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Ethereum Nears Historic Streak of Three Red Quarters, With Signs of a Rebound

Ethereum is in the middle of a historic run of negative quarterly returns, but recent price gains and strong staking point to a possible rebound.

By Zenz van der Wielen
• 2 min read
Ethereum Nears Historic Streak of Three Red Quarters, With Signs of a Rebound

Key Takeaways

  • Ethereum is at risk of closing three straight red quarters for the first time, but that historic streak is not final yet.
  • ETH is down 18.4% this quarter, after earlier drops of 28.28% and 29.26% in the two previous quarters.
  • The price bounced back slightly above $1,700, while technical signals and more than 39.5 million staked ETH point to resilience.

Ethereum is about to write a new chapter in its history: for the first time, the second-largest crypto asset is at risk of closing three straight red quarters. After drops of 28.28% in the fourth quarter of 2025 and 29.26% in the first quarter of 2026, Ethereum is still down 18.4% this quarter. With about two weeks left, though, it is still not certain that this historic streak will be completed.

Historical Context and Recent Performance

Ethereum has never closed three quarters in a row in the red, according to Coinglass data. The recent price drops pushed ETH close to multi-year lows and left investors deeply pessimistic. Analysts point out that this is the second-worst first half of the year for Ethereum since 2022. At the same time, there are signs that momentum could turn around. Broader risk markets got a boost after reports of a peace deal between the U.S. and Iran, which lifted total crypto market value by 2%. Ethereum outperformed a bit with a 2.6% gain and is back above $1,700 (€1,470).

Technical Signals and Staking Point to Resilience

Beyond market moves, technical indicators are also pointing to a possible turning point for Ethereum. Several metrics, like hitting a blue lower acceptance zone and certain RSI trends, seem to line up with earlier cycle bottoms. Still, experts warn that the low may not be in yet, especially since the weekly RSI has not stayed below 30 for long and the ETH/BTC pair remains in a strong downtrend.

One notable sign is the growth in staked ETH, which now tops more than 39.5 million across more than 887,000 validators. That points to strong long-term conviction from holders who would rather lock up their coins than sell, which helps limit selling pressure on-chain. Big players are also still accumulating ETH: Bitmine expands Ethereum treasury with $41 million in new purchases, despite the sharp price weakness.

What Does This Mean for European Investors?

For European crypto investors, this situation could matter because it gives a sense of possible market volatility and rebound potential in Ethereum, one of the most important crypto assets worldwide. The mix of technical signals and strong staking may suggest that investors are getting ready for stabilization or a recovery, despite the historical weakness in the third quarter. This highlights why it is important to watch both market data and on-chain metrics when trying to gauge future trends.

Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, legal, or tax advice. The information provided may be incomplete, inaccurate, or outdated and should not be relied upon as such. Nothing on this website should be considered a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any cryptocurrency. Investing in crypto-assets involves risk of loss.