Ethereum’s Challenges: Why the Price Isn’t Moving Up

Ethereum’s price has been stuck in a tight range for months, and the reasons go beyond just market mood. The Ethereum Foundation, once the guiding force behind the network, is shrinking. Key decision-makers have left, leaving behind questions about where the project is headed. Without clear leadership, investors hesitate, and that hesitation shows in the numbers. While Bitcoin ETFs pulled in billions, Ethereum’s version struggled to attract the same level of interest. In fact, November 2025 saw $1. 4 billion flow out of Ethereum ETFs—the biggest monthly drop since they launched. That kind of withdrawal puts pressure on prices, making it harder for Ethereum to bounce back.The bigger issue might be how Ethereum makes money. The network relies on fees, but Layer 2 solutions—designed to help Ethereum scale—are keeping most of the profits for themselves. After a major update in 2025, Layer 2 networks now keep over 90% of their revenue instead of sharing it with Ethereum’s main chain. That update did lower transaction costs, but it also starved Ethereum of the income it once had. Without a way to fix this, the network’s growth isn’t translating into value for those holding ETH. Still, some big investors aren’t giving up. Banks like Standard Chartered still see long-term potential, predicting Ethereum could hit $7, 500 by 2026 and $40, 000 by 2030. Others, like VanEck, are even more optimistic. But these predictions depend on big changes happening first. Two upgrades are planned for the next few years: Glamsterdam, which will speed up transactions, and Hegotá, which will focus on privacy and fairness. If these work, they could help Ethereum compete better—but so far, the market hasn’t reacted.