Is It Too Late to Buy Ethereum at $2,724 With ETH Still 45% Below Its High?

• ETH-USD
• BTC-USD

Quick Read

• ETH trades at $2,724, still 45% below its all-time high despite a 7% monthly gain and a 40% annual decline.

• Ethereum ETFs hold only $18 billion versus Bitcoin ETFs’ $109 billion, reflecting weaker institutional demand behind ETH’s steeper underperformance.

• Layer 2 networks slow ETH’s burn mechanism by diverting main-chain fees, while Blast’s collapse from $2.2 billion signals real danger in the space.

• Building a portfolio and living off one are two completely different skills, and almost nobody teaches the second. This problem is what The Definitive Guide to Retirement Income helps, and it is free today. Read more here. (Sponsor)

Ethereum (CRYPTO: ETH) has risen 7% over the past month, reaching $2,724 as of October 5, 2026, up 2.7% this week. This uptick has led many potential buyers to wonder: is it too late to invest in Ethereum? Despite this recent rally, ETH is still trading about 45% lower than its all-time high of $4,946

When you look at the bigger picture, the situation doesn’t look as rosy. Over the past year, Ethereum has dropped about 40%, meaning this month’s gains have recovered only a small portion of that decline. So, the critical question remains: is this resurgence the beginning of a recovery or merely a temporary pause in a downward trend?

Ethereum Has Lagged Bitcoin Over the Past Year

In the past year, Ethereum has significantly lagged behind Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC). Bitcoin has dropped 30%, currently trading about 32% below its peak of $126,080. In contrast, Ethereum’s decline has been steeper, falling 40% over the same period and now sitting 45% below its record high.

This discrepancy indicates that investing in ETH carries more risk but offers less reward. Currently, U.S. spot Bitcoin funds hold around $109 billion, while Ethereum funds hold only about $18 billion, highlighting a lack of consistent support for ETH.

Blast’s Shutdown Shows How Layer 2 Networks Drain Demand for ETH

Now Available: The Definitive Guide to Retirement Income

Many successful investors eventually reach the same moment. The saving is done, the portfolio is built, and the question quietly changes from how much can I grow this to how much can I take out? Get that second question wrong and decades of good investing can come apart in a handful of years.

That is exactly what The Definitive Guide to Retirement Income helps answer. It covers what your retirement could actually cost, which incomeher the money lasts. It is free today from Fisher Investments. Read More Here ›

Source: finance.yahoo.com