Sentiment says ETH hits highest since January amid whale activity and growing holdings

Ethereum broke through $2,630 on the 18th (local time), hitting its highest point since January. On-chain analytics firm Sentiment reported that Ethereum whale activity has become more active. Sentiment stated, "The number of non-empty wallets holding Ethereum now stands at 207 million, a historical high. This shows Ethereum has secured a broad holding base despite market instability over several months."

Staking is also supporting long-term Ethereum holdings, with over 40 million ETH staked currently. Decentralized finance (DeFi) further enhances Ethereum's utility, with total value locked (TVL) on Ethereum-based DeFi platforms reaching approximately $50 billion. Various markets including stablecoins, lending, decentralized exchanges (DEX), and liquid staking have formed, allowing Ethereum holders to utilize their holdings in diverse ways beyond just price appreciation expectations.