#深度创作营 2026 ETH: Retail investors panic sell, institutions buy against the trend. This could be the golden opportunity at the cycle bottom!

Markets always turn at points of divergence. In 2026, Ethereum is playing out a classic scene: retail investors are caught in short-term volatility and panic, while institutions continue to accumulate at lows. The return of ETF funds, corporate treasury allocations, and deep adoption by traditional finance all signal that ETH is at the beginning of a value revaluation.

Currently, market sentiment has hit rock bottom. Short-term corrections have led many investors to exit. But data never lies: Ethereum spot ETF inflows have been steadily recovering, with weekly net inflows increasing. Institutions are using real money to correct pessimistic expectations. Corporate treasury and professional asset management firms are accumulating heavily at lows, holding over ten million ETH worth more than $4.6 billion, making ETH a core asset in their portfolios. Unlike retail investors chasing highs and selling lows, institutions focus on long-term positioning. Accumulating at lows is a typical feature before a cycle reversal.

Ethereum’s core value has long surpassed the realm of crypto-native assets and has become a fundamental infrastructure for digitalization in traditional finance.

In 2026, the tokenization of real-world assets (RWA) will explode. Over 35 top financial institutions worldwide are issuing tokenized bonds, funds, and equities on Ethereum. The total on-chain RWA value has surpassed $220 billion, with about 65% operating on the Ethereum network. From stablecoin settlements to asset tokenization, Ethereum is becoming the on-chain gateway for trillions of dollars in traditional capital. This ecosystem barrier cannot be replaced.

On-chain data also supports the long-term logic: Ethereum staking exceeds 36 million ETH, with a staking rate approaching 30%. A large portion of tokens are locked long-term, easing selling pressure in the secondary market.

The Ethereum Foundation is shifting towards staking for yield, no longer selling native assets, further stabilizing market expectations. The maturity of Layer 2 ecosystems and network upgrades have significantly optimized transaction costs and efficiency, removing barriers to large-scale commercial use. Ecosystem activity and user base are steadily growing.

Data shows that keywords like “ETH investment,” “institutional accumulation,” and “tokenization” are trending higher, indicating market attention is shifting from emotional hype to fundamental value.

Panic stems from short-term volatility, but opportunities arise from long-term trends. The willingness of institutions to go against the trend reflects their confidence in Ethereum’s transformation from a “crypto asset” to the “underlying asset of digital finance.”

2026 is not the end for ETH but the beginning of the institutional era. Short-term volatility is risk release, and also a window for strategic accumulation.

When retail investors exit in fear, institutions enter with certainty. The winners of this cycle will ultimately be long-term believers who understand the trend and stay committed to value.