In an unexpected market event, Ethereum’s value has dropped below the average purchase cost for major stakeholders possessing over 100,000 ETH. This cohort, largely comprising sizable institutional portfolios, is highly sensitive to Ethereum’s market pricing, where their holdings could reach valuations surpassing $200 million.
Is Ethereum’s Current Valuation a Temporary Setback?
Analysis indicates that Ethereum’s current market price lags behind the on-chain realized price for these major holders, now lingering at approximately $2,075. For the first time, this puts large asset owners in a position of short-term financial loss. The realized price signifies the average price at which recent Ethereum trades have occurred.
What Can Past Market Cycles Reveal?
This mirrors a similar situation post-market peak in September 2018, where Ethereum’s valuation remained under key investors’ costs for close to six months. This decline marked a significant period of market correction and stabilization.
Market analysts see this price drop as indicative of profound market forces at play. Notoriously long-term in their investment approach, these investors have seen their average procurement costs escalate over time, suggesting sustained high-level investments.
History suggests such structural shifts often coincide with major market cycle milestones, opposed to transient price movements. Prior trends showed that prices remaining below the realized cost level prompted sustained market adjustments.
Insights from CryptoQuant’s recent study propose these price territories might offer strategic opportunities for risk-aware long-term investments. Historically, staggered purchasing at similar thresholds has resulted in consistent growth.
Ethereum community analysts predict that the breach of investor cost levels could catalyze a prolonged trend reversal. Such price dynamics are considered symptomatic of definitive market duration phases rather than fleeting disruptions.
The findings of the report underscore current levels as potential venues for long-term investment strategies.
The downturn in Ethereum’s price signifies a crucial transformation in on-chain activities among significant investors, potentially heralding a market phase transition reminiscent of previous cycles.



