Ethereum vs. Bitcoin: ETH price poised for 80% rally in 2026

cointelegraphPublished on 2025-12-11Last updated on 2025-12-11

Abstract

Ethereum's Ether (ETH) could surge over 80% against Bitcoin (BTC) in 2026, according to a bullish inverse head-and-shoulders pattern forming on its long-term chart. The pattern suggests a potential rise toward 0.059–0.063 BTC. This mirrors a similar 2019-2020 accumulation phase that preceded a 450% rally. However, ETH remains constrained by a multi-year descending trendline that has capped gains since 2017. A rejection at this resistance could invalidate the bullish setup and trigger a decline back to 0.0175 BTC support. The analysis highlights both the optimistic scenario and key risks, emphasizing that the long-term downtrend against Bitcoin is not yet definitively broken.

Ethereum’s Ether (ETH) token may rally by over 80% versus Bitcoin (BTC) in 2026, according to a classic bullish reversal scenario developing on its long-term charts.

Key points:

ETH/BTC charts point to a potential move toward 0.059–0.063 BTC in 2026.
Rejection at the long-term trendline could send the pair back toward 0.0175 BTC.

Ether price chart hints at 80% rally versus Bitcoin

As of December, ETH/BTC’s 2-week chart displayed a textbook inverse head-and-shoulders (IH&S) formation, a classic bullish reversal pattern that typically follows prolonged downtrends.

*ETH/BTC two-week chart. Source: TradingView*

The pattern’s left shoulder formed during late-2024 weakness, followed by an aggressive capitulation in April 2025 that carved out the head around 0.0176 BTC. This subsequent recovery established a higher low in Q4 2025, forming the right shoulder.

The neckline was around 0.0400 BTC, situated between the 50-period (red) and 200-period (blue) exponential moving averages (EMAs).

Related: Ethereum rising to $3.3K proves bottom is in: Is 100% ETH rally next?

A decisive breakout above this zone will likely confirm the IH&S pattern, paving the way for a measured move toward 0.063 BTC in 2026.

This upside target was up 80% from the ETH/BTC rates recorded as of Thursday.

Can ETH copy its 450% parabolic move from 2020?

ETH/BTC’s current rebound closely mirrored the breakout that followed its 2019-2020 accumulation phase.

The pair rallied nearly 450% after bottoming within the same 0.0160–0.0200 BTC demand zone.

Ether’s 2025 recovery originated from this identical structural floor, and price is now pressing into the same early-stage resistance cluster (represented via red circles in the chart above) that preceded the 2020 parabolic expansion.

ETH/BTC could climb toward the 0.059 BTC Fibonacci zone, a level consistent with the IH&S breakout trajectory heading into 2026, if this fractal continues to play out.

Ethereum is still in a downtrend vs. Bitcoin

However, the ETH bulls will have to prove that the long-term downtrend is actually over.

Ether remains capped by a multiyear descending trendline that has rejected every breakout attempt against Bitcoin since 2017.

A fresh failure at this barrier would undermine the IH&S and fractal setups and raise the risk of a pullback toward the long-standing 0.0175 BTC support in 2026.

This article does not contain investment advice or recommendations. Every investment and trading move involves risk, and readers should conduct their own research when making a decision. While we strive to provide accurate and timely information, Cointelegraph does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information in this article. This article may contain forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Cointelegraph will not be liable for any loss or damage arising from your reliance on this information.

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