Ether is unlikely to reach a new high in 2026: Crypto Analyst
Given the current situation for Bitcoin, Ethereum is unlikely to reach new highs in the coming year, said crypto analyst Benjamin Cowen.
“If Bitcoin is really in a bear market, which it sounds like, it would be very difficult for Ethereum to get out there,” Cowen said on Tuesday's Bankless podcast.
This comes after veteran trader Peter Brandt predicted on December 19 that Bitcoin could fall as low as $60,000 in the third quarter of 2026.
However, Cowen said that if Ether (ETH) is able to recapture the high of $4,878 reached at the end of August, it could be a “bull trap” with a rapid reversal to $2,000 following a price rally.
Ether's all-time high recovery will jump 40%.
Ethereum briefly retook its 2021 all-time high of $4,878 on August 22, before retracing its downward trend to $2,767 in November.
At the time of publication, Ether is trading at $2,898 according to CoinMarketCap. A return to highs would indicate a 40.59% upside from current levels.
However, Cowen emphasized that the situation is not impossible for Ether, but it probably won't trigger a domino effect on the broader crypto market next year.
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“The only altcoin I'm even considering is Ethereum. I think a lot of other altcoins are kind of ripe for the cycle at this point,” he said, adding that if they haven't already, they won't reach new highs this cycle.
Fundstrat Global Advisors warned investors on December 17 that a “significant decline” could occur in 2026, which could cause Ether to fall between $1,800 and $2,000.
Meanwhile, crypto analyst Crypto With James said on December 16 that Ether is “not done yet” and a recent return to higher levels is still on the table.
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