A
AAFX.IO
Markets, Explained
Compare Platforms
Home  /  Crypto  /  Ethereum Price Forecast: $2,440 Holds Above $2,400 After…
Crypto

Ethereum Price Forecast: $2,440 Holds Above $2,400 After 25-Bps Fed Hike Now

Ethereum holds above $2,400 after the Fed raises rates 25 bps.

AA
Arslan Ali Butt
Editor at AAFX.IO
Sep 18, 2026
Updated Sep 18, 2026
Ethereum Price Forecast: $2,440 Holds Above $2,400 After 25-Bps Fed Hike Now

Ethereum is holding above $2,400 after absorbing two major market events: the Federal Reserve’s 25-basis-point rate increase and the failure of the CLARITY Act to advance in the U.S. Senate. ETH was around $2,440 in the latest market analysis, while buying activity across spot and derivatives markets improved after Tuesday’s selling pressure. The price has also reclaimed the $2,431 area and its 20-day EMA, keeping the near-term structure supported.

Fed Hike Fails to Shake ETH

The Federal Reserve raised its federal funds target range to 3.75%-4.00% on September 16, marking its first increase since 2023. The decision was unanimous, and the latest projections showed that most policymakers expect another rate increase before the end of 2026.

Higher interest rates generally create a tougher environment for speculative assets because they increase the relative appeal of yield-bearing investments. Ethereum nevertheless remained above $2,400, suggesting that the rate decision had already been substantially anticipated by markets.

The regulatory backdrop also failed to produce a lasting breakdown. The CLARITY Act fell short of the 60 votes needed to advance in the Senate, but the outcome had been widely expected and ETH’s initial decline was limited.

The market’s response is visible in exchange-flow data. More than 152,000 ETH flowed out of exchanges on Tuesday, the largest daily outflow since June in the cited CryptoQuant data. Exchange outflows can indicate that coins are being moved away from venues where they are immediately available for trading.

  • ETH price: Around $2,440
  • Fed target range: 3.75%-4.00%
  • Key support: $2,431
  • Immediate resistance: $2,544

ETH Flows and Technical Levels

Derivatives indicators also improved after the initial selloff. The Taker Buy Sell Ratio moved back into positive territory, indicating stronger market-buy activity after briefly weakening on Tuesday. Open interest remained near 13 million ETH, while funding rates returned to positive territory.

Ethereum Chart – Source: Tradingview

Liquidation data show how sharply positioning changed. Ethereum recorded about $221 million in liquidations on Tuesday, with long positions accounting for 88%. Over the following 24 hours, liquidations fell to about $87.6 million, with short liquidations contributing $45.4 million.

The main area of weakness remains U.S. spot Ethereum ETFs. The products recorded $224.1 million in net outflows Wednesday after $141.4 million left on Tuesday, creating a second consecutive day of institutional withdrawals.

Technically, ETH has recovered the $2,431 horizontal level and the 20-day EMA. The RSI at 53 shows balanced momentum, while the Stochastic reading near 26 indicates that the market is consolidating rather than operating at extreme levels.

The next upside barriers are $2,544, followed by $2,626 and $2,786. On the downside, support sits near the 50-day and 200-day EMAs at $2,282 and $2,269, followed by $2,172, the 100-day EMA at $2,163 and $1,961.

Conclusion:

Ethereum is holding above $2,400 despite a restrictive Fed backdrop and the Senate setback for the CLARITY Act. Exchange outflows, improving derivatives positioning and the recovery of $2,431 show that buyers remain active, although consecutive ETF outflows add a counterweight. Technically, $2,544 is the first major resistance, while $2,431 remains the immediate support. A sustained move above $2,626 would bring $2,786 into focus, whereas a loss of $2,431 would shift attention toward the $2,282-$2,269 support band.

Sources & Methodology

Primary-source standard: Market-moving facts should link to original data releases, regulator notices, company filings or official project announcements whenever available. Secondary reporting is used for additional context, not as a substitute for original evidence.

Page last reviewed:

Market information only: This article is for informational and educational purposes and does not constitute investment advice. Trading and investing involve risk, including possible loss of capital. Verify current prices and terms before making financial decisions.
Want to trade this move?
Compare regulated brokers with tight spreads and fast execution. Start trading with a broker that fits your strategy.
Compare Brokers →
AA
Arslan Ali Butt
Arslan Ali Butt is the founder and Lead Market Analyst at AAFX.io, with more than a decade of experience covering forex, cryptocurrencies, commodities, equities, and global macroeconomic trends. He holds an MBA in Finance and an MPhil in Behavioral Finance, combining academic research with practical market experience in technical analysis, dealing-desk operations, risk management, market sentiment, and trading psychology. Since 2014, Arslan has produced data-driven market analysis, price forecasts, trading education, and live webinars for international audiences. His research and commentary have been published by FXEmpire, FXLeaders, FXStreet, TradingKey, Cryptonews, KuCoin Learn, InsideBitcoins, Business2Community, ForexCrunch, EconomyWatch, ACY Securities, and FlowBank. Through AAFX.io, he provides independent, transparent, and clearly sourced market news and analysis designed to help readers understand financial markets and make better-informed decisions.
View all articles →
Get real-time news alerts and trade signals — Join our Telegram community →
Publisher clarification: AAFX.IO is an independent financial news publisher and is not affiliated with AAFX Trading or any similarly named forex broker.