1. Introduction to Ethereum

Ethereum was founded by Vitalik Buterin and others, and went online in 2015. It is a blockchain platform with smart contract functionality. Its native token ETH is widely used for paying transaction fees and staking validation. After the ‘Merge’ upgrade in 2022, Ethereum will switch to a Proof of Stake (PoS) mechanism, significantly reducing energy consumption. With technological iterations and increased user activity, the Ethereum ecosystem continues to expand, becoming a key infrastructure for Web3 and DeFi.

2. Price History Review

2015-2016: Starting Period

In the early days, the price of ETH was less than $1. After the 2016 DAO incident, it experienced a short-term decline but quickly recovered.

2017-2019: ICO fever and severe pullback

In 2017, benefiting from the ICO boom, the price of ETH surged from tens of dollars to over 1300 dollars, and then plummeted over 80% in the market cooling of 2018.

2020-2021: Bull Market and New Highs

Driven by global liquidity easing, DeFi, and NFT craze, Ethereum price hit a historical high of nearly $4900 in 2021.

2022-Present: Fluctuation Adjustment

Macro tightening and market cooling affect ETH’s fall, and after the 2022 merger and upgrade, the price fluctuation slowed down, reaching approximately $1811 as of April 2025.

Three, the main factors affecting the price

• Supply mechanism and destruction model: The destruction mechanism introduced by EIP-1559 and the long-term deflationary properties of the merged are beneficial to the price of ETH.
• The growth in network usage and demand: the prosperity of DeFi and NFTs increases the actual demand for ETH as gas and collateral assets.
• Macro environment and policy changes: Events such as Fed interest rate hikes, ETF approvals, etc. directly impact market sentiment and price fluctuations.
• Technical progress and competitive landscape: Ethereum’s future sharding upgrade and Layer2 scaling will enhance its long-term competitiveness.
• Regulatory dynamics and institutional trends: The advancement of ETH spot ETF and changes in compliance costs will alter the flow of funds.

4. Typical Event Impact

• Merge Upgrade (2022): Although the short-term price did not skyrocket, the improvement in energy efficiency and the strengthening of the deflation mechanism have enhanced its long-term investment logic.
• DeFi and NFT outbreaks: driving on-chain activity and rising gas fees, directly stimulating the upward price of ETH.
• External shock events: such as the collapse of FTX, can trigger market panic, leading to a short-term sharp decline.

5. Current Price Overview

As of the end of April 2025, the price of ETH is about $1811, with a total market value of about $218.7 billion and a 24-hour trading volume of about $11.8 billion. Compared to the high point of nearly $4900 in 2021, the current price still has room to rise, and the market sentiment is neutral, with the price fluctuating in the range of $1500 to $2000.

Six, Future Trend Outlook

• Optimistic prediction: If Ark Invest is bullish on ETH to $20,000, provided that the ecosystem continues to expand.
• Neutral view: Multiple models predict ETH to fluctuate between $6000 and $15000.
• Caution: The current on-chain activity is low, ETF fund inflows are weak, and short-term may still be suppressed.

Investors should pay attention to technological progress, on-chain data, policy news, and rationally evaluate risks and returns.

Conclusion

The Ethereum price fluctuates sharply, reflecting both technological and ecological development, as well as macro, policy, and market sentiment influences. Although short-term risks still exist, from the perspective of technological progress and long-term applications, ETH still has significant potential. Investors need to analyze comprehensively and judge rationally to avoid blindly following the trend in trading.