How to tell if ETH whale de-risking is consolidation or a pre-crash signal?

Something quiet is happening under ETH’s surface…

Large #ETH holders aren’t panic selling — they’re de-risking. After strong moves, whales are trimming leveraged longs, rotating portions into stables, and adding hedges. This isn’t fear; it’s position management.

When leverage comes off the table, liquidation risk drops. Volatility often compresses, and price action shifts from expansion to digestion. These phases usually shake out late entrants before the market chooses continuation or a broader range.

The key takeaway: whale de-risking tends to precede consolidation or a cleaner trend structure — not an immediate crash. Weak hands get tested first; patient capital waits for confirmation.

Trade Thought / Decision Framework
This is a decision zone, not a signal. Watch how price reacts at key support, volume behavior, and funding normalization. Acceptance supports continuation; failure suggests deeper range work. Risk control matters more than prediction here.

Question:
Do you see this as healthy cooling, or early signs of a larger reset? What levels define confirmation vs failure for you?
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