Ethereum price is up about 4.5% over the past day and stands at around $2,409, doing slightly better than the rest of the market.
This step is based on real demand. Big players are locking up Ethereum (ETH) instead of selling it, such as BitMine’s recent $142 million bet, tightening supply and supporting the price.
Technically, ETH has risen back above its 7-day moving average of around $2,341 and momentum is starting to turn positive, with steady ETF inflows supporting this move.
The price of Bitcoin is also rising (today it reached $79,000), but for different reasons. This is driven by large inflows of over $1.5 billion into ETFs last week, as well as large purchases like Strategy, which brought in 34,164 BTC worth about $2.5 billion.
News that the US-Iran ceasefire has been extended and that peace talks could resume as soon as Friday also helped ease concerns about Middle East tensions and possible oil shocks, improving overall risk appetite and supporting Bitcoin. Additionally, regulatory news such as Russia recognizing cryptocurrencies as property adds another layer of demand.
So while both are rising, the drivers are not the same. Bitcoin is more focused on big money and macro developments, while Ethereum is supported by the events on its own network. This difference could be important until 2026.
Why 2026 could be Ethereum’s breakthrough year
Top analyst Tanaka argues that 2026 could be Ethereum’s strongest year yet, and the reasoning is based on a mix of upgrades, adoption and macroeconomic conditions.
Network upgrades improve performance
Ethereum will receive two major updates in 2026 – Glamsterdam (Q1) and Hegotá (Q2). These updates are expected to result in improvements in efficiency, scalability and network performance. In layman’s terms, Ethereum (ETH) continues to improve its fundamental level of development, but also remains dominant.
Stablecoin and liquidity dominance
Ethereum holds about 60% of global stablecoin activity. This means that most dollar-backed crypto transactions still pass through the company’s network. Ethereum sees a constant flow of activity even during quiet market periods.
2026 will be the year @ethereum 👇
– Hard Fork Glamsterdam (H1 2026, expected in June).
– Hard fork Hegotá (H2 2026).
– Ethereum holds about 60% of the global stablecoin market share.
– Ethereum accounts for approximately 63% of the total Layer 1 TVL.
– Acceptance by institutions and companies is… https://t.co/edrk6Uj2t1 pic.twitter.com/pGJ9vNun69– Tanaka (@Tanaka_L2) April 22, 2026
TVL leadership in layer 1 networks
Ethereum’s share of the total TVL of all Layer 1 blockchains is around 63%. Therefore, most decentralized funds continue to flow into the ecosystem, especially in areas such as lending, exchanges and DeFi.
Acceptance among institutions and companies is increasing
Current data already shows that this trend is emerging. For example, companies like BitMine are selling large amounts of ETH, securing a supply worth over $142 million. This behavior reduces circulating supply and increases long-term demand pressure.
Also read: That’s why the Memecore (M) price is up 50%
New capital could be released through regulatory support
The upcoming Digital Asset Market Clarity Act can be seen as a key moment in crypto regulation. If the law comes into effect, it could lead to a higher level of legal certainty and favor Ethereum due to its use in tokenization, stablecoins and on-chain financial products.
Bitcoin is being driven by ETF inflows, easing tensions in the Middle East and continued corporate purchases, with firms like Strategy adding billions worth of BTC. This will make it more established and stable.
In the case of Ethereum (ETH), there There are still several catalysts that will push the coin further. These include upcoming upgrades, a vibrant ecosystem, and increased institutional participation. If this continues until 2026, such a combination of factors would give ETH enough flexibility to outperform Bitcoin’s price.
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