The Ethereum price continues to test investors’ patience as it consolidates just beneath critical resistance levels. A crypto analyst has labeled this stretch a “loading at prior high phase,” suggesting that the market is stuck in this area. Currently, bulls are eyeing a decisive breakout above $5,000, but the analyst remains torn about whether ETH is merely pausing before another surge or setting up for a deeper retest. Ethereum Price Loading Phase Likely Short-Lived A market expert identified as ‘Crypto Nova’ has characterized Ethereum’s current price behaviour as a loading phase taking place near previous highs. Looking at the monthly chart, ETH has reportedly climbed back toward the $4,800 range, brushing against levels that previously triggered reversals. Historically, when Ethereum approaches a former high, momentum tends to slow as supply briefly catches up to demand. Related Reading: Analyst Says 4-Year Cycle Ended In Dec 2024, But Ethereum Remains Insanely Bullish However, Crypto Nova notes that this slowdown rarely marks the final top. Instead, it often signals a temporary equilibrium before buyers reassert control. The analyst emphasized that demand for ETH continues to heavily outweigh supply, meaning that short-lived pullbacks will likely be absorbed quickly. Examining the price chart, Crypto Nova identifies two “magnetic” price zones above $6,000 and $8,000, which serve as medium-term targets for Ethereum. These zones also represent strong liquidity pools that the market tends to gravitate toward once upward momentum resumes. If Ethereum manages to convincingly clear the $5,000 barrier, the probability of a sustained move into these higher zones increases. With its price action maintaining a broader uptrend structure and repeatedly rejecting breakdown attempts, ETH further reinforces its bullish case. In other words, the current consolidation emphasized by Crypto Nova is seen as a healthy pause, rather than a signal of weakness or price exhaustion. Bullish Setup Suggests Retest Before $5,000 Push Adding to Ethereum’s bullish narrative, Hardy, a crypto trader and analyst, offers a more tactical outlook using shorter timeframes. On the hourly chart, the analyst highlights that ETH has shown choppy movement around $4,400 and $4,600 after failing to sustain momentum above its 2021 all-time high of $4,865. This has raised the possibility of near-term dips before Ethereum attempts another price breakout. Related Reading: Real Vision CEO Raoul Pal Calls ‘Full Port’ Into XRP, Ethereum Hardy identifies two untapped daily zones of interest, $4,225 and $4,075, as key levels where buyers are likely to step back in. These price targets represent support areas that could provide solid entries for long positions if the price does not pull back. Despite the possible short-term volatility, Hardy remains optimistic about Ethereum’s future trajectory. He suggests that the price is primed for a new all-time high, provided the market respects the above support levels. Ethereum’s overall structure continues to lean bullish, reinforcing the broader campaign toward a $5,000 target and beyond. Featured image from iStock, chart from Tradingview.com
