- Ethereum nears $2,500 resistance with futures data hinting at potential short-term correction.
- Speculative volume spikes on CryptoQuant’s bubble map signal possible profit-taking pressure.
- Price rose 3.44% but trading volume dropped over 21%, signaling caution among traders.
Ethereum is facing increased selling pressure as it approaches a resistance zone near $2,500, with fresh data pointing to a price crash in the futures market. According to CryptoQuant’s “Ethereum: Futures Volume Bubble Map,” this zone has drawn trading volume and speculative interest, raising the possibility of a short-term correction before any breakout.
The data covers market activity from September 2023 to May 2025 and gives a structured view of Ethereum’s cyclical trading behavior across multiple volume and sentiment phases.
Over the past 20 months, Ethereum has cycled through multiple heating and cooling phases that align with shifts in speculative volume. The bubble map uses color-coded bubbles to indicate the degree of futures market activity. Red and dark red bubbles reflect breakout periods, while grey and green indicate neutral or cooling phases.
Between late 2023 and early 2024, Ethereum traded above $4,000 during an intense bullish phase marked by heightened leverage and speculative trading. This period was followed by a cooling cycle in mid-2024 as futures volume declined and price stabilized between $2,800 and $3,200. The pattern repeated in late 2024 and early 2025, with another wave of overheating pushing ETH above $3,500 before a decline drove prices below $2,000.
At the same time, there has been a sudden rise in futures transactions as Ethereum comes close to $2,500. This range has played the role of a supply area and a mental barrier. Data from CryptoQuant shows that the recent increase in volume is due mainly to traders closing their positions and taking profits while the price tests resistance.
Bubble sizes on the chart reflect volume magnitude, while color signals change intensity. Near $2,500, the emergence of large red bubbles suggests a return of speculative energy. These conditions frequently precede short-term corrections, when volume spikes occur without sustained demand support.
Trading Volume Slips Despite Price Gain
According to CoinMarketCap data, Ethereum price rose 3.44% in the past 24 hours to trade at $2,497.84 at the time of writing. Its market capitalization also increased 3.44%, reaching $301.55 billion. However, trading volume declined 21.08% to $25.86 billion. The volume-to-market cap ratio stands at 8.17%, reflecting moderate activity amid rising prices.
After rising above $2,550 near 4 PM on May 19, the price has dropped somewhat and now hovers around $2,498. Even with less trading, the market still supports buying, although signs indicate that a pullback could occur soon.
