Analyst Michael van de Poppe Predicts Ethereum Cycle: Vitalik's Long-Term Vision vs Current Liquidity Pressure

Ethereum is experiencing volatility as institutions withdraw funds from Spot ETFs. However, amid the market’s sharp decline, co-founder Vitalik Buterin remains focused on a bigger issue: solving the internet content crisis. Analyst Michael van de Poppe’s analysis offers a different perspective: Ethereum’s cycle history may be nearing the end of a sell-off phase before the market reverses.

Ethereum Price Drop Amid Institutional Outflows

Currently, ETH is under strong selling pressure from withdrawals totaling $326 million from Spot ETFs over the past week. According to the latest market data as of February 13, 2026, ETH has gained 3.1% over the past 7 days, but the short-term structure remains broken by selling from institutional investors. At the same time, Bitmine Immersion Technologies is reportedly experiencing unrealized losses of around $6 billion, adding further selling pressure to the market.

Vitalik Buterin: Content Quality Over Quantity

While traders worry about liquidity, Vitalik Buterin emphasizes a fundamental issue: the internet is flooded with cheap, worthless AI-generated content. In his view, we don’t need more incentives to create trash. Instead, the goal should be to highlight high-quality content. He points out that Substack, with its curation and editing model, is more effective than most coin experiments by creators.

Michael van de Poppe’s Analysis: Signals from Cycle History

Analyst Michael van de Poppe suggests that in previous market cycles, Ethereum formed its bottom months before other assets peaked. According to this cycle history, the market may be in its final sell-off stage, where prices could drop an additional 30-40% before reversing. Van de Poppe notes that if history repeats, the next growth phase could see Ethereum outperform Bitcoin by up to 300%.

Meanwhile, Bitcoin is currently priced at $66,700, providing a comparative backdrop for ETH’s growth potential.

Reversal Scenario: From 30-40% Sell-off to 300% Growth

Van de Poppe’s perspective presents a clear scenario: traders must first survive the current liquidity crunch. While Vitalik Buterin is building for a decade ahead, the short-term market remains under pressure from large institutional sell-offs.

The overall picture shows a stark contrast: Bitmine is absorbing $6 billion in losses, ETFs are withdrawing funds, yet Vitalik remains focused on long-term solutions. Will the market follow the outflows from ETFs and continue selling off, or wait for a reversal opportunity suggested by Van de Poppe based on historical cycles? The answer may depend on how investors understand the difference between long-term vision and short-term liquidity pressures.

This information is for reference only and not investment advice. Please conduct your own research before making any decisions.