Analysts highlight ETH USD priming to retest $4,700 – and amidst the pressure of upside down, is the dark money spinning into Ethereum?

The wallet, tied to a $300 million Coinbase scam, bought $18.9 million worth of ether as ETH was torn apart from $4,700 yesterday.

According to LookonChain, the crypto address linked to the “Coinbase Hacker” campaign purchased 3,976 ETH on September 13 for $18.9 million.

Hackers who stole over $300 million #coinbase Users purchased an additional 3,976 $ eth($18.9m) 1 hour ago at $4,756 https://t.co/xgglej7nrd pic.twitter.com/wrxobukk7k

– lookonchain (@lookonchain) September 13, 2025

The purchase, made at an average price of $4,756, came as ether was pushed above $4,700.

Analysts tracking the wallet say that before converting to ETH, the funds were attracting attention with DAIs of 189.11 million. Arkham Intelligence data Before swapping, we present the wallet aggregation DAI in amounts ranging from $80,000 to $6 million.

The address has also been active recently, winning 4,863 ETH and 649 ETH in July, and Solana worth around $8 million in August.

Blockchain Investigator Zachxbt Estimated The broader scheme released at least $330 million from the casualties earlier this year.

2/With me @tanuki42_ We checked Coinbase drawers and collected data from DMS for high confidence theft across various chains.

Below is a table showing $65 million stolen from Coinbase users between December 2024 and January 2025.

Our numbers are probably much lower… pic.twitter.com/zceq5aggyu

– Zachxbt (@zachxbt) February 3, 2025

Called a wide range of social engineering campaigns, this operation targets Coinbase users and maintains the wallet under close surveillance from analysts on the chain.

The latest timing of ETH accumulation has strengthened speculation on ethers in the market rotation.

Traders noted that the wallet movement coincided with ETH/USD’s new momentum, adding weight to the narrative of deep pocket actors moving into assets.

Ethereum Price Analysis: How much higher is the ETH if the $4,700 neckline is rested?

Ethereum shows new strength, with technical signals pointing to breakouts that could send prices to $5,500.

Follow Transaction Data ViewETH trades nearly $4,660, holding above the short-term moving average of the four-hour chart.

(Source – ETH USDT, TradingView))

The 50-EMA is $4,462 and the 100-EMA is $4,421, both facing upwards. This setup suggests that buyers will continue to maintain control despite the minor pullback.

More volume has been seen in recent sessions, supporting movements from the $4,300 range of ETH over $4,650 in just a few days.

The wider structure shows a recovery trend after several weeks of lateral action. Short-term candles reveal signs of fresh purchases, stable demand, following short dips.

Momentum may continue if your ETH holds support above 50-EMA. Otherwise, there is a risk that the price will return to the $4,400-$4,300 zone.

Crypto analyst Titan pointed out the double bottom pattern of Adam & Eve on his daily charts.

(Source – x))

The formation combines a sharp “V” shape low with a round base to indicate a potential inversion. The neckline is below $4,700, close to current levels.

A confirmed breakout in which the neckline projects travel targets measured along historic resistance to $5,500. This adds weight to the view that Ethereum can be set up for a more substantial gathering if pressure is kept.

What are Derivatives saying to us about Ethereum’s next move?

If Ethereum breaks above the neckline, traders could be bullish at $5,500 as their next target. But if that fails, the price could be pulled back to test how solid the recent gatherings are.

The activity of the derivatives indicates an increase in positioning. Coinglass data ETH futures puts a favorable interest of nearly $64 billion, but the funding rate for the final session was stable, hovering about 0.01% in the major exchanges, but not overkill.

(Source – Coinglass))

Spot ETF flow has also been improved. On September 12, Farside investors reported net inflows into US ETH funds after a few days of outflowrefers to fresh institutional demand.

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$7.5 trillion is now parked in U.S. money market funds. This vast amount of capital marks a new all-time high that risk asset traders are closely watching. Why? Because as yields trend lower and the Fed prepares to cut rates, this colossal dry powder could be primed to flood into risk assets, including tech stocks and Bitcoin.

Money market funds and the dry powder dilemma

Money market funds have soared by almost $100 billion in just days. Bar Chart posted the figure at $7.4 trillion on September 9, only to be updated on September 13 to $7.5 trillion.

Semantics? Maybe, either way, it’s a huge wave of liquidity that could soon be looking for a new home.

Traditionally, this much cash on the sidelines signals huge pent-up appetite for risk, especially as interest rates fall and safe returns shrink. Every rate cut makes holding cash less attractive. So once the Fed slashes rates, investors will seek out higher-yielding, risk-on opportunities, such as Bitcoin and growth stocks.

