Ethereum faces key resistance: Is it time to sell or accumulate?

Ethereum's price has broken a key technical resistance against Bitcoin, which could herald a new phase of altcoin market leadership in 2025.

Ethereum has broken through a technical resistance level against Bitcoin that it hasn't managed to break since 2017 and 2021, two years that marked bullish cycles in the crypto market. This breakout, according to technical analysts and recent data, could signal the beginning of a new phase of expansion for altcoins, with Ethereum taking center stage. 

Amid a volatile macroeconomic environment and growing institutional attention, the ETH/BTC pair is once again gaining attention as an indicator of a changing cycle.

ETH breaks historical barriers and positions itself to lead the market

Ethereum has reached a technical point it hasn't touched in years. The ETH/BTC chart shows a possible breakout of the descending trend line connecting the relative highs of 2017 and 2021, two historic moments that marked the beginning of massive expansion phases for altcoins. This time, the breakout is projected for the remainder of 2025, and the technical signal suggests that Ethereum could be ready to regain prominence against Bitcoin.

The graph, shared by investor and analyst CryptooELiTES, draws a downward line that connects the peaks of ETH/BTC in 2017 and 2021, with a projection of a breakout in the remainder of the year. 

The ETH/BTC ratio is currently hovering around the 0.06 level, and the chart suggests a potential rally towards the 0.10 level or higher, which would imply a significant appreciation of Ethereum against Bitcoin. This breakout not only has technical implications but also narrative ones, as historically, every time Ethereum has broken through this resistance, the market has entered an altseason phase, where alternative cryptocurrencies outperform the dominant asset, Bitcoin.

Meanwhile, technical analysts have noted that Ethereum's expected resistance levels this year are between $3.900 and $4.100, which is consistent with the technical ranges observed in previous cycles. The convergence of technical analysis and market behavior suggests that Ethereum could be entering a leadership phase, similar to the one it experienced in the 2017 and 2021 cycles.

The ETH/BTC pair as an indicator of a change in the cycle

The ETH/BTC pair has historically been a compass for anticipating movements in the altcoin market. When Ethereum gains ground against Bitcoin, it often triggers a altseason, a period in which alternative cryptocurrencies outperform the dominant cryptocurrency. This correlation isn't perfect, but it has been consistent over the past two cycles.

In 2017, the ETH/BTC breakout coincided with a widespread boom in tokens, ICOs, and decentralized platforms. In 2021, the pair's rally aligned with the explosive growth of DeFi, NFTs, and scalability solutions like Layer 2. In both cases, Ethereum led not only in price but also in the technological narrative.

Now, in 2025, the technical breakthrough is putting Ethereum back in the spotlight. The difference is that the ecosystem has matured. Layer-two solutions are operational, institutional tokenization is advancing, and regulatory frameworks are beginning to take shape. In this context, Ethereum is no longer just a promise of innovation, but a consolidated infrastructure that supports multiple sectors of the crypto space.

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Is it time to accumulate or take profits?

The question that arises in this scenario is whether this is an accumulation opportunity or a favorable time to take profits. The answer depends on each investor's time horizon and risk profile.

For those operating with a long-term view, Ethereum's technical breakthrough and institutional strengthening could justify a gradual accumulation strategy. The thesis would be that Ethereum will lead the next phase of market growth, driven by its role in tokenization, DeFi infrastructure, and adoption by traditional players.

On the other hand, those who prioritize active risk management might view the current rally as an opportunity to profit, especially if the market shows signs of overbought or approaches projected resistance zones. In this case, the strategy would be more tactical, based on rotating into assets with greater short-term potential or preserving capital.

Whatever the approach, what seems clear is that Ethereum has regained technical and narrative prominence. The breakout against Bitcoin doesn't guarantee an immediate bull run, but it does suggest that the market is willing to reconsider ETH's leadership in an environment where infrastructure, regulation, and institutional adoption are evolving.