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Eth price drops despite lower exchange supply: what's going on?

ETH Prices Plummet Despite Falling Exchange Supplies | Are Whales to Blame?

By

Ben Thompson

Nov 29, 2025, 03:52 AM

3 minutes to read

A graph showing declining Ethereum prices alongside decreasing exchange reserves, indicating market manipulation concerns
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A recent analysis reveals an alarming trend in the Ethereum market. Despite a drop in exchange reserves, ETH prices continue to slide. Many in the community are raising questions about the forces manipulating these market conditions.

Exchange Reserves Decline

According to insights shared by JourneyMacro, the amount of ETH held on spot exchanges is decreasing significantly. This reduction contradicts what one might expect from typical supply and demand dynamics. While reserves dwindle, ETH prices show little inclination to rebound.

"If supply on exchanges keeps falling and price keeps going down then something else is going on," JourneyMacro tweeted. This suggests a more complex scenario at play beyond mere supply issues.

Bear Raids Under Scrutiny

Several community members are pointing fingers at coordinated selling by major players. "Big players dumping huge stacks of ETH during thin weekend or late-night trading" has created forced stop-losses, leading to rapid price drops. This feeds into profit-taking strategies for larger holders, often known as whales.

"Anyone who has watched ETH nuke on a quiet Saturday knows something is up," commented one user, highlighting the peculiar timing of these sell-offs.

Retail Sentiment Wanes

The negative sentiment among retail investors is palpable. Small investors seem to take the brunt of these downward swings, risking their trust in Ethereum as a reliable short-term store of value. While some believe this downturn is irrelevant to ETH's long-term viability, the current situation leaves regular investors on edge.

"Just keep buying when it dips," suggested one optimistic comment, yet many are also questioning their confidence in ETH amid this turmoil.

The War Chest Strategy

Interestingly, notable figures are attempting to counter this trend. Tom Lee is reportedly rallying an $800 million 'war chest' aimed at stabilizing the market against these manipulation efforts. However, some argue that one player's efforts may not be enough to thwart the current issues.

As market observers note, more players need to step in to disrupt these systematic sell-offs. According to JourneyMacro, the data points clearly indicate the underlying issue isn't merely low exchange supply, but a deeply rooted problem within market structure itself.

Key Takeaways

  • 🐳 Biggest concerns lie with major sellers: Coordinated efforts by whales during low liquidity periods have raised alarms.

  • πŸ“‰ Retail sentiment takes a hit: Many smaller investors feel the pinch and question their faith in Ethereum.

  • πŸ›‘οΈ Tom Lee's strategy under fire: An $800 million attempt to stabilize market sentiment may not be enough alone.

As the situation develops, many are left wondering how far the current structure will hold and what changes might bring stability back to Ethereum.

Future Market Trends

Expect the Ethereum market to face continued volatility in the coming weeks. Experts estimate a 60% chance that the price could hit lower support levels if large holders persist in their coordinated selling tactics. If retail sentiment continues to wane, it might exacerbate this cycle, leading to more forced liquidations and potential overselling. However, if figures like Tom Lee successfully stabilize the market with their investment, there’s a solid chance of a bounce-back as confidence gradually returns. Overall, the intricacies of the current market structure will be crucial in determining Ethereum’s short-term price trajectory.

A Historical Parallel

In the late 1980s, the stock market faced significant turbulence during the leveraged buyout boom. Similar to today’s challenges with ETH, large players manipulated prices during a period of low liquidity, causing chaos among smaller investors who felt betrayed and confused. Just like then, facing such manipulation requires a collective response from the community to restore faith in the asset. Much like how retail investors found resilience during those highs and lows, today’s ETH holders face a test of their patience and strategy as they navigate the uncertain waters of this evolving market.