In the latest Ethereum price prediction, analysts question whether the recent ETH USD Price technical breakout is genuine or a bull trap.
Ethereum price held steady near $3,850 during late US trading on Thursday as market desks weighed record derivatives activity against uneven spot ETF flows and mixed year-end forecasts from major banks.
According to Coingecko data, the Ethereum price was trading at $3,836, showing a slight increase of approximately 2%, in line with Bitcoin as the broader crypto market recovered.
Data from CME showed institutional activity in its crypto suite reached fresh highs this week, with ETH options open interest around $9Bn and futures open interest hitting a record of roughly 48,600 contracts.
Leading the shift: Crypto futures and options OI is up 27% since Oct. 10 and Crypto options OI hit a record $9B
ETH futures: 48.6K OI
We have the regulated tools you need
— CME Group (@CMEGroup) October 23, 2025
ETH futures: 48.6K OI 
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Could Ethereum Reach $7,500 by Year-End as Standard Chartered Predicts?
Daily tracker Farside Investors reported that on October 22, BlackRock’s ETHA fund recorded about $110.7M in inflows, while Fidelity and Grayscale logged withdrawals that pulled the group’s net balance to roughly $38M.
The figures highlight a divided market: institutions are building exposure through regulated derivatives, yet spot ETF demand remains cautious as traders debate where Ether could end the year.
According to a Reuters report, Citi set a base target of $4,300 for Ether, warning that “current prices are above activity estimates.”
The bank outlined a bullish scenario at $6,400 and a downside case at $2,200, depending on adoption trends and broader market conditions.
As per another Reuters report, Standard Chartered took a more optimistic view, raising its year-end target to $7,500.
Analyst Geoff Kendrick said growing stablecoin use and staking demand could strengthen Ethereum’s fundamentals.
“We expect the stablecoin sector to grow about eightfold by the end of 2028,” he noted.
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Ethereum Price Prediction: How Strong Is Ethereum’s Recovery After Multiple Rejections Near $4,100?
By late Thursday, Ether was hovering around $3,850, holding between near-term support in the $3,700 zone and resistance near $4,100.
Traders said direction now depends on fund flows and the broader macro environment.
Could. Not. Be. Clearer.
Connect the dots or stay broke. pic.twitter.com/Ep2nEljS8h
— Gordon (@AltcoinGordon) October 23, 2025
Technically, Ethereum’s daily chart points to a bullish shift. The price has broken above a long-term descending trendline that had capped rallies since 2021.
This breakout signals a change in structure, turning the $3,800 level from resistance into new support.
(Source: X)
Ethereum held steady near $3,875 early Friday, rebounding from a short-term support zone around $3,860, a level closely watched by traders.
Market analyst Crypto Tony said he is “scalping a long” while ETH stays above that area, showing confidence in a short-term bounce.
On the charts, Ethereum is retesting its breakout zone near $3,832, a typical setup before another upward move.
Ethereum’s 4-hour chart shows the market attempting to stabilize after several failed attempts to break the $4,000–$4,100 zone.
I am now scalping a long as we hold over $3860 support zone pic.twitter.com/KiJnsbLYID
— Crypto Tony (@CryptoTony__) October 23, 2025
The latest candles indicate a mild rebound from the weekly low near $3,720, forming what appears to be a higher low —a pattern that often signals renewed buying interest.
Momentum indicators suggest a neutral-to-slightly bullish setup, as ETH remains above its short-term support. Still, resistance is tight around $3,900–$3,920, an area where earlier rallies lost strength.
The pattern of higher lows suggests buyers are gradually regaining control. If the trend holds, a break above $4,000 could confirm the next move higher, opening the path toward the $5,000–$5,500 range.
As long as Ethereum stays above its broken trendline, sentiment remains constructive heading into 2025.
A strong daily close above $4,000 would strengthen that outlook and mark the start of a broader uptrend.
A decisive move above that could pave the way toward $3,980–$4,020. On the downside, losing the $3,860 level could leave ETH vulnerable to another dip toward $3,740.
In short, Ethereum is still in a recovery phase.
Bulls are trying to reclaim control, but the next move will depend on whether the price can break through near-term resistance with volume and conviction.
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