters Tight Trading Range as Volume Dives
At the time of writing, Ethereum is trading down just under 1% at its current price of $144.55, which marks a slight decline from its daily highs of just over $146.
Over the past week, ETH has been ranging within the mid-$140 region, finding strong support at roughly $140 and strong resistance at $150.
This trading range has been growing tighter in recent times, as ETH has been stuck between roughly $142 and $145 for the past few days, and it is currently showing few signs of any major trend shift being imminent in the near-term.
This bout of sideways trading has come about concurrently with a major drop in Ethereum’s 60-day aggregated volatility, which is currently sitting at multi-year lows.
CoinMetrics, a blockchain research firm, spoke about this in a recent tweet, noting that this could mean that a big price movement is imminent.
“With $ETH’s 60d volatility falling to levels not experienced since 2016 are we finally due for some price action? Or just more of the same,” they noted while pointing to the chart seen below.
With $ETH's 60d volatility falling to levels not experienced since 2016 are we finally due for some price action? Or just more of the same… pic.twitter.com/QiViLIDnO6
— CoinMetrics.io (@coinmetrics) December 13, 2019
It is highly probable that any near-term ETH movement will still remain somewhat dependent on Bitcoin, as BTC has been a strong guiding force over major altcoins in recent times.
Will Fundamental Strength Help Push ETH Higher?
Although it remains unclear as to whether or not Ethereum’s low volatility will result in a massive movement, growing fundamental strength could ultimately help propel the cryptocurrency higher.
Joseph Lubin, Ethereum’s co-founder and the founder of ConsenSys, spoke about Ethereum’s strength in a recent tweet, pointing to the massive amount of ETH currently locked DeFi initiatives as one reason why the blockchain is fundamentally strong.
“Over 20M total #Ethereum accounts were created in 2019. Over $650M USD is currently locked in #DeFi. Over 4.5M $ETH was issued this year from block rewards. The @ethereum machine just keeps chugging!” He explained.
Over 20M total #Ethereum accounts were created in 2019.
Over $650M USD is currently locked in #DeFi.
Over 4.5M $ETH was issued this year from block rewards.
The @ethereum machine just keeps chugging! 🚂https://t.co/nmu7guIcHS
— Joseph Lubin (@ethereumJoseph) December 13, 2019
While considering Ethereum’s low volatility and bullish fundamentals, it does appear that a bullish trend could be right around the corner.
Featured image from Shutterstock.
