Ethereum is nearing its first three-quarter losing streak as prices weaken, institutional strategies diverge, and staking absorbs supply during persistent negative market sentiment. Ether also fell below $1,800 after failing to break the important $2,400 resistance level.
CoinGlass quarterly returns show Ethereum ended the fourth quarter of 2025 in negative territory. The asset then continued falling through the first and second quarters of 2026. Another negative quarterly close would give Ethereum three consecutive losing quarters for the first time. That sequence would extend a downturn that has already lasted longer than previous corrections.
Ethereum has faced major price declines before, but recoveries usually followed within one or two quarters. This time, sustained selling has kept pressure on bullish traders for a longer period.
Large institutions have not moved together during Ethereum’s decline. The market update said BlackRock sent additional Bitcoin and Ether to Coinbase Prime while reducing its Ether exposure. BlackRock sold Ether for seven consecutive trading days, according to the report. Its most recent Ether purchase occurred about two weeks before the latest market update.
Meanwhile, Tom Lee’s BitMine continued buying the asset despite broader market weakness. The firm added 27,084 ETH, worth about $42.5 million, to its corporate holdings.
That purchase raised BitMine’s total position to 5.7 million ETH. The holding represents about 4.72% of Ethereum’s total supply, based on figures contained in the market update.
CryptoQuant said Ethereum now faces a collision between negative sentiment and supply absorption through staking. The firm described the combination as a precarious environment, particularly for short-sellers. Staking reduces the amount of organic supply available for active trading. At the same time, weak sentiment can increase volatility as buyers and sellers react to changing support levels.
Can staking absorption contain further selling while major institutions continue taking opposite positions? Traders are watching whether Ethereum can hold key support areas after its move below $1,800. Trading volume has remained subdued during the latest phase, showing cautious participation across the market. That reduced activity adds another layer of uncertainty around Ethereum’s near-term price direction.
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The wider cryptocurrency market also remains unsettled as participants assess institutional flows, staking activity, and negative sentiment. Each factor continues to shape Ethereum’s supply conditions and trading behaviour.
Market participants are tracking support levels, trading volume, institutional transactions, and staking flows. They are also watching whether Ether can stabilize above the market’s closely monitored support zones.
Ethereum faces a possible third consecutive negative quarter as weak sentiment and selling pressure continue. BlackRock has reduced exposure, while BitMine keeps expanding its holdings and staking absorbs available supply. Traders should monitor support levels, institutional activity, and trading volume before making market decisions.