ETH 15-minute slight decline -0.02%: Liquidation aftermath and on-chain liquidity boost short-term pressure

From 23:00 to 23:15 (UTC) on February 15, 2026, ETH’s candlestick return within the 15-minute window was -0.02%, with the price slightly declining from $1,951.12 to $1,950.73. Although the short-term decline was limited, after a significant prior adjustment, market volatility remains notable, with trading volume staying active, indicating that investors continue to closely monitor market direction changes.

The main driver of this movement is the ongoing impact of the massive liquidation event in early February. Institutions like Trend Research liquidated large leveraged positions held due to ETH falling below $2,000, resulting in approximately $686 million in losses. To repay DeFi lending debts, a large amount of ETH was transferred to a major exchange, creating short-term liquidity pressure. Selling pressure persisted until the 15th, keeping ETH prices under continuous pressure and lacking upward momentum in the short term.

Additionally, on-chain data shows ETH continued to flow into trading platforms after the liquidation peak, with increased balances in exchange hot wallets, reflecting that institutions and large holders are still in a risk mitigation cycle. Meanwhile, as a key market-linked asset, BTC also weakened on the same day, further intensifying ETH’s short-term downside. Overall market sentiment remains cautious, with frequent observations of investors waiting and taking profit or stopping losses; high trading volume and open interest structures also amplify short-term volatility resonance.

Currently, market volatility is significantly higher than historical levels. ETH around $1,950 has initial support but lacks strong rebound momentum. In the short term, attention should be paid to further on-chain liquidation dynamics, key support zone breaches, and large fund flows. Monitoring future volatility, the linkage with major cryptocurrencies, and on-chain liquidation activities can provide references for market trend judgments. For real-time quotes and in-depth attribution analysis, please stay tuned.