Key Takeaways
On the other, price action remains under pressure, with traders closely watching key support levels near $1,900.The contrast is striking – while ETH trades below the psychological $2,000 mark, long-term holders appear increasingly willing to lock up their coins for yield.
Ethereum’s staking metrics have turned sharply higher. More than 4 million ETH are currently waiting to enter the validator queue, translating into an estimated 70-plus day wait time. At the same time, the exit queue remains relatively light at roughly 24,000 ETH, signaling limited interest in withdrawing.
In total, about 36.6 million ETH are already staked, representing close to 30% of the circulating supply. The network is now secured by approximately 975,000 active validators.
This dynamic suggests that investors are positioning for the long term rather than reacting to short-term price weakness. With a large portion of supply locked, liquid ETH available on exchanges continues to tighten.
Market analyst Michaël van de Poppe noted that Ethereum dominance has been trending lower since its recent peak. However, he argues that the broader structure resembles the early stages of the 2020 cycle, when Bitcoin initially outperformed before capital rotated into altcoins.
Technically, since the recent high of the Dominance, it's downtrending.
Similarly to the 2020 period, where #Bitcoin ran up, but we were technically already in an $ETH bull market.
This time isn't different. Since the low in April '25, we're already operating in an $ETH bull… pic.twitter.com/u3bydzhDvD
— Michaël van de Poppe (@CryptoMichNL) February 12, 2026
According to this view, Ethereum may already be operating within a broader bullish framework that began forming after the April 2025 lows, even if short-term volatility persists.
Not all analysts are optimistic in the near term. Trader Merlijn pointed out that Ethereum has broken below its ascending channel and confirmed a bearish retest of that structure.
From a technical perspective, $1,900 is now viewed as critical support, with $1,830 acting as a deeper defense zone. A sustained hold above these levels could open the door for stabilization. Failure, however, may accelerate downside momentum.
The market is effectively at a crossroads. Traders are watching levels, not narratives.
The current setup highlights a growing divergence between on-chain conviction and chart-based caution. While technical traders focus on support levels, staking data reflects continued confidence in Ethereum’s long-term value proposition. Currently, around 30% of the total supply is currently locked for staking.
With millions of ETH entering lockup and minimal exit pressure, supply dynamics are tightening at a time when sentiment remains fragile.
Whether price follows the staking surge higher – or tests lower support first – will likely be decided in the coming sessions. For now, Ethereum stands at a pivotal moment, balancing structural strength against short-term technical risk.
The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or trading advice. Coindoo.com does not endorse or recommend any specific investment strategy or cryptocurrency. Always conduct your own research and consult with a licensed financial advisor before making any investment decisions.
The post Ethereum at a Crossroads – Will $1,900 Hold? appeared first on Coindoo.
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