Trend Research has significantly increased its holdings of Ethereum (ETH), acquiring $35 million worth of the cryptocurrency and raising its total to more than 601,000 ETH, valued at approximately $1.83 billion. This strategic move follows the firm borrowing $958 million in stablecoins from Aave, with an average purchase price around $3,265 per ETH.
Jack Yi, the founder of Trend Research, expressed a bullish outlook for the first half of 2026, indicating plans to continue acquiring ETH as he anticipates a market rebound. Yi”s strategy involves maintaining a maximum position in ETH while also focusing heavily on the WLFI token, which is linked to the Trump family. He views the upcoming year as a favorable period for financial activities transitioning onto the blockchain, with anticipated rate cuts and more supportive regulatory environments for cryptocurrencies.
Despite Trend Research”s aggressive accumulation strategy, there are contrasting predictions from Fundstrat Global Advisors, which has indicated a potential local bottom for ETH around $1,800 in early 2026. They also caution about a significant drawdown during the first half of the year. Fundstrat”s co-founder, Tom Lee, noted that Bitcoin (BTC) may range between $60,000 and $65,000, while Solana (SOL) could fluctuate between $50 and $75, suggesting a possible durable low before a year-end rally.
The positioning of major players in the Ethereum market appears fragmented. Trend Research is committed to continuing its accumulation strategy irrespective of market fluctuations, while BitMine, another significant holder of ETH, is employing a dollar-cost averaging approach. Notably, Trend Research ranks third in total ETH holdings, trailing only BitMine and SharpLink Gaming, which adds weight to its market moves.
Furthermore, derivatives activity indicates a mixed sentiment among investors. According to Nansen, a cohort labeled as “smart money” was net short on ETH by $117 million but increased its long positions by $15 million over a single day, suggesting a potential revival in risk appetite as the market looks toward 2026.