The Fed’s upcoming rate cut is a hot topic. Most crypto traders and institutional analysts expect fresh liquidity to flow into markets after the cut, catalyzing new bull runs for volatile assets. Lower rates mean easy capital, looser financial conditions, and less incentive to stay parked in money market funds.

Voices of caution: not everyone wants a rate cut

It’s not a unanimous party, as CryptoSlate reported yesterday. Vocal critics, such as economist and goldbug Peter Schiff, call the Fed’s rate cut a “huge mistake,” warning it could reignite inflation and put the dollar at risk as a reserve currency.

Schiff argues that constantly easier money is fueling dangerous bubbles and eroding long-term economic stability, pointing to gold’s rally as a forward signal of policy error.

The scale of money market funds today is unprecedented, and it’s drawing new scrutiny to America’s fiscal health. 23 cents of every tax dollar now goes strictly to paying interest on U.S. federal debt, an eyewatering figure that has investors and policymakers sounding the alarm.

The S&P 500 is at record highs as unemployment rises and the national debt balloons. This dichotomy has some analysts concerned about the misstep between Wall Street and Main Street. Typically, a stock market correction comes after a weaker labor market and signs of a sluggish economy.

$7.5 trillion: keep watching the numbers

With a rate cut on the horizon, historic money market liquidity, and mounting fiscal worries, all eyes are on how the dry powder gets deployed. If investors rotate even a fraction of this $7.5 trillion into riskier assets, crypto markets could benefit dramatically.

Keep watching the numbers. Every move in rates, every inflation print, and every fiscal headline is rewriting the risk landscape. For Bitcoin and risk assets, opportunity and volatility have never looked bigger.

Trusted Editorial content, reviewed by leading industry experts and seasoned editors. Ad Disclosure

Ethereum is facing a pivotal test as the market struggles to hold momentum amid mounting selling pressure. After losing the $4,500 level, ETH has entered a tight consolidation range, with bulls now forced to defend current levels. Analysts warn that failure to reclaim $4,500 soon could open the door to a deeper correction, with downside targets near $3,900. This growing uncertainty weighs on sentiment, but institutions appear unfazed, continuing to accumulate ETH aggressively.

According to data from Lookonchain, whales and institutions purchased an impressive 218,750 ETH—worth approximately $942.8 million—in just the past two days. This surge in accumulation reflects a broader bet on Ethereum’s strength, not only as a leading smart contract platform but also as the centerpiece of an anticipated altcoin rally. With capital rotation away from Bitcoin becoming more evident, institutions appear to be positioning themselves early for Ethereum’s next potential leg higher.

Despite the pressure, Ethereum’s fundamentals remain robust, supported by increasing institutional flows, steady whale activity, and a growing DeFi ecosystem. The battle between bulls defending support and bears pushing for lower levels sets the stage for ETH’s trajectory in the next phase of this cycle.

Institutional Ethereum Accumulation Strengthens Bullish Outlook

Institutional flows into Ethereum remain strong despite the recent pullback. Lookonchain reports that Bitmine, one of the most active institutional players in the space, purchased 69,603 ETH—valued at around $300 million—from BitGo and Galaxy Digital.

Additionally, five newly created wallets collectively purchased 102,455 ETH, valued at approximately $441.6 million, from FalconX. These large-scale acquisitions highlight continued confidence in Ethereum’s long-term potential and reinforce the view that institutions are positioning themselves for future gains.

This wave of accumulation is significant for several reasons. First, it underscores Ethereum’s growing status as the centerpiece of institutional strategies, particularly in the context of capital rotation from Bitcoin into altcoins. Second, it demonstrates that even amid heightened volatility, demand for ETH remains resilient. These purchases, executed in size, suggest that institutional buyers are not only unfazed by short-term corrections but are actively using them as opportunities to scale exposure.

That said, risks remain in the near term. Technically, Ethereum must hold above $4,200 to avoid a sharper decline. Should this level fail, the next meaningful support lies near $3,900, a zone that could invite further selling pressure before buyers return. For now, institutional conviction provides a strong counterbalance to market uncertainty, signaling that Ethereum’s structural demand remains intact and may serve as the backbone of its next bullish phase.

ETH Consolidates Around Key Levels

Ethereum (ETH) is consolidating just below the $4,500 level, currently trading near $4,395 after days of sideways movement. The chart shows ETH maintaining a tight range between $4,250 and $4,500, with repeated tests of both support and resistance levels. This pattern reflects growing market indecision, as buyers attempt to defend structural demand while sellers continue applying pressure.

