Ethereum Reserves Plummet as Whales Shift to Self-Custody

Binance and Coinbase have witnessed significant drops in Ethereum reserves as investors move toward self-custody and staking. Recent data reveals a decline of over 1.6 million ETH on these platforms, with market confidence driven by bullish sentiment and reduced speculation. The trend coincides with increased investor interest in long-term holdings and decentralized finance (DeFi) applications. Ethereum trading near $4,300, the dwindling reserves highlight scarcity, potentially influencing price trends. This move aligns with accumulation patterns where holders transfer tokens from centralized exchanges to private wallets or staking contracts. This removal of liquidity strengthens support levels as fewer coins are readily available for immediate selling. 71.2% of traders on Binance favor long positions and a balanced market is reflected in the 2.47 long-to-short ratio. However, the robust bullish bias carries risks of sudden shifts in sentiment leading to liquidations if leverage positions are exposed. Funding rates remain at 0.0082%, indicating controlled leverage. Despite declines in revenue due to the Ethereum Dencun upgrade, which lowered transaction costs for layer two rollups, the network continues to attract institutional investment. Etherealize, a company focused on corporate Ethereum adoption, raised $40 million in September. Staking remains popular among long-term holders, serving as both a yield opportunity and a means to secure the network.