Ethereum holds above its demand zone as $79M ETF outflows meet major institutional buying ahead of the December 3 Fusaka network upgrade.
Ethereum has entered a key phase at the start of December. While ETF outflows rose to $79 million, institutional investors increased their ETH holdings. At the same time, the price of Ethereum has bounced off a strong demand zone.
This activity comes just days ahead of the Fusaka upgrade scheduled for December 3, which could improve efficiency on the Ethereum network.
ETF Outflows Climb, Yet Liquidity Remains Controlled
Ethereum-linked exchange-traded funds (ETFs) registered outflows totaling $79 million over recent days. Normally, such movements might indicate selling pressure in the market. However, the outflows have not added to short-term volatility.
$ETH ETF outflow of $79,000,000 🔴 yesterday.
BlackRock bought $26,700,000 in Ethereum. pic.twitter.com/qaMi7Oz6z3
— Ted (@TedPillows) December 2, 2025
Instead of causing direct price drops, the ETF withdrawals took supply off exchanges. This led to reduced liquidity, which did not hurt market performance. Traders often monitor such shifts to understand whether outflows are driven by panic or positioning.
This recent behavior suggests that the ETH market absorbed the withdrawals well. The price of Ethereum stabilized above the $2,800 level despite the outflows. The demand zone remained active, showing buyers were still present during this move.
Institutional Buyers Increase Accumulation Near Support
Institutions increased their exposure to ETH while ETFs recorded capital exits. One example was BitMine, led by Tom Lee, which purchased 96,798 ETH during the week. This addition came near the $2,723–$2,807 range, a zone previously identified as support.
🚨 Tom Lee’s BitMine Acquires 96,798 $ETH Ahead of #Ethereum Fusaka #Upgrade#crypto pic.twitter.com/dsR2QjdWMa
— CryptOpus (@ImCryptOpus) December 2, 2025
This purchase marked one of the largest recent institutional moves into Ethereum. In parallel, BlackRock added to its ETH position with a $26.7 million allocation. The timing aligns with a period when ETH was trading below its short-term resistance.
These institutional activities added to the buying pressure already forming near the bottom of Ethereum’s range. The double-bottom pattern around $2,723 signaled potential price recovery. Traders observed this move as part of a broader structural bounce from recent lows.
Related Reading: Ethereum ETF Sees $312M Inflow Before Critical Fusaka Upgrade
Market Reacts to Upcoming Fusaka Network Upgrade
The Ethereum network is preparing for the Fusaka upgrade on December 3. The update aims to improve execution flow and reduce congestion. It could help enhance efficiency and speed on the chain.
This upgrade appears to have been a factor in institutional accumulation. It came at a time when confidence was returning around key technical levels. Traders often react to such updates, expecting changes in performance or usage to affect value.
With technical indicators showing strength and institutions remaining active, Ethereum has stayed above its demand zone. The market’s response to both the ETF outflows and the upcoming upgrade continues to shape ETH’s short-term outlook.
