Published & Updated: January 26, 2026
Ethereum experienced a sharp decline to around $2,873 on January 26, 2026, reflecting broader risk-off sentiment across crypto markets. The drop aligns with Bitcoin falling below $86,000, major altcoins (Solana below $120, BNB and XRP under pressure), and $1.08 billion in total liquidations over the weekend. ETH hit an intraday low of $2,809.43 before recovering slightly to $2,862.41 (+1.71% intraday as of latest data), erasing much of its January gains and testing mid-December levels. This article breaks down the price action, key drivers, technical support zones, cross-asset context, sentiment indicators, and actionable trading setups on Tapbit for navigating the current weakness and potential rebound.
Ethereum Price Snapshot – January 26, 2026
| Metric | Value | Notes / Context |
|---|---|---|
| Current Price (ETH/USD) | $2,862.41 | +1.71% intraday recovery |
| 24h Low | $2,809.43 | New 2026 low tested |
| 24h High | ~$2,895 | Failed resistance attempt |
| 24h Change | -2.6% to -5% (depending on reference) | Weekend sell-off dominant |
| Weekly Change | Deep red | Erased most January gains |
| Market Cap Rank | #2 | Still dominant altcoin |
| 24h Volume | Elevated | Liquidation-driven spike |
What Happened: Timeline of the ETH Decline
- Saturday–Sunday (Jan 24–25): ETH falls as much as 5.7% in risk-off wave, dipping below **$2,800** intraday
- Sunday late US / Monday Asia: Low of $2,809.43 hit amid $1.08B total crypto liquidations
- Monday recovery: Price rebounds to $2,862–$2,873 zone (+1.71% intraday)
- Current context: Trading near mid-December 2025 lows, erasing January upside
The move mirrors Bitcoin’s correlated weakness below $86K and broader altcoin pressure (Solana < $120, BNB/XRP down sharply).
Key Drivers Behind Ethereum’s Drop to $2,873
Multiple macro and market factors converged:
- Geopolitical & risk-off sentiment: Renewed US–NATO tensions over Greenland, tariff threats, and global uncertainty triggered flight from risk assets
- Leverage flush & liquidations: $1.08B in total crypto liquidations (mostly longs) amplified downside pressure
- Bitcoin correlation drag: BTC below $86K acted as the anchor; ETH typically exhibits 1.2–1.5× beta to BTC in risk-off phases
- Profit-taking after January run: ETH erased gains following earlier rally; institutional rebalancing likely contributed
- Broader altcoin weakness: Solana, BNB, XRP, and others followed similar paths, reflecting sector-wide sentiment deterioration
Technical Levels & Support Zones to Watch
Ethereum (ETH) – Current ~$2,862–$2,873
- Immediate Support: $2,760–$2,809 (recent low + psychological zone)
- Critical Support: $2,700–$2,750 (prior swing area + 200-day EMA proxy)
- Resistance: $2,900–$2,950 (failed high + 50-day EMA cluster)
- Next Major Resistance: $3,000–$3,100*(psychological + prior consolidation)
- RSI (Daily): ~35–40 → oversold, room for bounce
- Volume: Elevated on the drop → liquidation-driven, watch for drying up on recovery
Broader Market Context – Altcoins & Cross-Asset Rotation
- Solana: Below $120, mirroring ETH weakness
- BNB & XRP: Sharp declines, risk-off correlation high
- Bitcoin: Anchor below $86K → ETH beta amplified downside
- Gold: Near all-time highs → classic safe-haven rotation
- Equities: U.S. indices down ~2% → macro risk-off dominant
Whale accumulation signals in Solana hint at potential localized rebounds, but ETH must hold $2,760–$2,809 to avoid deeper correction toward $2,500–$2,600.
Tapbit Trading Strategies for the Current ETH Weakness
- Create your Tapbit account (0% maker fees)
- Deposit USDT via P2P or card
- Spot accumulation: DCA ETH/USDT on dips toward $2,760–$2,809 (strong support cluster)
- Futures rebound play: Long ETH/USDT perpetuals on oversold bounce (RSI <30 + volume spike) — 20–50x leverage, isolated margin
- Macro hedge: Long XAU/USDT perpetuals if risk-off persists (safe-haven rotation)
- Risk control: Max 1–2% account risk per trade; isolated margin + trailing stops below $2,700
Conclusion & Near-Term Outlook
Ethereum’s drop to $2,873 (intraday low $2,809) on January 26, 2026 reflects broader risk-off sentiment, $1.08 billion in liquidations, and correlated weakness in Bitcoin and major altcoins (Solana < $120, BNB/XRP down sharply). The weekend sell-off erased most January gains, but the quick intraday recovery to $2,862 (+1.71%) and oversold technicals (RSI ~35–40) suggest potential stabilization if $2,760–$2,809 support holds. Macro caution (geopolitics, tariff threats, Fed path) remains, but whale signals in related assets hint at localized bottoms.
Trade ETH weakness & potential rebound on Tapbit:
- Sign Up on Tapbit (0% maker fees)
- Login & Deposit
- Live ETH/USDT Charts & Perpetual Futures
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment or trading advice. Cryptocurrency markets are highly volatile and subject to rapid changes in sentiment, macro conditions, and geopolitical events. Always conduct your own research (DYOR) and never invest more than you can afford to lose completely.