The 50-day moving average (blue line) is slightly above current price levels, acting as dynamic resistance, while the 100-day moving average (green line) around $4,313 provides nearby support. A sustained close below $4,250 would open the door for a deeper correction toward $3,900, which is the next significant support zone. On the upside, ETH must break and hold above $4,500 to confirm bullish momentum and potentially retest highs near $4,800.

Despite the lack of direction in price action, the broader structure remains constructive, with ETH trading well above the 200-day moving average (red line), which is trending upward near $3,773. This suggests the long-term bullish trend is intact, but the immediate outlook hinges on whether bulls can defend the $4,200–$4,250 area. For now, ETH remains in consolidation, with breakout or breakdown signals yet to materialize.

Featured image from Dall-E, chart from TradingView

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A leading crypto adviser is sending an urgent message to XRP investors. Jake Claver, who advises the ultra-wealthy, says the time to prepare is before XRP becomes real money. He warns that too many investors wait until after profits arrive, and by then it may be too late to avoid problems. Claver explains that early planning could be the best way to protect XRP investor gains and keep them safe. According to him, waiting until the windfall is already in their wallet leaves them exposed and unprepared.

Get Your Structure In Place Before XRP Profits Arrive

Jake Claver’s first piece of advice in his X post is direct: get your structure in place before profits come in. He says many XRP investors are waiting too long, and that delay can lead to risks that are hard to fix later. As a crypto adviser for the ultra wealthy, Claver has seen how fast success can turn into trouble when investors ignore planning. He makes it clear that action must come before the gains, not after.

Related Reading

The crypto adviser stresses that XRP investors need to focus on legal, tax, and security planning while they still have time. If these steps are skipped or delayed, investors may face significant burdens when their coins become of real value. Problems can arise quickly, and once they do, they become more complex and more expensive to resolve. 

Claver cautions that establishing a structure is not about fear but being smart. Building the right plan now helps investors enjoy their success later without stress. In his view, the best way to secure digital wealth is to take action early, not when the profits are already sitting in the wallet.

Trusts, LLCs, And Custody Solutions Built For Digital Assets

Jake Claver also points to the tools he thinks work best for building crypto wealth. He says basic templates are not enough for serious investors, and XRP holders need structures made for digital assets if they want their coins to turn into lasting money.

The crypto adviser for the ultra-wealthy recommends using digital asset–specific trusts, LLCs, and custody solutions. These solutions could provide XRP investors with lasting financial security, giving them a strong way to protect their wealth and avoid costly mistakes as their digital holdings gradually turn into real money.

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The tools are not one-size-fits-all but they handle the fast growth and changing rules around digital coins. With the proper setup, XRP investors can protect their profits, pass on wealth to the next generation, and keep it safe from sudden losses.

Claver’s warning is clear, asking XRP investors to act early. By putting these protections in place before profits arrive, they can hold on to the value they have built and avoid risks from waiting too long. 

Featured image from Dall.E, chart from TradingView.com

Crypto Journalist

Anas Hassan

Crypto Journalist

Anas Hassan

About Author

Anas is a crypto native journalist and SEO writer with over five years of writing experience covering blockchain, crypto, DeFi, and emerging tech.

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Last updated: 

August 29, 2025

US financial institutions processed $312 billion in suspicious transactions linked to Chinese money laundering networks between January 2020 and December 2024, according to a new FinCEN analysis of 137,153 Bank Secrecy Act reports.

These surprisingly unexpected big figures emerge as crypto exchanges face intensified regulatory scrutiny for money laundering, despite traditional banking systems handling vastly larger volumes of illicit funds.

Chinese money laundering networks have established sophisticated partnerships with Mexico-based drug cartels, exploiting currency restrictions in both countries.

Mexican currency laws prevent large dollar deposits in local banks, while China’s currency controls limit overseas transfers by its citizens. This regulatory gap allows cartels to sell illicit dollars to Chinese nationals seeking to circumvent Beijing’s capital controls.

The networks extend beyond drug trafficking into human trafficking, healthcare fraud, and real estate purchases worth $53.7 billion in suspicious activity.

FinCEN identified 1,675 reports involving human trafficking and 43 reports covering $766 million in suspicious adult day care center activity in New York alone.

Banks Handle Bulk of Criminal Money While Crypto Faces Heat

Banks accounted for $246 billion of the total suspicious transactions, while money service businesses handled $42 billion and securities firms processed $23 billion.

The average annual flow through US banking systems reached $62 billion from Chinese money laundering operations alone.

