Ethereum Turns 11: ETH Eyes $2K as Staking Hits Record, BlackRock Buys

Ethereum is trading near $1,900 this week as new data shows big money moving around the coin in different ways.

The Ethereum price prediction picture right now is mixed but leaning slightly positive. Staking just hit an all-time high. ETF flows are choppy. And one major asset manager may be swapping Bitcoin for ETH.

Let's break down what's happening and what it could mean for price.

Is BlackRock buying Ethereum instead of Bitcoin?

As per an Arkham tweet, this week, BlackRock's clients net sold about $60 million worth of the IBIT Bitcoin ETF. At the same time, they bought more than $20 million of ETH.

That's a notable shift. It doesn't mean BlackRock has flipped bearish on Bitcoin. But it does suggest some institutional money is spreading into Ethereum right now.

Some traders are asking if this is the start of a bigger rotation. It's too early to say for sure. One week of flows is a data point, not a trend.

How much ETH is staked right now?

Staking numbers back up the idea that long-term holders are still confident in Ethereum.

According to Bitwise's staking report, a record 40.2 million ETH is now staked. That's 33% of the entire supply, worth roughly $63 billion. The average yield sits at 2.84%.

More staking usually means less ETH sitting around ready to be sold. That can support price over time, though it's not a guarantee.

What do Ethereum ETF flows look like today?

ETF flows on July 29, 2026 were mixed. Spot ETH ETFs saw a total net outflow of $18.65 million.

Fidelity's FETH led the outflows with $16.07 million leaving the fund. Morgan Stanley's MSSE saw the opposite, pulling in $14.30 million. BlackRock's ETHA added $5.16 million.

Total net asset value across ETH ETFs stands at $10.37 billion. That's about 4.56% of Ethereum's entire market cap.

So while headline flows were negative, the picture underneath is more balanced than it first looks.

What is the Fed decision's impact on crypto?

The Federal Reserve kept interest rates unchanged on July 29, 2026, holding the target range at 3.50% to 3.75%. This marks the fifth straight meeting without a change, the longest pause since 2008.

The vote was 9-3, one of the more split decisions in recent memory. The Fed also held the interest rate on reserve balances at 3.65% and the primary credit rate at 3.75%.

A steady Fed usually means less shock to risk assets like Ethereum in the short term. Traders will be watching for any hints of a shift at the next meeting.

Ethereum price prediction: What does the chart show?

Looking at the daily ETH/USDT chart, the altcoin is moving inside a well-defined ascending channel after bouncing off its 2026 lows near $1,540.

Price is holding above both the 20-day and 50-day moving averages, which are acting as support underneath. The RSI sits around 55, showing moderate bullish momentum without being overbought.

If ETH holds the channel and breaks above resistance near $1,950 to $2,000, the next targets could be $2,050 and $2,150.

If price slips below the $1,850 to $1,870 zone, the channel could break down, opening the door to a retest of $1,750 or lower.

Overall, the setup favors a cautiously bullish view for now. A clean breakout above $2,000 would go a long way toward confirming it.

Does Ethereum's 11th anniversary boost rally hopes?

Ethereum is approaching its 11th anniversary, and some investors seem to be positioning ahead of it.

None of the numbers above guarantee a rally. Staking highs, ETF flows, and Fed decisions don't move in lockstep with anniversaries.

Still, the timing has certainly added to the bullish mood among traders. Anniversaries can bring extra attention to a coin, even if the fundamentals stay the same.

Whether this turns into real buying pressure or just chatter is something only the coming days will show.

Disclaimer

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or trading advice. Cryptocurrency markets are highly volatile and involve significant risk of loss. Always do your own research and consult a licensed financial advisor before making investment decisions.