On February 17, 2026, from 14:30 to 14:45 (UTC), ETH price experienced a short-term decline of 1.34%. This fluctuation occurred during a high-liquidity period when European and American markets intersected, accompanied by increased order book volatility, and the market showed a phased wait-and-see attitude toward Ethereum’s future direction. On-chain data indicates that the ETH mainnet saw a net outflow of up to 21,395.6 ETH within the previous 24 hours, significantly reducing short-term market liquidity support and acting as a trigger for this price decline.
The primary driver of this movement was large-scale on-chain fund transfers out of exchanges, further tightening the liquidity available for buy orders. This shift in fund flow reinforced risk-averse actions among some investors. Additionally, since 2025, Ethereum has undergone two major upgrades, including Pectra and Fusaka, with related technological benefits gradually absorbed by the market. Some holders chose to realize profits after the upgrades, creating short-term profit-taking pressure that weighed on the price during critical liquidity moments.
Meanwhile, the Layer 2 network ecosystem continues to expand, with daily transaction volume now surpassing that of the mainnet, and Gas fees dropping to a historic low of around $0.04. The phased decline in mainnet demand and increased fund migration have added selling pressure. Coupled with frequent speculative activities during the European and American market overlap, this amplified the resonance of short-term sell-offs. Additionally, since the beginning of the year, ETH has experienced significant gains, and profit-taking from floating gains has further pressured the price.
Investors should pay particular attention to short-term volatility risks. Monitoring key support levels for ETH and on-chain fund outflows is essential, along with being alert to macro news impacts. Going forward, attention can be given to developments in the Layer 2 ecosystem, changes in mainnet demand, and market behavior during key trading periods, along with more real-time market data and depth information.
Disclaimer: The information on this page may come from third parties and does not represent the views or opinions of Gate. The content displayed on this page is for reference only and does not constitute any financial, investment, or legal advice. Gate does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information and shall not be liable for any losses arising from the use of this information. Virtual asset investments carry high risks and are subject to significant price volatility. You may lose all of your invested principal. Please fully understand the relevant risks and make prudent decisions based on your own financial situation and risk tolerance. For details, please refer to
Disclaimer.
Related Articles
Ethereum hits the crucial $2,500 mark: capital outflows surge, but valuation risks emerge
Ethereum's current price remains above $2,100 and is in an upward channel, but a breakthrough of the key resistance at $2,393 is needed to continue rising toward $2,500. Meanwhile, on-chain fund inflows are increasing, indicating that investors are inclined to hold long-term, but valuation pressure is rising, and the impact of on-chain activity on price should be monitored. The short-term trend will depend on breaking through resistance levels and changes in market demand.
GateNews22m ago
Bitmine 推以太坊質押平台「MAVAN」，手握 466 萬枚 ETH 要全數質押
Bitmine Immersion Technologies announces the launch of the Ethereum staking platform "MAVAN," providing services for institutional investors and digital asset custody institutions. MAVAN will utilize 4.66 million ETH to earn staking rewards and plans to expand into more blockchain sectors. The platform is expected to generate nearly $300 million in staking rewards annually.
区块客32m ago
Welcome to the era of cryptocurrency! Leading US stock broker IB Interactive Brokers now accepts Bitcoin and stablecoin deposits.
Interactive Brokers announces the launch of cryptocurrency deposit functionality, allowing users to directly transfer cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and Ethereum into their platform without selling. This move aims to reduce trading costs and improve asset allocation efficiency. Earlier this year, Interactive Brokers already introduced stablecoin deposit services and continues to expand the available stablecoin options.
ChainNewsAbmedia48m ago
Fenbushi Co-Founder Offers Bounty to Recover $42M Crypto Hack
Fenbushi Capital co-founder Bo Shen has initiated a bounty program to recover $42 million stolen in a 2022 hack, offering 10-20% rewards for contributions to recovery. Recent advances in blockchain analysis have improved investigative capabilities, with some funds already frozen.
GateNews59m ago
Google aims to complete its quantum transition by 2029, while the Bitcoin community's consensus remains unclear.
As quantum computing technology advances, Google aims to complete post-quantum cryptography migration by 2029 to address the threat of "Q-Day." Ethereum and Solana are actively responding by launching quantum-resistant technologies, while the Bitcoin community is divided, and their response measures are yet to be determined. 2029 will be a critical milestone in the post-quantum era.
ChainNewsAbmedia1h ago