Historical cases reveal systematic banking vulnerabilities to criminal exploitation.

Wachovia Bank laundered $350 billion for Mexican drug cartels between 2007 and 2010, receiving only a $160 million penalty despite the massive scale.

Danske Bank processed $228 billion in suspicious transactions from Russia between 2007 and 2015, ignoring internal warnings throughout the period.

Similarly, HSBC paid $1.9 billion in 2012 for allowing drug cartels to transfer hundreds of millions through accounts, with criminals using specially designed cash deposit boxes that fit perfectly into bank slots.

TD Bank agreed to pay over $3 billion after prosecutors found the institution had been used to launder more than $470 million through Chinese networks in New York and New Jersey.

In fact, dating back to 2021, the 1MDB scandal involved over $1 billion stolen through global banking networks, with funds used to purchase luxury real estate, yachts, and artwork across major cities.

Bank of Credit and Commerce International laundered billions for drug cartels and corrupt governments before its 1991 closure forced stricter international banking regulations.

Criminal organizations recruit bank employees as complicit insiders and use counterfeit Chinese passports to facilitate account openings.

Money mules often report occupations as “student,” “housewife,” or “retired” during onboarding to explain large transaction volumes that are inconsistent with their stated professions.

Regulators Target Crypto Despite Minimal Illicit Activity Share

Cryptocurrency transactions represent ‘less than 1%’ of total money laundering activity globally, according to TRM Labs.

In fact, Chainalysis data shows illicit crypto volumes totaled approximately $189 billion over five years, compared to over $2 trillion laundered annually through traditional financial systems worldwide.

Despite this disparity, regulators are intensifying their enforcement actions against crypto.

Most recently, Binance Australia was required to appoint an external auditor within 28 days after AUSTRAC identified “serious concerns” with its anti-money laundering controls.

French authorities have also launched investigations into Binance over alleged violations, while European regulators are considering penalties against OKX following $100 million in allegedly laundered funds.

Australian enforcement expanded through systematic compliance reviews, with AUSTRAC targeting 13 remittance providers while investigating 50 additional platforms.

The agency cancelled or refused renewals for nine providers that failed to comply with their obligations, contrasting sharply with the limited penalties imposed on the banking sector despite vastly larger suspicious transaction volumes.

Senator Elizabeth Warren continues to demand tougher crypto regulations, stating, “Bad actors are increasingly turning to cryptocurrency to enable money laundering.”

However, FinCEN data reveals that Chinese money laundering networks primarily operate through traditional banking channels rather than digital assets.

Blockchain analytics firm Chainalysis reported illicit crypto transactions reached $51.3 billion in 2024, an 11.3% increase, but still representing a fraction of the $312 billion in suspicious banking transactions identified during the same period.

Bitcoin (BTC) grew to account for about 1.7% of global money, a figure that includes aggregate M2 money supply data for all major fiat currencies, the largest minor currencies, and gold’s market cap, according to River, a Bitcoin financial services company.

“In 16 years, Bitcoin went up to 1.7% of global money,” River said. The company weighed Bitcoin’s market cap against a $112.9 trillion basket of fiat currencies and $25.1 trillion in hard money, which excluded silver, platinum, and exotic metals like palladium.

The data assumes Bitcoin has a market capitalization of $2.4 trillion, which it topped earlier in August. However, BTC’s current market cap is approximately $2.29 trillion, which brings its total share of global money down to around 1.66% at the time of this writing.

Bitcoin and gold continue to claim a greater share of the global money pie as central banks around the world inflate their fiat currencies through excessive money printing, destroying purchasing power and driving investors to hard money alternatives.

Related: Crypto sentiment returns to Greed as Bitcoin and Ether spike on Fed speech

US Federal Reserve chair signals coming rate cuts and continued monetary expansion

United States Federal Reserve chairman Jerome Powell delivered a keynote address at the Jackson Hole Economic Symposium in Wyoming on Friday, signaling impending interest rate cuts and continued monetary expansion. Powell said:

“Our policy rate is now 100 basis points (BPS) closer to neutral than it was a year ago, and the stability of the unemployment rate and other labor market measures allows us to proceed carefully as we consider changes to our policy stance.”

The price of Bitcoin surged by over 2% in response to Powell’s speech, hitting a price of about $116,000 per BTC on Friday.

Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies tend to appreciate during periods of monetary expansion, as the price of digital assets continues to correlate with global liquidity levels.

75% of investors now anticipate an interest rate cut of 25 basis points in September, according to data from the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) Group.

Magazine: Baby boomers worth $79T are finally getting on board with Bitcoin

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