Ethereum (ETH) has weathered its share of volatility early in 2024, losing nearly 20% of its value year-to-date.
However, influencers at popular crypto outlet Altcoin Daily spy several crucial catalysts aligning in Ethereum’s favor over the next few months that could spark a turnaround rally towards the psychological $4,000 price level.
These potential upside drivers range from a key network upgrade to speculative trading products to sector rotation out of leading crypto asset Bitcoin, all of which could coalesce into a tidal wave of bullish Ethereum momentum once cryptos regain their mojo.
Final Network Upgrade Incoming
First off, Ethereum’s developers plan to institute the final components of the network’s sweeping technological overhaul aimed at lowering transaction costs and improving scalability. Dubbed the “Beacon” upgrade, the release is slated for Q1 and passed its public dress rehearsal on February 7th, ahead of full integration by March.
Given the anticipation that has followed Ethereum’s incremental upgrades for years now, a successful Beacon launch providing substantial user improvements could reignite enthusiasm around ETH as the smart contract platform of choice. This, in turn, tends to positively impact valuations.
Also read: Decentraland (MANA) Poised for a 40% Breakout
ETF Hype Heating Up
The analysts also highlighted the intensifying buzz linked to the pending decision around a spot ETF tracking Ethereum’s price after related futures contracts won regulatory approval. A spot ETH ETF greenlight could expose Ethereum to fresh institutional inflows of hundreds of millions in assets. Moreover, it would further legitimize ETH as a mature, investable asset.
Comparable Bitcoin ETF approvals ignited huge rallies in 2021 as exposure widened. Hence, analysts eye a repeat if the SEC gives the nod to spot ETH products by the June deadline.
Rotation from Bitcoin
Lastly, anticipation remains that activity could rotate away from Bitcoin into altcoins like Ethereum around Bitcoin’s next halving event, slated for 2024. Ethereum bulls expect ETH’s slashed issuance and dominant role in powering decentralized apps to entice investor dollars once the dust settles from volatile BTC price action post-halving.
Add up the potential impact across all three catalysts over the medium term, and analysts foresee clear skies ahead for Ethereum to challenge formidable resistance around the $4K threshold if key factors click into place by mid-2023. Whether the ideal conditions materialize remains to be seen. But ETH buyers appear to be positioning early for such an outcome just in case by accumulating during the current lull period.
