Ether Struggles Below $2,500 as Hawkish Fed Signals and ETF Outflows Mount

Ether traded around $2,492.98 on October 9, struggling to hold the $2,500 level amid an eight-day streak of U.S. spot ETF net outflows and macroeconomic headwinds. The decline began after hawkish FOMC minutes indicated another potential interest rate hike before year-end, following a 25 basis point hike in September to 3.75%-4%. The resulting risk-off sentiment triggered a three-day slide, erasing more than $38 billion in market value. Downward pressure was further amplified by $344.85 million in 24-hour futures liquidations and cumulative ETF withdrawals totaling between $580 million and $624 million.