Ethereum News: CLARITY Act Could Be Delayed Again- How Will ETH React?

Ethereum is holding steady above the $2,500 mark, but it isn't showing the same strength Bitcoin flashed earlier this week. ETH trades near $2,520.76, up 5.15% over the past day, as traders wait to see if the rally has more room to run.

Crypto prices are cooling off a bit on Friday. Bitcoin is still parked above $80,000, and most of the market is taking a breather after a strong stretch of gains.

This roundup of Ethereum news today covers the price action, whale moves, ETF flows, and where the Ethereum price forecast stands heading into next week.

Ethereum News Today: Quick Summary

Here's what's driving ETH news today in a few lines:

• ETH price is up 5.15%, trading near $2,520.76

• A large whale exited a $408 million ETH position

• Ethereum ETFs pulled in $141 million in net inflows

• Short sellers got squeezed, with $92.96 million in short liquidations

• Traders are watching whether ETH can close above $2,550

Why Is Ethereum Price Up Today?

Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller said Thursday he could support holding interest rates steady at the next Fed meeting if inflation keeps cooling. That single comment gave Bitcoin and other risk assets a fresh lift.

The move followed a run of soft jobs data. Weekly jobless claims landed at 206,000, slightly above what economists expected. ADP private payroll numbers were even weaker, showing just 38,000 new jobs against a forecast of 47,000.

Weak labor numbers usually raise hopes for lower interest rates down the road. And lower rates tend to push more money into riskier assets, including crypto.

Not every data point pointed to a slowdown, though. The ISM Services Index came in at 55.4, beating the 54.3 forecast. That tells us the services side of the economy is still expanding even as hiring slows.

What Are the Odds of a Fed Rate Cut in September?

According to CME Group's FedWatch tool, markets now see almost a 50% chance the Fed holds rates steady at its September 16, 2026 meeting. That's up from about 40% just a day earlier.

How Will the Unemployment Rate Impact Crypto Prices Today?

US unemployment data is set to drop today at 8:30 AM ET, and traders are watching this release closely. The previous reading was 4.1%, and the forecast also sits at 4.1%.

Here's how the market tends to react based on the outcome:

A higher-than-expected unemployment rate usually raises hopes for rate cuts, which tends to help risk assets like Ethereum. A lower rate can do the opposite, since it signals a stronger economy and less pressure on the Fed to ease policy.

The reminder came alongside a short clip of a Federal Reserve official speaking at a podium ahead of the release, underlining just how closely markets are tracking this number today.

Friday's jobs report is the next big test for markets. A weak print could add more fuel to the current rally.

Is the CLARITY Act Getting Closer to Passing in the Senate?

Away from price charts, a regulatory update is also shaping sentiment around crypto this week.

The National Sheriffs' Association has dropped its opposition to the CLARITY Act, a piece of legislation aimed at setting clear rules for digital asset regulation.

The group's concerns over crypto-related crime had been one of the obstacles holding the bill back in the Senate.

In a letter to Senate leadership dated September 3, 2026, the association said it recognizes that the CLARITY Act seeks to establish a regulatory framework for market structure, and that it is stepping aside from its prior opposition given the complexity of the legislation and the number of important details still under consideration.

The letter was addressed to Senate Majority Leader John Thune and Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer, and was signed by Sheriff Trey Wolfman of Moody County, South Dakota, and Justin Smith, Executive Director and CEO of the National Sheriffs' Association. A copy was also sent to Patrick Witt, Executive Director of the President's Council of Advisors on Digital Assets.

Clearer regulation is often seen as a positive for the broader crypto market, including Ethereum, since it can open the door to more institutional participation.

What Is Happening With Ethereum Whales Right Now?

Whale activity around Ethereum has been mixed this week, and that's worth watching closely.

One Ethereum whale sold 167,855 ETH, worth roughly $408 million, over five days, fully closing out its position. Despite that large sale, ETH price recovered and pushed back above $2,500, gaining 4.3% in 24 hours.

At the same time, Invesco ETF clients kept buying. They've added about $167 million in ETH since March 2026. Abraxas Capital also picked up 16,554 ETH, worth close to $40 million, while still holding large short positions elsewhere.

A suspected $1.7 million exploit tied to Notional Finance also surfaced this week, with the stolen funds converted into ETH. These mixed signals show large holders are not all moving in the same direction right now.

Are Ethereum ETFs Seeing Inflows?

Yes. As per SoSoValue data, Ethereum spot ETFs saw $141 million in net inflows on the same day. BlackRock's ETHA fund led the pack with roughly $72.07 million of that total.

That kind of institutional demand often acts as a floor under price, even when whale selling creates short-term pressure.

Ethereum Derivatives Data: What Do Futures and Liquidations Show?

Ethereum's derivatives market is buzzing right now. As per CoinGlass data, ETH is trading at $2,520.76, up 5.15%, with a market cap of $308.18 billion.

Here's a quick snapshot of the derivatives picture:

The overall long/short ratio sits slightly bullish at 1.0346. Binance traders show an even stronger long bias, with a long/short accounts ratio of 2.2268 and a top trader position ratio of 1.7439.

Liquidation data tells a clearer story. Over the past 24 hours, short liquidations hit $92.96 million, far outpacing $22.18 million in long liquidations.

That gap suggests the recent Ethereum price rise caught a lot of short sellers off guard, forcing them to close positions and adding fuel to the move higher.

ETH Price Prediction: Will ETH Reach $3,000 in September 2026?

ETH is forming a bullish flag pattern on the daily chart after breaking out of the $1,850 to $1,900 zone earlier this year.

Price is now consolidating between $2,500 and $2,550, with the rising 20-day EMA near $2,350 acting as dynamic support underneath.

A daily close above $2,550 could open the door to the next leg higher, toward the $2,800 to $3,000 zone. The measured move from the flag pattern points to an extended target somewhere around $3,150 to $3,250.

ETH has already tapped the $2,550 resistance level and got rejected once. If Ethereum manages a weekly close above $2,550, a quicker move toward $3,000 becomes more likely.

On the downside, if ETH loses the $2,350 to $2,400 support zone, the bullish setup weakens. That would raise the odds of a deeper pullback before any next attempt higher.

Ethereum Price Prediction Summary Table

ETH Price Forecast: What Should Traders Watch Next?

For traders following the ETH price forecast day to day, two events matter most right now: Friday's US jobs report and the September 16 Fed meeting.

A weak jobs number could push more traders to bet on a rate hold, which has historically helped risk assets like Ethereum. A stronger-than-expected report could do the opposite and cool the current rally.

The Bottom Line

Ethereum is walking a fine line right now. Whale selling, ETF inflows, and Fed rate speculation are all pulling in different directions at once.

The chart structure still favors buyers as long as ETH holds above the $2,350 support zone. A clean weekly close above $2,550 would strengthen the case for a run at $3,000, but traders should watch Friday's jobs report and next week's Fed decision closely, since either could shift momentum fast.

Disclaimer

This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial or investment advice. Cryptocurrency markets are highly volatile, and prices can rise or fall sharply within short periods. Always conduct your own research and consult a licensed financial advisor before making any investment decisions. Past performance is not indicative of future results.