Ethereum flows into Binance as ETFs increase – Will $3250 be the game changer?

Ethereum has seen significant growth recently, with the price climbing above $3,100 and posting a 5.80% gain over the past week. This rise comes after a period of volatility at the end of 2025, which saw ETH briefly drop below the $3,000 mark. However, trading activity has increased since then, driven by strong exchange flows and continued demand from spot exchange-traded funds.

Market participants have been closely monitoring these shifts, as movements of capital often indicate changes in short-term positions and liquidity. The sudden change in behavior has led many to question what triggered it.

In December 2025, data from CryptoQuant revealed that Ethereum experienced a significant inflow of $960 million to Binance. This marked the largest monthly inflow to the exchange since July and reversed a trend of decreasing or negative net flows that had persisted from July to November. This influx of Ethereum onto Binance suggests increased trading activity, portfolio adjustments, or preparation for market volatility.

The substantial amount of ETH flowing into Binance in December was well above recent monthly averages and signified a significant shift in exchange-related behavior. In addition to the exchange flows, spot Ethereum ETFs also attracted fresh capital at the beginning of 2026. On January 2, Ethereum spot ETFs saw a combined net inflow of $174 million, with Grayscale’s Ethereum Trust ETF leading the way with $53.7 million in daily inflows.

Despite historical net outflows, the Grayscale Ethereum Mini Trust ETF received $50 million in new capital, bringing its cumulative inflows to $1.538 billion. The total net assets held across Ethereum spot ETFs now amount to $19.046 billion, accounting for an ETF net asset ratio of 5.06% relative to Ethereum’s total market capitalization. Cumulative historical net inflows across all Ethereum spot ETFs have exceeded $12.502 billion, indicating sustained institutional involvement.

The surge in investment flows into Ethereum coincides with ongoing attention on network upgrades and technical signals. Developers have planned the Pectra and Fusaka upgrades to enhance scalability and reduce transaction fees, capturing investor interest in Ethereum’s long-term network development.

On the technical front, ETH surpassed the $3,000 level as the relative strength index indicated a buy signal. Market data suggests that $3,250 is a critical technical threshold, with potential to confirm a broader trend shift if breached. Long-term price forecasts, including Tom Lee’s projected range of $7,000 to $9,000 for 2026, continue to circulate among market participants.

This convergence of exchange inflows, ETF demand, and technical recovery has refocused attention on Ethereum in the market. The question remains whether these signals will shape the next phase of trading activity, with the coming weeks likely offering more clarity.