- Over 77K ETH hit derivative exchanges, signaling potential bearish pressure — or a market bottom.
- Ethereum bounces to $1,600, but weak momentum and macro headwinds keep traders cautious.
Something big just moved.
Over 77,000 Ethereum [ETH] flowed into derivative exchanges in a single day. This is Ethereum’s largest shift of the year, and everyone’s watching.
Signals like this have spelled trouble before… but this time, the story might be different.
A massive move: 77K ETH hits derivatives
On the 16th of April, over 77,000 ETH flooded into derivative exchanges — Ethereum’s largest single-day net inflow in months.
This makes the previous spikes of 65K ETH on the 26th of March and 60K ETH on the 3rd of April look like chump change.
Source: Cryptoquant
The sudden surge, shown clearly in the chart, represents a significant increase in supply entering markets typically used for leverage, hedging, or speculation.
Crucially, Ethereum’s price hovered around $1.5K during the inflow — its lowest level since late 2023 — indicating that this movement isn’t driven by euphoria, but likely caution.
With markets still rattled by uncertainty, such a scale of inflow suggests institutional players are repositioning — and potentially preparing for more downside.
Bearish repeats
Ethereum’s latest spike in derivatives inflow mirrors two prior events — the 26th of March and the 3rd of April — both of which preceded notable price declines.
These inflows correlate with rising bearish sentiment, as traders move ETH to derivative platforms to open shorts or protective hedges.
The pattern is clear: large ETH inflows cause market retreats. What’s different now is the scale and context.
This week’s surge follows China’s retaliatory tariffs, which have sparked a broader risk-off sentiment across global markets.
If history repeats, ETH could see further weakness; but if macro conditions stabilize, this inflow might mark capitulation at the bottom, not a prelude to more pain.
Ethereum price outlook
Ethereum briefly reclaimed the $1,600 level on the 17th of April, bouncing off recent lows. The MACD shows a muted bullish crossover, hinting at weakening selling pressure; but momentum remains shallow.
Meanwhile, the RSI lingered around 40, indicating bearish dominance and limited buyer conviction. Price action remained range-bound, failing to break above the $1,620 resistance zone.
Source: TradingView
This technical setup suggested a relief bounce, not a reversal. Without stronger volume or macro tailwinds, Ethereum risks revisiting the $1,500 support zone.
Short-term sentiment remains defensive, as traders await clarity on geopolitical tensions and risk appetite across broader markets.
