2026-01-21 03:20:19

Recently, the market has staged a classic "long and short double kill" show. When Ethereum fell below 3200 and approached 3050, retail investors were scared and collectively cut their losses, but on-chain data showed a different picture: major institutions were frantically accumulating, with weekly increases exceeding 35,000 ETH. On one side, technical indicators continued to decline, with liquidation orders piling up; on the other side, whales remained expressionless and kept buying and staking more. This stark contrast between ice and fire has brought everyone to the same question: is this a "flying knife" trap before the scam coin's rise, or a genuine bottom-fishing opportunity?

The market has now completely split. The pessimists present a bunch of data suggesting that even if Ethereum hits a new high by 2026, it might just be a "false prosperity," ultimately crashing back near 2000. The optimists, on the other hand, see institutions desperately accumulating ETH supply and confidently claim that once the bears are squeezed out, the price could soar straight to $7,000. You’re bombarded by these two opposing voices, each decision feeling like gambling your own fortune.

But thinking about it this way, in such a volatile market with fierce tug-of-war between bulls and bears and completely uncertain direction, the most painful thing is actually those trying to "accurately predict" short-term movements. Instead of obsessing over whether Ethereum will rise or fall tomorrow, it’s better to change your mindset: how can you make sure that no matter how the market moves, your ETH holdings continue to generate income? That’s the real question worth pondering.

ETH-3,62%

View Original

This page may contain third-party content, which is provided for information purposes only (not representations/warranties) and should not be considered as an endorsement of its views by Gate, nor as financial or professional advice. See Disclaimer for details.

11 Likes

Reward
11
4
Repost
Share

Comment

0/400

SignatureAnxiety

· 13h ago

Retail investors cut losses while institutions buy the dip. I've seen this routine too many times. Every time they say this is the bottom, but it keeps falling. I really can't hold on anymore. Institutions increasing holdings by 35,000 coins just to fool us into buying? Wake up, everyone. The ratio doesn't really matter. Instead of guessing whether it will go up or down tomorrow, it's better to think about how to stabilize returns. This sounds right but also pretty empty. This round is really cutting both sides, and it's getting on my nerves. I'm afraid to buy anything. Staking yields are tempting, but what about the risks? You have to lock in your assets and spend time. I think I'll just hold and see. Pessimists see $2,000, optimists see $7,000. Why are so many people losing money in between? Instead of looking at on-chain data, it's better to see how much is left in your wallet—that's the most real indicator.

View OriginalReply0

SorryRugPulled

· 14h ago

Institutions are buying up, retail investors are cutting losses. I've seen this scene too many times... really, it's always like this. Should I dodge the blow or buy the dip? The problem is we simply can't tell the difference, so might as well just lie flat and hold. 7000 or 2000, anyway, I only have that much ETH, it won't increase just because of predictions haha. Instead of guessing whether it will go up or down, it's better to think about how to make the coins in your hands work for you—that's more realistic. Everyone says institutions are accumulating, so should we follow? Or is this just a cover-up? Honestly, the arguments between these two camps give me a headache. I just want to know who the hell is really making money. Staking yields might actually be more reliable than guessing the right direction... at least more stable. Long and short kills are teaching us not to think about perfectly bottoming out. I’ve had a bit of an epiphany.

View OriginalReply0

DeadTrades_Walking

· 14h ago

Institutions疯狂扫货这块确实有意思，但咱们散户怎么跟啊... --- Two factions are fighting fiercely, but I think they are all gambling. Who the hell knows what will happen next year? --- Instead of worrying about price fluctuations, it's better to think about how to continuously issue coins... I really buy into this logic. --- 3.5 million coins increase in holdings? That number looks fierce. If I had the capital, I’d also want to buy the dip and play around. --- Here comes another set of "long-term optimistic" rhetoric. After being cut once, do you still believe this? --- No doubt, but how many can truly achieve "issue coins regardless of market conditions"? --- Institutions buy in with a blank face, while retail investors collectively panic. That’s the gap. --- It feels like the hardest part now isn’t predicting the market, but not being brainwashed by both sides’ voices... --- Staking yields are indeed attractive, but it would be awkward if the price drops by 50%. --- A rollercoaster of emotions, I’m just trembling in the cracks.

View OriginalReply0

FudVaccinator

· 14h ago

Institutions are buying, and I'm still struggling with whether it will go up or down tomorrow. Truly incredible. Retail investors are being played by these two conflicting voices—one says it will crash to 2000, the other says it will run to 7000. It’s giving me a headache just listening. Instead of trying to predict, it’s better to think about how to make the coins generate money. I think I’ve got a pretty good grasp of that. Should I catch the falling knife or buy the dip? Let’s see who has better technical analysis. Anyway, I’m too scared. While whales are stocking up, we’re still cutting losses. The gap is truly despairing. No matter what, as long as you hold coins, you need to find ways to increase their value. Waiting for passive income is definitely better than watching K-line charts every day. The harshest part of this market cycle isn’t the decline, but that it leaves everyone unsure of what to do. Institutions are already stacking up their positions, and we’re still arguing over who’s more pessimistic. No wonder we’re getting cut. Instead of guessing the market, it’s better to think about how to generate returns from your holdings. I agree with that.

View OriginalReply0