Ether bears at risk of $2B squeeze as short positions build around $2K

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ETH/USD, one-day chart analysis by Ardi. Source: X ETH futures data indicate a more nuanced setup during the current dip. Aggregated open interest has climbed by roughly 350,000 ETH over the past day, even as the price trended lower to $2,060. The divergence between price and OI suggests fresh short positions, rather than long liquidations, which is driving the price lower. Aggregated funding rates remained strongly positive at 0.0049% this month, showing traders still paying to maintain long exposure despite falling prices. The combination of rising open interest and positive funding implies aggressive positioning on both sides for the time being. ETH price, funding rate and open interest. Source: Velo chart This could create a liquidity hunt on both sides. $2,000 stands out as the nearest pivot zone. The long-leveraged positions-at-risk data exceed $1 billion, making it a critical level for short-term direction. That setup leaves ETH open to a potential short squeeze. A successful defense of $2,000 could force shorts covering into the liquidity pocket above $2,150, where more than $2.1 billion in short-term liquidity is concentrated, leading to a relief rally. ETH liquidation map. Source: CoinGlass Ether has steadily lost participation from mid-sized holders since 2023, reflecting weak conviction among the retail investors. Wallets holding between 100 and 1,000 ETH controlled roughly 16.2 million ETH during the 2023 peak, but that figure has since dropped to around 8.75 million ETH. Ether balance by holder value. Source: CryptoQuant Meanwhile, larger investors played a key role in Ethereum’s 2024 rally. Holdings among addresses with 1,000–10,000 ETH rose to 15.8 million from 12.4 million ETH before distribution began in October 2025. As of May 25, balances in this cohort had fallen back to 12.7 million ETH, indicating reduced exposure after the rally. However, Ether’s largest holders continue to accumulate aggressively. ETH wallets holding between 10,000 and 100,000 ETH increased their balances by nearly 30% over the past year, rising to 19 million ETH from 14.7 million ETH. The trend suggests that mega-whales continue absorbing ETH supply even as participation from mid-sized holders declines. More on the subject

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